Hadassah Australia supports programs that connect the Australian community with Israel, and which make a difference at home and abroad. Hadassah Australia was established in 2003 by Ron Finkel AM, the current National President. For us, Hadassah is more than a hospital - it is an inspirational beacon of healing, friendship and peace among all people.
From humble beginnings as a small “outpost” run by volunteers, Hadassah Australia has grown into a very successful DGR-1 charity with a permanent office and professional staff, backed by a growing base of supporters across the country. Hadassah Australia provides substantial and meaningful support for Hadassah Hospital, both financially and through a range of collaborative programs and activities.
Hadassah Australia creates sustainable social impact through healthcare and collaborative medical research to support a thriving, inclusive Israeli community and improve global health.
Inspired by the vision and values of Hadassah Founder, Henrietta Szold, Hadassah Australia is committed to creating a thriving, diverse, equal and inclusive Israel by supporting healthcare programs that:
In striving to create positive social impact through healing programs in Israel, our guiding principles are commitment, respect, and trust. We celebrate the creativity, passion and teamwork that enhance our engagement with program partners and generous supporters.
2022 - 2nd International Conference on Trauma and Mental Health in partnership with AUSiMED, Phoenix Australia and HMO to be held in September 2022 in Jerusalem.
2022 – Visit to Australia Achotenu Graduate Inbal Hananyia and La'Ofek-Achotenu Program Director Judy Lowy.
2022 – Hadassah’s Ukraine Emergency Mission – treating patients in the Refugee Centre at the Polish-Ukraine border; providing medication in coordination with the Ukrainian Ministry of Health; training local staff and saving lives.
2022 - Gandel Rehabilitation Center – thanks to signature donor, Gandel Foundation, the fundraising campaign is officially launched.
2021 - Israel’s First Lady Michal Herzog hosts a celebratory event at the President’s Residence for Achotenu graduates, current students and staff.
2021 - Graduation ceremony celebrated for the first graduates of the Achotenu program.
2021 - Hadassah Australia holds the Closing the Gap Webinar: Academics and Participating students Hadassah-Achotenu Ethiopian Scholarships in Health program.
2020 – Hadassah Australia holds COVID-19 Webinars:- Coping with COVID: Safeguarding Your Mental Health in the Age of COVID-19- Emergency Medicine COVID-19: The Israel Experience- COVID-19 – Can We Win the War
2020 - Hadassah Australia and Hadassah International join forces to raise funds for the construction of Jerusalem’s first dedicated Rehabilitation Center for patients with Acute and Chronic rehabilitation needs.
2019 - Individual donors and syndicates established to fund the 5-year scholarship program for new Achotenu student cohorts.
2019 – Medical Clowns deliver Hadassah Australia Mishloach Manot to children on the Hadassah Hospital wards as part of a Purim campaign.
2019 - a new colposcope is purchased for Hadassah’s Bat Ami Center for Victims of Sexual Abuse, vastly improving the medical examination procedure required for survivors of rape and violence.
2018 – in partnership with Starlight Children’s Foundation, Hadassah Australia delivers Mishloach Monaot and entertainment to children at hospitals in Sydney and Melbourne.
2018 – Medical clowns deliver Hadassah Australia Mishloach Manot (Purim parcels) to children on the Hadassah Hospital wards as part of a Purim campaign.
2017 - in partnership with Phoenix Institute and HMO, the 1st International Conference on Trauma and Mental Health is held in Jerusalem.
2016 - HWZOA launches the Achotenu Scholarships program providing pathways to undergraduate studies in nursing and occupational therapy at the Hebrew University for young Ethiopians. The program is adopted by Hadassah Australia in 2019.
2016 – Medical Clown “Dush” – Hadassah leading Medical Clown visits Australia.
2015 – Hadassah Australia Oration – Rev Tim Costello AO.
2015 – Hadassah Australia Tikkun Olam Award Recipient: Professor Hugh Taylor AC.
2014 - Hadassah Australia, together with JNF, creates the Healing and Environment Garden at Hadassah Mt Scopus.
2014 Hadassah Australia Tikkun Olam Award Recipient: The Hon Steve Bracks AC.
2014 – Hadassah Australia Oration - Dr Qanta Ahmed Associate Professor of Medicine at the State University of New York (Stony Brook).
2013 Hadassah Australia Tikkun Olam Award Recipient: Professor Frank Oberklaid AM.
2013 - initiates support for the Hadassah Hospital Medical Clowns, an initiative that will later bring the Dream Doctor clowns to every Israeli hospital.
2012 - Hadassah Australia Tikkun Olam Award Recipient: Professor David De Kretser AC.
2012 - establishes AUSiMED to promote medical research collaborations between Israeli and Australian clinical researchers.
2011 - Hadassah Australia Tikkun Olam Award Recipient: Professor Fiona Stanley AC.
2011 - launch of Goshen, an initiative to transfer world-leading Australian IP in early childhood development, to Israel.
2010 - Hadassah Australia Tikkun Olam Award Recipient: Her Excellency Professor Marie R Bashir AC CVO.
2009 – Hadassah Australia Tikkun Olam Award Recipient: Professor Sharon Lewin AM.
2006 - In partnership with the Unit of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Hadassah Medical Organization, launched the Jerusalem Crisis Intervention Center to address the needs of the many children in Jerusalem manifesting early symptoms of PTSD.
2003 - Hadassah Australia is established, committed to creating a thriving, diverse, equal and inclusive Israel through a range of collaborative health programs and activities.