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Barbara “BG” Goldstein, ambassador-at-large at the Hadassah Offices in Israel, was one of four prominent “Leading Women in Zionism” honored at a special event marking International Women’s Day.
The event, a collaboration between Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael-Jewish National Fund (KKL-JNF), Hadassah and other women's organizations Emunah, Women's International Zionist Organization (WIZO) and Na'amat, took place in Airport City, Israel, on April 29 — delayed due to the Israel-Iran war.
In recognition of her significant contributions to Zionist work, Israeli society and the Jewish people, Goldstein, who also serves on the boards of the World Zionist Organization and KKL-JNF, received a commendation award. She is a long-time activist in promoting Zionist and educational activities in Israel and the Jewish world.
“The holding of this evening, even if at a later date than planned, underscores the supreme importance we attach to honoring women’s leadership in Israel,” said KKL-JNF Chair Eyal Ostrinsky. “The four women we have chosen to recognize are pioneering Zionist leaders who have reached the highest positions in their respective organizations and, alongside that, have served in senior roles in the Knesset, the government and the Zionist movement. They represent extensive Zionist, social and educational activity, and each of them has led, initiated and left a significant mark on Israeli society and the Jewish world. We are proud of the strong partnership with women’s organizations, and we invited the general public to come and join us in paying tribute to women’s strength and spirit."
The evening concluded with a performance by famed Israeli actress and singer Miri Mesika.
Goldstein was born and raised in New Jersey, and she made aliyah in 1998.
She is a past national Hadassah vice president and a former national president of Hadassah’s Junior Hadassah. Goldstein chaired Youth Aliyah, two national conventions and the departments of Hadassah Travel and Tourism, Jewish Education, Programming, Aliyah and Soviet Jewry. She is also a past president of the Southern New Jersey region.
Goldstein was a member of the Cabinet of the American Zionist Movement and served as a commissioner on the Joint Authority for Jewish and Zionist Education. She has also proudly served as a delegate at eight World Zionist Congresses in Jerusalem. She has represented Hadassah on the boards of Hadassah Neurim Youth Aliyah Village, Meir Shfeyah Youth Aliyah Village, the World Zionist Organization, Keren Kayemeth and the Prime Minister’s Special Commission on the Legacy of Theodor Herzl. As a dynamic speaker, she has devoted her life to promoting Zionist/Jewish education and love of Israel.
Goldstein was honored during the 63rd anniversary of Israel’s Independence Day and lit one of the 12 torches at the national ceremony on Mount Herzl. She represented Hadassah for its Zionist work on the eve of the Hadassah Centennial.
She has three children and is a proud savta (grandmother) of five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
