Hadassah On The Hill: Day of Impact

At a time of rising antisemitism in the United States and ongoing tensions in the Middle East, nearly 200 Hadassah leaders from across the country gathered in Washington, DC, for Hadassah On The Hill: Day of Impact, meeting directly with members of Congress and their staff to advocate for Hadassah’s key policy priorities.

“Our advocacy has never been more important,” said Hadassah National President Carol Ann Schwartz. “When we advocate, we carry with us the voices of all of our Hadassah members — and all who came before us — to ensure Jewish and Zionist women everywhere have a seat at the table.”

Advocates represented Hadassah’s 300,000 members, donors, Associates and supporters nationwide in over 100 congressional meetings with offices from across the political spectrum, elevating the voices of Jewish and Zionist women. Hadassah advocates urged lawmakers to support and strengthen the US-Israel relationship, confront antisemitism and advance women’s health research and policies — core priorities of Hadassah.

“It was extremely powerful advocating with our Hadassah army, and we thank everyone for speaking up with conviction and passion! I’m proud to advocate with all of them,” said Hadassah On The Hill Co-Chair Jill Bernhardt Goldstone.

During their meetings on Capitol Hill, Hadassah advocates highlighted several legislative priorities central to the organization’s mission, such as expanding funding for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program, a vital federal program that helps protect synagogues, Jewish community centers and other nonprofits at risk of terrorist attacks and hate crimes.“It is our moral responsibility to show up and meet with our elected officials,” emphasized National Advocacy Team Liaison Kathy Hershfield. “If we don’t educate them, who will?”

Advocates also stressed the importance of a strong US-Israel relationship and its mutual benefits, especially given the current conflict in the Middle East. Hadassah urged lawmakers to support US-Israel security partnerships that enhance bilateral cooperation to protect both countries by co-sponsoring the US-Israel FUTURES Act and the US-Israel Defense Partnership Act. Leaders raised advances at the Hadassah Medical Organization’s groundbreaking hospitals in Israel, encouraging support for medical innovation and collaboration between the US and Israel with the MIRACLE Medical Technology Act and the BIRD Health Act, which would promote joint medical research and development.

At the same time, advocates stressed the importance of federal investment in women’s health research. Advocates emphasized the need for greater research funding to study conditions that disproportionately or differentially affect women and for stronger protections for personal reproductive health data.

“To see Hadassah en masse back on the Hill was awesome,” said American Affairs Advocacy Chair Debby Mazon. “We were reminded that when we speak together with one voice, it shows the power of Hadassah, and that was inspiring.”

"The highlight for me in a day of one incredible moment after another was having lunch in the Kennedy Senate Caucus Room and being addressed by four impressive US senators,” said National Advocacy Team Chair Lin Pomerantz.

Hadassah’s lunch program featured Senators Jacky Rosen (D-NV), a Hadassah life member; James Lankford (R-OK); Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), and Elissa Slotkin (D-MI). The senators spoke about their critical work to combat both antisemitism and anti-Zionism and champion women’s health. The speakers’ insights offered a sense of strength and motivation, reminding everyone about the importance of Hadassah’s advocacy, especially given the current atmosphere around antisemitism and ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

“Hearing from senators on both sides of the aisle about their commitment to the issues that are so dear to Hadassah is incredibly heartening and reminds us exactly why our advocacy is so important,” said Hadassah CEO Ellen Finkelstein. “When we contribute to the existing dialogue and open new conversations, we make it clear that these issues are real and require action.”

Hadassah On The Hill: Day of Impact reflects the strength of Hadassah’s Advocacy Team and network of national, regional and local leaders working together to mobilize members in all 50 states to advance issues that are central to Hadassah’s organizational mission. By coming together on Capitol Hill, Hadassah leaders demonstrated the power of Jewish women’s voices in shaping public policy and addressing the critical issues facing both the United States and Israel today.

“Thank you, Hadassah, for creating such moments to highlight collective, powerful and consistent voices as a force for good in a tumultuous and frightening world,” Hadassah On The Hill Co-Chair Joyce Laiter reflected.

This powerful, inspiring day is only one of the countless opportunities to advocate with Hadassah at the federal, state and municipal levels. Anyone interested in doing more can coordinate with their regions and engage with email actions from the National Advocacy Team.

The day on the Hill followed Hadassah’s National Assembly, where leaders adopted two new policy statements: Disarming Hamas as a Crucial Step to Lasting Peace and Supporting Women’s Health Research and Data Privacy. These policy statements reaffirm Hadassah’s longstanding commitment to Israel’s security and the self-determination of the Jewish people, as well as the importance of expanding research, inclusive clinical trials and privacy protections in women’s healthcare.

What You Can Do:

• Read Hadassah National President Carol Ann Schwartz’s op-ed in JNS
• Read Hadassah’s news release and media coverage in JNS, eJewish Philanthropy, San Diego Jewish World, The Jewish Standard, New Jersey Jewish News
• Watch the executive director of the Hadassah Offices in Israel in a feature on Israel’s Channel 14 news
• Read what Hadassah advocates participating in the Hadassah Writer’s Circle had to say about the day: I Got Called Ma'am During Hadassah's Day on the Hill
• Read Hadassah’s new policy statements on Disarming Hamas as a Crucial Step to Lasting Peace and Supporting Women's Health Research and Data Privacy
• Sign up for Hadassah’s email newsletters and advocacy alerts and check the National Action Center directly for policy updates and opportunities for action
• Contact advocacy@hadassah.org if you are interested in getting more involved in Hadassah’s advocacy efforts in your community
• Read what Hadassah advocates participating in the Hadassah Writer’s Circle had to say about the day: I Got Called Ma'am During Hadassah's Day on the Hill | When We Show Up, We Change Things - My Hadassah Experience in Washington, D.C. | Advocacy Calls - Hadassah Answers