Hadassah

Hadassah

Hadassah, the Women's Zionist Organization of America is an American Jewish volunteer women's organization. Founded in 1912 by Henrietta Szold, it is one of the largest international Jewish organizations, with around 300,000 members worldwide, mostly women. In the United States, Hadassah promotes health education, social action and advocacy, volunteerism, Jewish education and research, and connections with Israel.

Hadassah was established in New York City by Szold and the Daughters of Zion, a women's study group. The goal was to promote the Zionist ideal through education, public health initiatives, and the training of nurses in what was then the Palestine region of the Ottoman Empire. At the founders' meeting, which coincided with the Jewish holiday of Purim, the group chose the name Hadassah, the Hebrew name of the biblical heroine Esther, central figure in the celebration of Purim. With Szold serving as the first national president, Hadassah chapters soon opened in Baltimore, Cleveland, Chicago, and Boston.

According to Nancy K. Falchuk of Newton, Massachusetts, the organization's president from July 2007 to July 2011, Hadassah's missions include health, education, fighting anti-Semitism, promoting Israel's security, and encouraging stem-cell research. In July 2011, Marcie Natan became Hadassah's 25th president.