Since our founding in 1912, Hadassah women have played an enormous role in American Jewish history. May is Jewish American Heritage Month -- and we're shining a spotlight on just a few examples of the ways we've made a difference here in the United States, a complement to our powerful impact in Israel and around the world.
From mobilizing Americans during World War II, to building support for Israel, from advocating for women’s health equity and reproductive rights to helping pass the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) and the Never Again Education Act, Hadassah has been a strong voice -- often for those who most need one.
- 1912: Henrietta Szold concludes that "the time is ripe for a large organization of women Zionists” and founds the Hadassah Chapter of Daughters of Zion, which holds our first meeting at New York City’s Temple Emanu-El on February 24. In 1914, the organization is renamed Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America. Szold serves as Hadassah’s first president until1921.
- 1915: Under the mentorship of of her friend Henrietta Szold, Zionist and poet Jesse Sampter organizes and directs Hadassah’s School of Zionism, training leaders for Zionist girls’ clubs and adult speakers for Hadassah and other Zionist organizations. "To further disseminate the Zionist message," Sampter composed 'propaganda' (educational) manuals with Alice Seligsberg and edited a textbook on Zionism that went through three editions," according to the Jewish Women's Archive.
- 1942: In February Hadassah pledges full support for the American war effort during World War II, establishing blood banks, selling war bonds, volunteering -- ultimately raising over $2 million in bonds, making Hadassah the fifth-largest contributor to the war activities that year.
- 1946: Hadassah National President Judith Epstein testifies before the Anglo-American Board of Inquiry to persuade the British to open Palestine to Jewish refugees. Hadassah's statement to the board stressed Hadassah's commitment to serving all, regardless of religion or nationality.
- 1951: At the 23rd Zionist Congress, National President Rose Halprin, speaking for American Zionists, characterizes American Jewry as different from any preceding Jewish collective, reflecting the American value of seeing the United States as distinct from its Old World precursors and from other nations.
- 1960: Hadassah Magazine replaces the monthly newsletter Hadassah Headlines, reaching a readership of over 1 million by 1977.
- 1963: Hadassah passes a resolution backing what will become the Civil Rights Act of 1963, organizing members to lobby their local politicians to vote for the legislation.
- 1966: Hadassah National President Charlotte Jacobson leads a Hadassah delegation in Moscow with all participants wearing large Star of David lapel pins. “The Hadassah women were like an army,” said Elie Wiesel, who was visiting Moscow. Afterward, Hadassah advocates for the creation of the National Conference on Soviet Jewry, which came to fruition in 1971.
- 1967: Following the Six-Day War, Hadassah membership climbs steadily, reaching a new high of 360,000 by 1977. Hadassah Associates is founded, giving American men the opportunity to be a formal part of Hadassah.
- 1989: Hadassah participates in the March for Women's Lives in Washington, D.C. (which they repeat in 1992 and in 2004, when Hadassah National President June Walker, z"l, addressed 1 million people).
- 1991: Hadassah holds a three-day symposium on “Israeli and American Jews: Understanding and Misunderstanding.”
- 1992: Hadassah launches Check It Out, an early detection program for youth to raise awareness of body awareness, breast cancer and healthy lifestyles. To date, over a million young people have participated in high schools, Jewish community centers and youth programs across the United States.
- 1997: The Hadassah-Brandeis Institute becomes the first university-based research institute devoted to the study of Jewish women, supporting interdisciplinary study, underwriting scholarly research, publications and conferences to promote Jewish women’s historical and contemporary experiences.
- 1998: The Hadassah National Board establishes the Hadassah Foundation as a supporting organization to refocus the priorities of the Jewish community through innovative and creative funding to improve gender equality in the United States and Israel.
- 1999: Hadassah holds our largest-ever Day on the Hill, with 2,000 Hadassah members visiting Capitol Hill to advocate to US senators and representatives about priority Hadassah issues.
- 2001: On January 16 Hadassah is officially recognized by the United Nations Economic and Social Council's Committee (ECOSOC) on Non-Governmental Organizations, gaining nongovernmental organization (NGO) status.
- 2007: Henrietta Szold is inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame.
- 2008: Hadassah members and chapters around the country build support for the 2008 Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA), which prohibits discrimination against individuals in health insurance and employment on the basis of genetic information.
- 2014: Hadassah introduces The Uplift Project and the campaign tagline says it all: "Hadassah supporting breast cancer research & awareness from A to DD." The idea is basic: decorate a bra using any material or medium, photograph it and upload a photo to an online gallery.
- 2018: Hadassah hosts a Women's Health & Advocacy Conference, including the Hadassah-founded Coalition for Women's Health Equity Second Annual Women's Health Empowerment Summit.
- 2019:The Never Again Education Act is signed into law. Hadassah is one of the leading not-for-profit organizations championing this bill and mobilizing support.
- 2021: Hadassah hosts Drink Pink for Breast Cancer Awareness. More than 250 women gathered across the country to raise a glass in support of Hadassah research and spread awareness about breast cancer.
- 2022: Hadassah hosts “The Power of Purpose,” its first national virtual conference on women’s empowerment.