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A bi-annual newsletter from the Hadassah Foundation |
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Dear Julie,
For almost a quarter century, the Hadassah Foundation has cultivated a growing network of feminist leaders in Israel and the American Jewish community. This year, amid unprecedented challenges, those leaders came together like never before, mobilizing to ensure that -- whether in the halls of the United Nations, on the floor of the Knesset, in Israel's war rooms, and at the U.S. Supreme Court -- the voices of Jewish and Israeli women are heard.
In the newsletter below, learn how two organizations supported by the Hadassah Foundation, Forum Dvorah and Jewish Women International, are putting women’s leadership front and center. But don’t stop there: Scroll down to read about our newest grants, learn about the war’s impact on women in Israel, and see the tremendous amount of media coverage our grantees’ work is garnering.
Our grantee organizations have stepped up. Now we need to step up to ensure they continue to have the resources they need. And we can't do it without your help. Please make a generous contribution today.
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With tremendous gratitude and partnership,
Audrey Weiner, Chair
Stephanie Blumenkranz, Director
And the entire Hadassah Foundation board and staff
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MIRACLES OF LIGHT:
WOMEN AT THE DECISION-MAKING TABLE
| | Throughout the month of December, we are sharing stories of initiatives we support that exemplify the modern-day strength and resiliency of the Jewish people and people of Israel. So far, we have highlighted Itach Ma'aki, Israel Women's Network, Women's Spirit and the Association of Rape Crisis Centers in Israel. Read past stories here. | | |
Forum Dvorah’s video above highlights the bravery and accomplishments of women in the IDF.
Forum Dvorah is the only organization in Israel focusing on gender equality in the fields of national security and foreign policy. It manages an Israel-based network of over 200 women in key decision-making positions in security and foreign policy, as well as a separate network for an emerging generation of women in these fields.
Since October 7, Forum Dvorah has been working behind the scenes to increase the number of women involved in key decision-making discussions regarding the war, including hostage negotiations, which had no women present until Forum Dvorah intervened. It is also documenting the experiences of women during the war and the numerous successes of women in the military, particularly in combat positions.
Read our Q&A with Forum Dvorah board members.
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Jewish Women International, which is in the United States, empowers women and girls of all backgrounds to live free from violence, be financially independent, and excel in leadership positions. This year, among JWI’s many accomplishments, it led an amicus brief to the Supreme Court to keep firearms out of the hands of violent abusers and held monthly training webinars led by the country’s top experts on domestic violence and sexual assault prevention and response.
In learning about the the inaction and silence of UN Women and international women’s organizations after the gender-based war crimes were committed by Hamas on October 7th, JWI quickly made supporting Israel among its top advocacy priorities. Bringing its strategic and strong advocacy to international levels, JWI spurred hundreds of US-based organizations, communal leaders, and elected officials to speak out and show their unequivocal support for Israel.
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Watch a video recording of our recent program on the ways Israeli organizations and communities are collectively addressing the immediate needs of women and girls in Israel, and the role of the newly created Civil Commission of Oct. 7 Crimes by Hamas Against Women and Children. Hundreds of people attended, and speakers included Dr. Cochav Elkayam Levy, the commission's founder and head. This program was made possible by the Bernice Tannenbaum Fund for Education.
Watch Video
Read a profile of Dr. Elkayam Levy in Haaretz
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Meet Our New Visionary Partner
& Spark Grant Recipients
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Photo courtesy of Moving Traditions
VISIONARY PARTNER
The Visionary Partner grant, $130,000 payable over five years, goes to a trusted past grantees whose missions align with the Hadassah Foundation’s and whose work is especially timely.
Moving Traditions, an organization that uses a gender lens to embolden North American Jewish youth to thrive, has been awarded a Visionary Partner grant.
The organization, which combines positive psychology with Jewish values, partners with Jewish institutions across North America to engage Jewish teens, families, and communities.
Moving Traditions joins the Israel-based WePower and the U.S-based Jewish Women International, which were awarded Visionary Partner grants in 2022, in this honored group of Hadassah Foundation grantees.
This unrestricted grant allows organizations that promote gender equality in Israel and the United States to enjoy a modicum of security about their operating revenues. The Foundation relies on Visionary Partner grantees for their advice and expertise and seeks to encourage partnerships and networking among their leaders
LEARN MORE
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Photo courtesy of Friendship League
SPARK
Three organizations have received the Hadassah Foundation's first-ever Spark grants, $20,000 grants specifically designed for innovative startup organizations. They are:
Kamochah (United States), which aims to normalize the presence and experiences of Black Orthodox Jews in all sectors of Jewish communal life, including camps, schools, and synagogues. In addition, it celebrates the richness of Black Jews’ racial heritage while holding fast to Torah observance
ASLI: Israel White Ribbon Organization, which works to engage men and boys in the effort to eliminate violence towards women in both public and private spheres. ASLI is the only men-led and men-oriented organization in Israel working to prevent violence against women.
The Friendship League of Culture and Sports (Israel), which empowers women and girls from diverse cultural, ethnic and religious communities in Israel by engaging them in the highly participatory and enjoyable game of catchball. This grant is underwritten by the Julie Morris Ner Tamid Fund, established earlier this year in memory of past board chair Julie Morris.
LEARN MORE
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RESPONDING TO THE CRISIS IN ISRAEL
- Since Oct. 7, we have made several emergency grants, including $36,000 to Hadassah, The Women's Zionist Organization of America (HWZOA) to support the trauma care at its hospitals; $10,000 to Jewish Federations of North America's Israel Crisis Fund; and $20,000 in discretionary grants to Itach Ma'aki: Women Lawyers for Social Justice, Israel Women's Network, the Association of Rape Crisis Centers in Israel, and Beit Ruth Therapeutic Village.
- Together with HWZOA we issued a statement calling on UN Women to condemn Hamas' gender-based war crimes. Our statement was part of a larger advocacy campaign that resulted in the group finally condemning Hamas in early December.
- In partnership with Elluminate (formerly the Jewish Women's Foundation of New York), we are bringing together Jewish women's funds throughout the United States to make new resources available for Israeli women's needs.
- We are encouraging larger funders to make women a priority in their Israel emergency allocations by providing them with up-to-date information about Israeli women's organization's needs.
| | | | GRANTEE ORGANIZATIONS IN THE HEADLINES | | |
25th Anniversary Celebration
Hadassah, The Women's Zionist Organization of America voted in 1998 to establish the Hadassah Foundation, which incorporated in 1999, and began making grants in 2000. Starting in April 2024 and continuing through April 2025, we'll be celebrating a quarter-century of advancing gender equity. Please stay tuned for more details!
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The Hadassah Foundation is a leader in advancing gender equity in Israel and the United States through collective giving, relationship building, and education. The foundation provides early-stage and long-term support to pioneering organizations and brings pressing issues that disproportionately impact women and girls to the forefront.
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