Walking the halls of Hadassah Ein Kerem earlier this year, it was hard not to reflect on some of the changes since my last visit.
In the foyer, a large LED screen with a looping memorial to victims of terror since October 7th, who were either Hadassah staff members or family members of Hadassah staff.
On a pull up banner, a profile of Karina Ariev, daughter of Albert Ariev from Hadassah’s Specialised Services Division, kidnapped from her post at Nahal Oz on October 7th and released after 15 months in captivity.
On huge mounted posters in open spaces, pictures of the hostages still in captivity, alongside tables with Tehillim cards to pray for the victims of terror, the safety of Israel’s soldiers and people, and an end to the hostilities.
All of this under banners strung between pillars in the foyer reminding us, in English, Hebrew and Arabic, of Hadassah’s enduring purpose - Healing Our World Together Since 1912.
As the conflict escalates again, in Israel’s longest war, the focus on healing and building a pathway to hope for our brave soldiers and brothers and sisters in Israel has never been more acute. And our support from Australia has never counted more.
Hadassah continues to lead the way in life-saving and rehabilitative treatment – from emergency care through complex surgery, rehabilitation, and mental health support.
The Gandel Rehabilitation Center (GRC) at Mount Scopus, partially opened last year and for which Hadassah Australia raised over AU $1 Million through our most successful Rosh Hashana campaign ever, has already treated hundreds of wounded soldiers, security personnel, and civilians, helping them recover from their devastating injuries and begin to rebuild their lives.
Operating rooms and the Paediatric ICU wards at Ein Kerem have been moved to bomb-proof environments, and an underground emergency hospital beneath the GRC is at the ready, ensuring healthcare needs can be met at pace if the hospital is under attack.
And threaded through this all is the unrelenting resilience and Hadassah spirit – the “Ruach Hadassah” – embodied in exceptional staff, and volunteers, representing the diverse cultural fabric of Israeli society, who come to work every day in service of others. Their professionalism and passion for their craft, their resilience in balancing personal and professional needs during tremendously challenging times, their endless supply of innovation and patient-centred empathy and their gratitude for the financial and emotional support from Australia is palpable.
Your support as we stand with Israel has an impact – Toda Raba. And there is much more still to do.
In addition to supporting the completion of the GRC and expansion of its service capabilities, in 2025 Hadassah Australia will focus on mental health, capital works and programs. We will shortly be launching our Pesach campaign supporting the Hadassah-Achotenu Ethiopian-Israeli University Scholarships in Health, training more nurses and occupational therapists for Israel.
Through supporting this flagship program you will contribute directly to addressing Israel’s critical shortage of graduate nurses and occupational therapists, that has been exacerbated by the unprecedented demand for these services as Israel treats a growing number of injured soldiers and victims of terror.
Our scholarships strengthen Israel’s healthcare system and social cohesion, creating life-changing opportunities for members of Israel’s Ethiopian Jewish community.. Please join us in our ambition to fund 10 students who will be deployed to the frontline of healing, saving lives, inspiring their communities and improving health outcomes for Israeli society at large.
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As the festival for celebrating our freedom approaches, Israel is at war and 59 hostages remain in captivity. During this time, we stand with the people of Israel. We pray for a swift end to the war, the return of the hostages, the safety of Israel’s soldiers and people and peace in our homeland.
Am Yisrael Chai.
Chag Pesach Sameach.
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Lynda Brest
President
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