Henrietta's Hadassah

The Legacy of an American Jewish Educator, Author, and Social Worker

Henrietta

Henrietta Szold was born in Baltimore in 1860 to Rabbi Benjamin and Sophie Schaar Szold, Hungarian immigrants to the United States. Rabbi Szold shared his love and knowledge of Jewish texts and traditions with his eldest daughter, who, in turn, became a passionate and accomplished student of Judaism.

After high school graduation, Szold became a teacher and writer. Her articles in national Jewish publications – often critiques of American Jewish society - garnered attention among American Jewish intellectuals. In 1893 she became the first woman elected to the publication committee of the Jewish Publication Society. Szold also won permission to study at the then male-only Jewish Theological Seminary, on condition that she never push for rabbinic ordination.

Her exhaustive work schedule and a failed romance with JTS professor Louis Ginzberg led to her 1909 trip to Palestine. As Szold herself once said “In the life of the spirit there is no ending that is not a beginning. “ It was as she traveled around the country witnessing great poverty and disease that her activist notion of a practical Zionism took root.

On her return to New York, Szold immersed herself in Zionist activities. She presented a slide lecture of her Palestine visit to American Jewish women, marketing the idea that Western medicine could improve the physical welfare of women in Palestine and volunteer work could improve the spiritual welfare of women in America.

Hadassah

In 1912, at a women's study group in New York City, Szold founded a women’s organization that would be dedicated to Judaism, Zionism, and American ideals. Since the meeting took place around Purim time, the group adopted the name Hadassah, the Hebrew name of the Purim story heroine Queen Esther.

The first act of this new organization was sending two skilled nurses to Palestine. Rose Kaplan and Rachel Landy opened an office in Jerusalem in March 1913, and saw 5000 patients in their first year.

In June 1914 Hadassah held its first national convention in Rochester, New York. At this conference the organization officially defined its purpose "…to promote Jewish institutions and enterprises in Palestine and to foster Zionist ideals in America."

In Israel, Hadassah has continued throughout the years to initiate and support health care programs as well as educational programs, youth institutions, and land development.

The Hadassah Medical Organization includes two hospitals, five schools, out-patients clinics, research facilities and community health centers. It treats over one million patients annually and educates health care professionals.

In 2005, Hadassah’s two Jerusalem hospitals were nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for promoting peace in the Middle East. The hospitals provide equal treatment for all regardless of religion, ethnicity and nationality and maintain a mixed staff of people of all faiths, even during periods of active conflict between Israel and its neighbors.

Hadassah supports improved education in Israel via Hadassah College Jerusalem. And Hadassah-supported Youth Aliyah/Children at Risk sets Israel's disadvantaged children on the path to a successful future. Furthermore, Hadassah works with the Jewish National Fund in an effort to protect Israel’s environment.

In the United States, Hadassah enhances American and Jewish life through education and Zionist youth programs such as Young Judea, promotes health awareness, and provides personal enrichment for its members.

Hadassah Women's Zionist Organization of America is the largest Jewish organization in American history and the most successful American women's volunteer organization. Hadassah’s founder, Henrietta Szold, will forever be an inspiration.