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Unlike many women’s leadership conferences that feature women who have achieved successful careers far afield from the lives of the participants, Hadassah’s first annual women’s conference, sponsored by Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America, and Keren Kayemet LeIsrael – Jewish National Fund (KKL-JNF), focused on leadership within the Hadassah Medical Organization (HMO). In the footsteps of Hadassah founder Henrietta Szold, the conference, Her Vision, Our Mission, highlighted dedication, leadership and the ability of Hadassah’s female professionals to overcome significant barriers. Over 320 women took part in the December 31 conference, which was followed by a salute to Hadassah hospitals’ staff — a concert featuring Israeli megastars singer Yuval Raphael from Israel’s Eurovision and Idan Amedi, singer and star of Fauda.
"When Henrietta Szold and her fellow women Zionists decided to found Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America, in 1912, they didn’t ask for permission," said Hadassah National President Carol Ann Schwartz. "Against the expectations of organizations led by men, these volunteers — our great-grandmothers, grandmothers and mothers — built institutions that shape Israel today. Success requires boldness, dedication to values and a measure of chutzpah. It also means prudent partnership. Our partnership with KKL-JNF reflects our shared belief in the invaluable worth of investing in Israel and its ecology, health and resilience. We thank you for your continuing support and collaboration."
Schwartz shared the podium with HMO Board Chair Dalia Itzik, who grew up among eight siblings in a poor neighborhood of Jerusalem, worked as a maid from the age of 8 and served as a Knesset member, government minister and Israel’s only woman speaker of the Knesset.
The heart of the evening was a film and panel featuring four Hadassah Medical Organization staff members who, like Itzik, have surmounted extraordinary challenges to become successful professionals. They shared their personal stories and the strategies that helped them balance home and career, overcome fear of failure and fulfill their dreams.
Freed hostage Danielle Aloni recounted her harrowing experience fleeing a burning safe room on Kibbutz Be’eri and being held captive with her 5-year-old daughter, Emilia, in Hamas tunnels for 49 days. Before October 7, 2023, Aloni was struggling with depression. Faced with the need to protect her daughter and herself, she summoned inner strength, faith and creative parenting in determination to survive. "I told Emilia that every day we were in the tunnels was a day bringing us closer to freedom. The hope, faith and strength I chose to convey to her ultimately gave me faith, hope and strength. When things get hard, lift up your head; don’t hold up your hands in surrender."
Dr. Esi Sharon Sagie, director of the Oral Rehabilitation Graduate Program, described her agonizing volunteer work for the Israeli police as head of the dental forensic unit in charge of identifying deceased soldiers, hostages and even Hamas terrorist Yahya Sinwar. She honored four other women on her team in the audience: “The people who work with me are like family. We are each other's strength,” she said. The majority of the dentists on the forensic team were HMO dental experts.
Concluded Schwartz, "There are always hurdles in the journey. Today we have learned from the wisdom and experience of women leaders of the Hadassah Medical Organization. We salute all of you for your talents, industry, strength and determination. As we band together, we will grow, too, and make sure our institutions and communities grow stronger. I stretch out my hand and the hands of the 300,000 members and supporters in the United States and around the world to you, the women of the Hadassah Medical Organization. Together, as Henrietta Szold taught us, we must dream big."
