Hadassah-Israel Annual Conference 2022

venue Hadassah-Israel’s Annual Conference was held in-person for the first time in over two years. This year’s conference, with the theme “Beating the Odds; Overcoming Life’s Challenges” was held at the beautiful Hotel Yehudah in Jerusalem. Over 160 Hadassah members and friends attended.

The conference was planned by a committee from (English-Speaking) Levonah Chapter, Hadassah-Israel, under the guidance of co-chairs Ellen Graboff Shemesh and Rose Scharlat, with generous assistance from Lone Salomon Lehr of the Hadassah office.

To say that the conference was a smashing success would be an understatement. We hope that everyone there made at least one new friend, learned something new and had a grand good time.


Rose Scharlat and Ellen Graboff Shemesh, Conference Co-Chairs	Lone Salomon Lehr welcomed everyone	Michal Shmueli, President of Hadassah-Israel	Shosh, from the HI office, helped us hold everything together

National Board			Levonah’s new co-presidents are installed by Lona

Presidents of the chapters that hit or greatly exceeded their fund-raising goals in 2021

Barbara Sofer, VP of PR, Hadassah-Israel	Prof. Smadar Even Tov Friedman, head of Medical Department of Neonatology at HMC	Dr. Elisheva Leiter introduced us to Different Thinking About Stress	Yoav Yokfaz, discussed Humor and Positive Thinking with the Hebrew-speakers

Dov Lipman with aunt and uncle, Sandy and Stuart Billauer.	Dov Lipman on the challenges of making aliyah and his experience as a MK. He also reported on the Ukraine refugee situation	Ellen and Natan Sharansky	Natan Sharansky, former Minister and MK, shared about his imprisonment and his life. An incredible hero.

Ruth Keidar from the ADL spoke on Overcoming Challenges and Israel Diaspora Relations.	Ariana Berlin told us about her Lone Soldier experience.	Racheli Frenkel, mother of Naftali Frenkel.	Yossi Hagiel and Lior Sinai, CEO of an Association Brigade and Heritage officer

Hadassah Members enjoying the conference

Meir Barbi was our entertainment. He spoke of his experiences growing up in the Jewish Institute for the Blind and how HMC assisted the children.	Meir Barbi and Bonnie Bachenheimer	Meir sang and played the flute and we all had so much fun!	Frida Tin led us in singing Hatikvah. Beautifully done!