I'm looking at my bookshelf and I see the front cover of the book dedicated to the life of Hadassah founder, Henrietta Szold, thinking how prescient is the title "How to Repair a Broken World". Henrietta was a visionary, a bringer of healing and solidarity at a time when medical facilities were almost unknown in Eretz Israel. She spoke at the cornerstone ceremony for the Hadassah Hospital on Mount Scopus in 1934 and delivered the opening address where she recalled the immense effort over the years making the event possible. She promised that the projected institution would be the largest and most modern hospital in the entire Middle East. Ninety years later, she would be amazed and proud of what has transpired.
At this critical time in Israel's history, Henrietta would be proud of you, our Australian Hadassah family, who have stepped up and are making a meaningful and very impactful contribution to the hospital today.
For me, seeing the photos of the first patients being treated in the war-wounded department at the newly opened Gandel Rehabilitation Center at Hadassah Mount Scopus brought tears to my eyes. Seeing these brave soldiers, so young, now able to receive the state-of-the-art treatment is heart-warming. The foresight and vision of Henrietta Szold all those years ago and, more recently, the generosity of the Gandel family, has given the Australian community a deep and loving connection to healing and restoring hope to wounded soldiers and civilians.
Another wonderful example of having foresight and helping to make a difference during these unprecedented times, are the generous doctors who have chosen to virtually volunteer their medical skills by continuing to treat patients here at home while supporting Hadassah's concrete needs at this time. Kol Hakavod!
On behalf of Hadassah Australia President, Vice-President, board and staff, let me take this opportunity to express our deep gratitude to the entire Hadassah community for your unwavering support and generous donations towards our emergency campaign. Your contributions are making a significant difference in saving lives and helping to heal and rehabilitate the wounded soldiers and civilians.
Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected, and we hope for a speedy return of the hostages.
Warm regards,
Ruth R Rosen - Executive Director