Every year, Hadassah chapters around the country hold a “Hadassah Shabbat.” Traditionally, it is held on Shabbat Zachor (the Sabbath of Remembrance) because it was around that time that Hadassah was founded in 1912 by Henrietta Szold.

Sometimes chapters have to be flexible as to when they host their Hadassah Shabbat, especially if their synagogue has scheduled other programming that specific week. This year, my chapter held our Hadassah Shabbat one week later on March 7.

Traditionally, Hadassah members lead parts of the service, read sections of the week’s Torah portion and Haftarah (the selection from the Book of Prophets) and give a “D’var Hadassah” sermon. This year was going to be no exception. Our leaders planned a structure for the Shabbat service and recruited a number of our members to participate. We planned and were able to present our D’var Hadassah during the time allotted for the sermon.

However, there was a slight deviation. Our rabbi emeritus and his wife were celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary, so he also was participating in the service. Throughout his over 40 years at our synagogue, he has always been a strong supporter of Hadassah. He has mentored our Hadassah leaders and has encouraged our women to share their Zionism whenever possible. That Shabbat was no different — except it was, in its own way.

As we all know, the prior week, the current Iran War, Operation Roaring Lion, began. Our friends and family in Israel have been withstanding constant rocket barrages, and our two Hadassah hospitals have gone into emergency mode. The rabbi decided to share a message his daughter-in-law’s mother wrote him that past week, when her husband was being treated at Hadassah Hospital Ein Kerem:

“I cannot describe to you how incredible the staff was at Hadassah Hospital. “They were so efficient, so calm and loving. “They literally set up an entire field hospital in an empty space on the third subterranean level. “There initially was nothing in that vast room. “It had not been prepared for a hospital situation. “Yet, within an hour, a makeshift hospital was in place. “It was remarkable to witness. “Portable dividers of the room, safety bars in the bathrooms. “Augmenting the lighting and air systems. “All the necessary supplies, even coffee/tea stations for family members. “The nurses never got flustered. “They were calm and loving, the entire time. “I felt so proud to be here and to be a part of the diverse citizenry of Israel. “Notably half of the staff were Israeli Arabs. “We were all one family. “I suppose that is the way it should be. “We all helped one another, comforted one another and hugged one another. “I cannot completely describe the experience, but it will stay with me forever.”

When my rabbi shared those words, I was struck by the depth of emotion. As a lifetime Hadassah member, I have always known about and believed in the amazing work of Hadassah, the Hadassah Medical Organization and its two world class research hospitals in Jerusalem.

I have visited the hospitals many times and seen the doctors, nurses, therapists and all the other staff in action. I have visited friends who were patients in the hospital. I have met and gotten to know numerous grateful patients and multiple numbers of incredible doctors. Yet, when I hear a story like this, it is even more impactful for me. I can really sense the results of the volunteer work I do for Hadassah. I understand more deeply how vital my efforts are to solicit donations here in the US for our Hadassah hospitals and to encourage more volunteers to join our mission.

While no one wants war, we all want to be prepared. We all want our people in Israel to be treated with the best care possible. Hearing this story, remarkably on Hadassah Shabbat, was bashert (fated). I could not be prouder of what Hadassah does for our Jewish People in Israel and around the world. Hadassah is truly a lifechanging organization.

Stephanie Z. Bonder is a member of the Hadassah Writers’ Circle, a dynamic and diverse writing group for leaders and members to express their thoughts and feelings about all the things Hadassah does to make the world a better place. It’s where they celebrate their personal Hadassah journeys and share their Jewish values, family traditions and interpretations of Jewish texts. Hadassah members are proud of their Zionist mission and their role as keepers of the flame of Jewish values, traditions and beliefs as well as advocating for women’s empowerment and health equity for all. Since 2019, the Hadassah Writers’ Circle has published nearly 800 columns in The Times of Israel Blogs and other Jewish media outlets. Interested in writing? Please contact hwc@hadassah.org.

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)