With only a few short weeks till we celebrate Passover Seder and the retelling of the story of the Exodus from Egypt with its refrain “next year in Jerusalem”, I reflect on a more recent Exodus and the yearnings of the Ethiopian Jewish community who were able to fulfil their dream of Aliyah.
They made their exodus in the 1980s and 1990s through a series of ambitious rescue operations undertaken by the Israeli government with the support of world Jewry. Tens of thousands of Ethiopian Jews reached their longed-for Israel. But, decades later, many of the 140,000 Ethiopian-Israelis continue to lag behind the general Jewish population in almost all socioeconomic indicators. We know that education enables social mobility among migrant communities, and we are, therefore, committed to the Hadasssah-Achotenu Scholarships in Health – our way of helping to close that gap and helping to resolve a chronic shortage of health professionals in Israel (see items 5 and 7 of our newsletter).
And thinking back, exactly a year ago in March 2022 Hadassah Australia President, Ron Finkel AM, wrote a column emphasising Hadassah’s commitment to healthcare and the ongoing need to invest in building civil society. He highlighted two major events: the announcement of the magnificent gift of the Gandel family for the new Gandel Rehabilitation Center at Hadassah Mt Scopus, and the unfolding tragedy in Ukraine and Hadassah’s support for the Ukrainian people in the wake of the humanitarian crisis.
A year down the track, the Gandel Rehabilitation Center has taken shape; we can stand in the entrance lobby, climb the stairs to the rooftop and we can see, feel and stand in awe of its presence in the surrounds and really begin to understand its future impact. And just a few days ago, Victorian Minister Ben Carroll, came, saw and was very impressed! (see item 4).
Gandel Rehabilitation Center construction site
Sadly, the tragedy in Ukraine is ongoing. Nevertheless, we are proud and humbled that in January, nearly a year on, came the Genesis Prize – the so-called Jewish Nobel – normally awarded to individual Jewish activists and NGOs, was this year bestowed upon Hadassah Hospital and Hadassah International for their amazing response to the crisis.
We have a direct link as Hadassah International Executive Director Jorge Diener was there, on the ground, working tirelessly to help alleviate the pain and suffering of the flood of refugees who came to the centre. And he is in Australia, meeting key supporters and sharing his experiences (See item 3).
Coming soon after the acknowledgement of Hadassah’s response to a crisis situation was the swift response in February to the terrible news of the earthquake in Turkiye. Once again, a number of Hadassah medicos began organising and reached Turkiye as part of the Israeli relief delegations. This action was another reminder of the ethos of Hadassah – their people are found wherever they are needed. It’s truly about Tikkun Olam – the ongoing effort to heal the world. We say Kol Hakavod!
I commend the March newsletter to you. It covers people and programs that inspire – we are partnering to do work that is filled with courage, hope and making a difference. The final item is sure to make you smile...
Chag Pesach Same'ach!
Warmest Passover greetings!
Ruth R Rosen
Executive Director
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