There is a feeling you get when walking through the halls of our capitol buildings in Washington, D.C., that is hard to put into words. You feel the history. You feel the responsibility. And you feel the quiet realization that ordinary citizens have the ability to help shape what comes next.

Last month, I joined nearly 200 Hadassah leaders from across the country for Hadassah’s Day of Impact 2026. We met face to face with members of Congress and their staff, advocating for issues that matter deeply to our Hadassah community, including strengthening the US–Israel relationship, addressing the rise in antisemitism, protecting vulnerable communities and advancing research in women’s health.

What stood out most was how often we heard the same message: It matters that you are here in person. One congressional aide told us that meeting with constituents gives context to an issue that cannot be captured in an email or policy memo. She said, “When people take the time to come here, it tells us that this issue truly matters.”

Between meetings, I found myself walking alongside my Hadassah colleague and dear friend Stacey Dorenfeld, someone I first advocated with 10 years ago when we were Hadassah Leadership........

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