ICYMI: Israel at War: Hadassah Briefing [with Video]

Hadassah leaders in the US and Israel gave a live briefing on June 18 about Hadassah’s response to the unfolding crisis in Israel. They spoke about the current state on the ground at Hadassah hospitals and the Meir Shfeyah and Hadassah Neurim Youth Aliyah villages, as well as anticipated needs for urgent support.

“An organization is not made by its infrastructure, it’s made by its people,” said Prof. Yoram Weiss, paying tribute to the workers, nurses and physicians at Hadassah hospitals in Israel who  seamlessly transitioned patients to Hadassah's underground hospitals, safe from missile fire.

“We have only 240 beds, maybe 300, that are really available in protected areas,” he said,  stressing the need for more.

Executive Director of the Hadassah Offices in Israel Suzanne Patt Benvenisti spoke of how civilians and hospital staff are juggling the war’s impact on their families as everyday life comes to a standstill every time the sirens go off.  

"This situation is very, very different from the previous missile attacks from Iran and the Houthis and Hezbollah. There is so much more destruction, several casualties, hundreds of injuries already," said Hadassah National President Carol Ann Schwartz. "I want to impress upon you that Hadassah stands prepared in wartime and in peace."

Schwartz stressed that donor support is needed to complete and equip the Sheltered Surgical Pavilion; support specialized operating rooms for trauma and complex care; strengthen emergency readiness; provide critical care in underground hospitals and protect at-risk youth at Hadassah's Youth Aliyah villages.

She said every gift at this time — large or small — ensures that Hadassah can continue to operate at full strength, under fire and on the front lines of healing.