Volume X, Issue 1

Aug-Sept 2011 Av-Elul-Tishrei 5771-5772

The Gefen

Hadassah, the Women's Zionist Organization of America, Inc. Visit Hadassah Fresno on Facebook or on our website at HadassahFresno.org

HADASSAH . . . BRIDGES TO PEACE THROUGH HEALING

I recently received an email about a woman named Irena Sender. During WWII, Irena, a non-Jew, managed to smuggle out and save 2500 kids/infants from the Warsaw ghetto. This is an unbelievable accomplishment for a group of people, let alone one individual. It made me think about what we Hadassah members can and do accomplish each year. As this is my first Presidents message this time around, I would like to have something profound to say, but that is what is so special about Hadassah, everyone is special, and everyone has something to add to help reach our goals and to make all the Hadassah programs a success. This in itself is profound. Hadassah is important to me for so many reasons. My first Hadassah meeting was in Chicago. A friend took me because she didn't want to go alone, and I became a member that evening. I felt I needed more Jewishness in my life. Fresno was a difficult move. When I called and said I was new in town, Zahava Fishman and Lila Rogan came to my home with a cake and held my 4 month old son Billy. I was so grateful for their visit. I went to my first meeting and left as program chairman. I came to realize that wherever I moved, I had friends and a built in network. I love the fact that Hadassah members represent all facets of Jewish life in Fresno. I met many of my closest friends through Hadassah in Chicago, L.A. and Fresno. Another thing that draws me is that Hadassah is an ambassador for peace in Israel. At Hadassah hospitals, you will find an Israeli mother and an Arab mother sitting in the same hospital room, caring for their children. They know what is really important. Leave it to Hadassah to bridge peace through healing. Save the Date. Also, whenever there is a crisis Womens Health Day Sept 18 in the world, you will see New Member Tea Oct 9 Hadassah doctors and medical Womens Seder Apr 12 teams as the first response units. Donor Luncheon May 17
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Central Pacific Coast Region Fresno Chapter Inside this issue:

Presidents Message Save the Date Marcie Natan Installed Blue & White Health Day Flyer Lillian Federman Condolences Yahrzeits Donations New Life Members Anniversaries Birthdays July (Belated) Birthdays August Birthdays September Thank You Keeper of the Gate Mazel Tov Darrow On Israel Peggy In Las Vegas Bluma Felix Thank You Womens Health 1 1 3 4 5 6 8 8 8 8 8 9 9 9 9 9 9 10 12 13 13

Unfortunately, they have a lot of experience in crisis response. Since WWII, Hadassah has been caring for children through Youth Aliyah villages. And what started as a small technical school has grown today into a college. These are some of the things we help support with the money we raise each year. I don't want to forget to mention the nursing school and the healing, teaching and research facilities. The research results at Hadassah hospitals are shared with medical communities around the world. And just how long has this been going on? I'm glad you asked. This is our Centennial Year. We have a very special membership rate in effect this year until December 31st. A life membership which usually cost $360 is $100 for the centennial. That is for everyone, including the associates and child memberships. If you havent done so already, I hope you will consider giving a gift to yourself, your child, grandchild or even a Bat Mitzvah gift of a life membership. I've heard people say the magazine, alone, is worth the price of membership. The board has many interesting programs in the works for this coming year. We are starting with a Womens Health Program on September 18th. The Sisterhood at TBI is co-sponsoring the program with us. The event will be held at TBI. There are a number of doctors lined up to give you the latest information on Womens Health today. This is an opening event you don't want to miss. I hope I will see you at one of our events very soon. A Very Happy Healthy New Year to you and your family!

Nancy Glassberg
For The Lawyers...
Charitable Solicitation Disclosure Statements. Hadassah, the Womens Zionist Organization of America, Inc. 50 West 58th Street, New York, NY 10019. Telephone (212) 355-7900. A copy of Hadassahs latest financial report is available by writing to the Hadassah Finance Dept. $12.50 of your annual membership payment is allocated for your subscription to Hadassah Magazine. In keeping with IRS regulations, membership dues, /enrollment fees are not considered tax-deductible contributions. Hadassah intends to respect donors wishes regarding their gifts, however, in accordance with US tax law requirements regarding deductibility of contributions, Hadassah shall have full dominion, control and discretion over all gifts.

HADASSAH DELEGATES VOTE IN NEW NATIONAL PRESIDENT

Excerpted from an article by Samantha Friedman Rabinowitz/Dorf Communications

LAS VEGAS July 13, 2011 Marcie Natan was officially installed as National President of Hadassah, the Women's Zionist Organization of America. Natan, most recently National Chair of Hadassah College Jerusalem, was inaugurated during a ceremony at Hadassah's final national business meeting before entering its centennial year. More than 400 national board members, delegates, associates and guests gathered at the Palazzo in Las Vegas as Hadassah celebrated achievements in membership recruitment and fundraising toward a state-of-the-art medical tower under construction at its hospital in Jerusalem.
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Immediate past president Nancy Falchuk today passed on the organization's highest level volunteer leadership role to Natan. "It gives me great pleasure to pass the torch to Marcie Natan. I've known Marcie for many years and worked with her closely. I can't imagine a wiser, more creative, more dedicated president to lead Hadassah into its second century. I know she will take us to new heights, and I stand ready to help her in any way I can." Falchuk helped lead Hadassah toward adding more than 29,000 new life members and associates to its membership base of almost 300,000 just this year, and as of May 31, raising $257 million toward the Sarah Wetsman Davidson Hospital Tower in Jerusalem. Hadassah anticipates that it will begin treating patients in the tower in March of next year. The tower, estimated at a budget of $363 million, remains Hadassah's top fundraising priority. The organization has outpaced itself this year, already raising, by May 31, $18 million toward the 2011 campaign goal of $20 million. Funds raised this year include five gifts of $1 million or more each. Of Hadassah's significance to her own life, Natan said, "Hadassah has helped me play a role I feel I was destined to play. Hadassah has blessed me with the most meaningful way to give back, to connect as a Jew and a Zionist and to surround myself with others who share my passion. For 100 years, the women of this organization have been breathing life into the word Hadassah. I am especially grateful -- and feel especially humbled -- that the torch of leadership in Hadassah's Centennial year has passed to me." In addition to serving on Hadassah's National Board and Executive Committee, Natan is a former member of the Hadassah Foundation Board, which seeks to augment the work of Hadassah by improving the status, health and well-being of women and girls in the United States and Israel. As National Treasurer from 2006-10, she led the initiative to create Hadassah's single consolidated budget, which has helped to streamline financial planning. A member of Hadassah for more than 40 years, Natan also has served as National Vice President, National Secretary, Chair of Planned Giving and Estates, Chair of Major Gifts, Chair of Unit Assessment, National Organization Department Chair and National President's Training Chair. She was President of the Eastern Pennsylvania Region from 1989-1992. Natan first visited Israel in 1970, and has visited more than 45 times since. Among her involvement in Jewish and community service activities, she is a past President of Temple Beth El in Lancaster, Penn., and has served on the boards of the Lancaster Jewish Community Center, the Lancaster Jewish Federation and the Sisterhood of Temple Beth El. She has taught both Hebrew and Sunday school. Natan has an undergraduate degree in early childhood education from the University of Maryland. She was trained and formerly served as a divorce mediator for the Lancaster Mediation Center. She is a member of a four-generation Hadassah Life-Member and Founder family, which includes her late mother, Anne Deborah Slonim, her daughter Heidi Natan, and her granddaughter, Nina. Her husband, Eli Natan, and son, David Natan, are members of Hadassah Associates. Marcie and Eli Natan are part of the Guardians of the Dream financial supporters group.
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Hadassah Blue and White List**

Dont let the Boycott/Divestment/Sanction trolls get you down. Fight back with your dollars at the following wonderful locations in Fresno: International Star Market 7975 N. Cedar Fresno CA 93720 (559) 438-9600 From your first cup of Elite coffee in the morning, to Osem soups and croutons for lunch, to Bnei Darom olives & pickles, Beit Hashita olives and pickles, and Indo pickles on your dinner table, Star Market meets all your Zionist and culinary needs Bella Vino Cellar 5248 N. Palm (Fig Garden Village) Fresno CA 93704 (559) 226-8466 High end kosher Israeli wines. Will give you a discount if you say youre from Hadassah. Ahava products from the Dead Sea are available at TJ Maxx, Marshalls and Ulta in River Park, as well as on-line at http://tinyurl.com/4zmaa6m Village Shoes at Bullard and West and Roxanne's Birkenstocks 1055 East Herndon Avenue 109 , Fresno, CA 93720 (559) 431-7220 carry Naot sandals. Von's carries Osem soup mixes and related products. Trader Joe's carries Pastures of Eden feta cheese. You can buy Sabra or Tribe hummous at Winco, Raley's or Costco! ** See related article on p.6

LIFE MEMBERSHIP STILL ON SALE FOR $100 I wanted to remind everyone that LIFE MEMBERSHIP is still on sale for $100. One never has to worry about paying membership again! The magazine is worth it alone. Many of my friends have seen that it is a deal and have joined, (or is it a way to stop me from nudging?) A Life Membership makes a great giftwho needs more chachkees? (a couple friends chip in for someone) I made my sons Associate Life members, so you can do it for a male friend as well.

Bluma

WANT-AD Front-loader washer/dryer with storage bins I purchased used 3 years ago I need to sell. Except for a few scratches it works beautifully - If you know of anyone who might be interested in purchasing this for $700 please let me know. Thanks! Sylvia Waxman - 559 250 9818
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WOMENS HEALTH DAY

Sunday, September 18, 2011 9:30 am-3 pm Temple Beth Israel 6622 N. Maroa Avenue, Fresno

Medical experts will present the latest information on topics such as: Memory loss & dementia Allergies & Asthma Breast cancer Urinary incontinence Nutrition & exercise Hair loss Arthritis The new Health Care Laws Followed by an opportunity for Q & A $18 includes registration fee for all sessions, coffee and bagels at 9:30 am, and buffet lunch at noon.

E-mail Judy Haber at womenshealthday@comcast.net or call Bernice Stone at 439-6557 ASAP to reserve your place.
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Queers for Palestine? Are they high? Even with most adherents of left-wing politics giving
knee-jerk support to a repressive regime that repudiates nearly every principle for which they claim to standfreedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of assembly and dissent, rights and dignity of womenit still may come as a shock that most gays identify with the Palestinians (were oppressed, theyre oppressed, how hard is that?) Despite the fact that their culture views a gay relative, or an insufficiently modest daughter, as a candidate for honor killing to expunge the blot on family honor, the left reflexively condemns the one state in the Middle East that insures safety, dignity, and equal rights for gays. A logical response to this illogical stance is brushed aside as pinkwashing, as if a catchy description means you can ignore the facts. Hadassah member Dr. Lillian Faderman has kindly allowed us to reprint the article she wrote for the Advocate, the countrys largest LGBT publication. If you think this is a non-issue, go to http://tinyurl.com/3mgghte and read some of the venomous comments on this piece.

If You Take Down Israel, What Else Goes With It?

I came out into the lesbian-and-gay world in the middle of the last century and witnessed first-hand the persecution and oppression of LGBT people. It was because of those early experiences that Ive devoted the last forty years of my life to writing books and articles about LGBT history and tracking our progress as a community. What we have been fighting for and still have not fully achieved in the United States, LGBT Israelis have been able to enjoy with very little struggle. The American LGBT movement has every reason to envy and admire Israels enlightened policies towards their LGBT people. In America, as late as 2003 there were still fourteen states that punished gay men under sodomy laws. Israel abolished all sodomy laws in 1988. In America, weve been fighting for decades for a law that would end employment discrimination against LGBT people. A few states have passed such laws, but the federal government has not. Israel passed a law in 1992 that protects any citizen (Jewish, Christian, or Arab) from employment discrimination for being lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender. In America at mid-century, lesbians and gays in the military had to be absolutely closeted; they were witch-hunted and given Dishonorable discharges if found out. The Dont Ask Dont Tell policy that was passed during the Clinton administration was actually considered progressivea big improvement over the old policybecause lesbians and gays were to be booted out of the military only if they drew attention to their homosexuality. Finally now, eleven years into the 21st century, America is getting around to permitting lesbians and gays to serve openly in the military. Our Israeli brothers and sisters have been able to serve openly since 1993, and since 1997 a same-sex partner is recognized by the Israeli Defense Department as a member of the soldiers family. When I was doing research for my 2006 book, Gay L.A.: A History of Sexual Outlaws, Power Politics, and Lipstick Lesbians, I interviewed an eighty-three year old lesbian who had just lost her partner of almost fifty years. Their house had been in her partners name and because the partner died without a will, the law granted the house to the deceased womans distant cousin, with whom shed had no contact for decades. My eighty-three year old interviewee was left without a place to live. If shed been an Israeli citizenwhether Jewish, Christian, or Arabshe would be living in her home until her death because lesbian and gay couples have full inheritance rights under Israeli law.

My partner and I have been together for forty years. Like 18,000 other same-sex couples in California, we got married in 2008. Though all 36,000 of us are still married as far as the State of California is concerned, Proposition 8 banned same-sex marriage for all others. Because federal laws dont recognize our marriage, our legal bond doesnt do us much good anyway. If we should decide to move next door to Arizona or Las Vegas or Oregonor almost anywhere else in Americawe wouldnt be considered legally married. We both pay federal income tax, of course, but under the law we get none of the federal benefits that opposite-sex couples receive. In fact, the only result of our marriage with regard to taxes is that we have to pay our accountant triple: once for doing our state income tax as a married couple, a second and third time for doing our federal income tax as two single payers. And if one of us should die, thats the end of her social security benefits for which shed paid in for over half a century; the surviving spouse gets absolutely nothing of those benefits. If wed lived in Israel, wed be much better off: In 1994, the Israeli Supreme Court ruled in favor of granting spousal benefits to same-sex couples. In 2004, the Court ruled that LGBT couples could qualify for common-law marriage status. In 2005, legislation was passed in Israel recognizing all same-sex marriages that are performed abroad. So it puzzles me deeply when I hear of LGBT groups participating in wrong-headed actions such as the BDS movement against Israel. Outside of Israel, everywhere in the Middle East, LGBT people are utterly despised under the law. Indeed, official treatment of LGBT people in other Middle East countries makes the bar raids and job losses and police entrapments that we experienced in the 1950s and 60s seem like coddling. If a family wishes to rid itself of the embarrassment of a lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender member by honor killing there would be no legal consequences in the area governed by the Palestinian Authority or Hamas, or in Egypt, Iran, Jordan, Saudi Arabia or Syria. Needless to say, and as even the Amnesty International LGBT website shows, theres no Middle Eastern country other than Israel in which lesbian or gay couples can receive spousal benefits, none other than Israel in which lesbians and gays can serve openly in the military, none other than Israel that protects lesbians and gays from discrimination or hate crimes. (In Iran and Saudi Arabia were put to death. In Syria were thrown in prison for three years. In Egypt, were prosecuted under lewd conduct laws, and were illegal in Lebanon and Libya, too.) After long years of struggle, American LGBT people have finally won a modicum of freedom and justice. Why would we give our sympathies to those who deny our LGBT brothers and sisters the freedom and justice that we enjoy? And what insane logic and misinformation would make us withhold our sympathies from a country that grants our LGBT brothers and sisters not only the benefits that we enjoy but even more? Why in the world would we work against such a country?

Hadassah member Dr. Lillian Faderman, who wrote the article in The Advocate that has been reprinted here, has published eight books on LGBT history and literature. She is the recipient of several LGBT lifetime achievement awards, including Yale Universitys James Brudner Award, the Monette/Horwitz Award, Publishing Triangles Bill Whitehead Award, and the ONE National Archives Culture Hero Award.

Yahrzeit
Marcia Stivers Loretta Price Winifred (Tish) Becker Della Richtel Shirley Lev Vi Cherin Claire Werfel Henrietta Ravdin Phyllis Wilson Morris Horwitz Carolyn Pedowitz Reba Blum Phyllis Albert Phyllis Snyder Zehava Fishman Esther Rose

Civil
7/7/2011 7/16/2011 7/21/2011 7/23/2011 7/29/2011 8/7/2011 8/9/2011 8/15/2011 8/19/2011 8/29/2011 9/5/2011 9/7/2011 9/17/2011 9/17/2011 9/18/2011 9/30/2011

Jewish
Tammuz 5, 5771 Tammuz 14, 5771 Tammuz 19, 5771 Tammuz 21, 5771 Tammuz 27, 5771 Av 7, 5771 Av 9, 5771 Av 15, 5771 Av 19, 5771 Av 29, 5771 Elul 6, 5771 Elul 8, 5771 Elul 18, 5771 Elul 18, 5771 Elul 19, 5771 Tishrei 2, 5772

Condolences to
Jeanna Francis on the loss of her dear mother, Ruth Gailer.

Welcome New Life Members

Chris Brown Jill Siegel Marsha Wernick Donna Shepherd Lucia (Gifted by Bluma Felix. Donna lives in Buffalo Grove, Illinois)

Happy Anniversary
Marie & Dewey Slater July 15 Judith and Mario Reposo September 1 Patience Milrod and Paul Pierce September 23

Donations
In memory of Judy Horlick's brother, Irv Eison, from Lise Rosenthal In memory of Judy Horlick's brother Irv Eison from June Day In memory of my husband Ted, from Judy Horlick In memory of my son Michael from Judy Horlick In memory of Anne Richtel's sister from Emma Albert In honor of Susan Orovitz from Lise Rosenthal

September 29-30, 2011 Tishrei 1-2, 5771

Send your tax-deductible donations to Hadassah Treasurer, Judy Horlick 905 E Green Acres Dr. Fresno CA 93720
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July Birthdays 2011

John Clark Sue Seiden Benta Fries Ruth Mendelsohn Dr. Bernice Stone Sylvia Baggs Kathy Rosenfeld Judy Horlick Deborah Reba Max Rosenthal Janette Groger Betty Jarman-Adelson Sylvia Silberman Levi Felix Violet Golde Anita Kast July 3 July 3 July 5 July 5 July 5 July 13 July 20 July 21 July 21 July 21(10th) July 23 July 25 July 28 July 29 July 29(11th) July 29

A Thank You Note from Anne Richtel

To my Hadassah friends, just a simple message that brings the warmest thanks.

Keeper of the Gate

Peggy Shainberg has made her husband Howard a Keeper of the Gate.

August Birthdays 2011

Estelle Sawl Helen Steinbach Marian Mosley Ofra Pleban Lee Horwitz Marlene Dehn Hanna Krebs Melissa Wolfmann Chris Brown Jeanna Francis Smadar Aviv-Sievert Cynthia Rathwick Holly Bernstein Elaine Colett Dr. Sydne Weiner Andrea Gjerde Mario Reposo Stephanie Golden Edward Felix Lilian Koenig August 1 August 3 August 5 August 7 August 10 August 11 August 11 August 12 August 12 August 16 August 17 August 21 August 23 August 23 August 23 August 25 August 25 August 26 August 28 August 30

Womens Health Day Sunday, September 18 Mark Your Calendar

September Birthdays 2011

Audrey Silverman Shirley Cherniss Roni Weil Laurie Hart Betty Shampanier September 4 September 9 September 22 September 24 September 29
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to Jerry and Jenny Mann on the marriage of their daughter, Erin, to Evan Schnair.

DARROW PIERCE REFLECTS ON HER MOVE TO ISRAEL

July 13, 2011 (reprinted from Community Alliance with permission by the author)

In December of 2009, despite great opposition from family and friends, I moved to Israel, gained citizenship and started learning Hebrew in a kibbutz in northern Israel. In 2010, I joined Garin Tzabar(a program that helps new Israelis acclimate and prepare for their army service). My "garin" (meaning "seed" in Hebrew) has people from 10 different countries and lives on Kibbutz Nir Yitzhak. After living, learning, drafting, complaining, fighting, bonding, crying and laughing with each other, we've become a wonderfully eclectic sort of family. We live two kilometers from Gaza and a five-minute drive (as I accidentally discovered one day) from Egypt. Life on a kibbutz is normally a quiet one, but that's not the case where I live---Hamas regularly fires kassam rockets, 'patzmarim,' (rockets too small to trigger alarms) and the occasional phosphor bomb into my neighborhood. On weekends home from the army, (I'm on base from Sunday to Thursday, and my weekends are free off base) I often find myself running for my life to nearby bomb shelters or cooped up in them for hours on end. It was a hard thing to get used to after growing up in the Tower District. I can't begin to describe the immobilizing hopelessness you feel waiting for bombs to fall. Sometimes, you don't have time to be scared. You suddenly hear explosions and your doors and windows unexpectedly shake. It's not like this in the whole country; living so close to Gaza has some disadvantages. I drafted in January to be a physical trainer/sports instructor in the army. In basic training, we learned to shoot an M16. My officers repeatedly emphasized the responsibility of having a gun, the importance of using it only when absolutely necessary, respect, self-discipline, humility, and many other values good soldiers display. After finishing my course, in which I learned (in my new language) about physiology, nutrition, sports injuries and anatomy, I was placed on a base eight hours away from my kibbutz. The base focuses on education. New immigrants whose Hebrew levels aren't high enough go to study Hebrew and start basic training there. Because I have no family in Israel, I'm classified as a 'lonely soldier.' While other soldiers go back to a clean home and cry on mom's shoulder, complain to dad about how incompetent their officer is, and eat home-made food, lone soldiers must go home, do their own laundry, shop for and cook their own food, clean their own houses, and maybe skype their family if the time difference allows. The toll it takes on one is heavy and unexpected. I haven't seen my parents for eleven months, and by the time I go back I won't have been home for a year and a half.
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Overall, I'd say my experience in the Israeli army has been a positive one. It's the hardest thing I've ever done. Because I spoke no Hebrew before moving to Israel, I often found myself in trouble but unable to understand why. But the army has taught me many things besides a second language. I'm exposed to many different cultures and people--immigrants from all over the world, kibbutzniks, Druze, Israeli Arabs, people from villages, cities, religious, secular, etc... I've matured immensely and learned how to deal with stress better. I'm comfortable living alone. I'm financially independent. I can figure out how to get anywhere on a bus. Being forced to draft after high school creates a more mature younger generation. Instead of thinking about classes or work or what to do because they dropped out, Israeli high school graduates are focused on getting into the best army units possible. Because I drafted instead of going to college, I will bring a seriousness and focus to my formal education that I didn't possess before. Both being in the army and living in a war zone have also changed much of my political views on Israel. Before I moved here, I thought that it was easy for people to get along, and that everyone should simply do so. I once thought it unproductive to build walls and enforce blockades. But after seeing violence, deep-rooted, blind hatred and stubborn ignorance from both sides, and how every single person in Israel and Palestine is affected by war, I understand that it's not so simple. I've met many families that have had to bury children or parents or loved ones. Fear and pain are constant presences at every age. And when your own life is threatened time and time again, your opinions change. It's eternally frustrating to see how international media muddy things by irresponsibly regurgitating inaccuracies about what happens here without checking facts. The result is one-sided stories that distort Israel's actions. I'm not saying that Israel can do no wrong, but there are two sides to every coin, and there are no innocent parties here. So much falls through the cracks. For example, the world claims that Israeli aircraft indiscriminately bomb Gaza, but fails to mention Israel's extraordinary efforts to avoid civilian casualties, and that Israel launches airstrikes only in retaliation against Hamas' own strikes against the Israeli civilian population. There have been many times when I've wished to go home with all of my aching body and mind. But when I really think about it, I'd never trade this experience for anything. It was especially during those hard times that I grew as a person and as a citizen of this world. I once heard that moving to Israel is like a marriage---you give, take, fight, love, disagree, compromise, and work on your relationship with the country and the people. For some it doesn't work out, and others are happy for the rest of their lives. I don't know what'll happen after I discharge from the army, but for now, my marriage is going great.

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PEGGY SHAINBERG REPORTS ON THE HADASSAH NATIONAL BUSINESS MEETING 2011-- LAS VEGAS JULY 12-13.
It took three of us to replace our chapter President, Nancy Glassberg, who was not able to attend the meeting. Here we are: Carol Friedman, myself, and Shoshana Geron with our newly installed National President, Marcie Natan. Las Vegas was bustling, the hotel was huge and it was about a half-mile walk from our room to the convention center. Here are a few highlights: The first night was a reception for outgoing President Nancy Falchuk and members of the National Board. A good time. Getting down to business the next day, we attended the budget hearing and heard Nominating Committee Report. When the figures get up in the millions, it gets beyond my math, but Nancy will have a copy of all the reports. Later at the general session, Dr. Shlomo Mor-Yosef , HMO Director and Judy Swartz, Co-Chair Tower Campaign presented the latest news about the Sarah Wetsman Davidson Tower along with a video of the on-going construction. There was a gala dinner that night with our National Anthems, remarks by our Nevada hosts, and a lovely tribute by Bernice Tannenbaum to outgoing President Nancy Falchuk. The next morning we attended an interesting panel discussion, "Israel and Its Neighbors-The Changing Landscape." Jacob Dayan, Consul General of Israel in Los Angeles and Ester Kurz, AIPAC Legislative Strategy and Policy, addressed the forces at play in the region, the Arab Spring, and what the future holds for Israel's safety and security. Very fine presentation. Marcie Natan was installed as our new National President. She gave a very warm and passionate acceptance speech, telling us about her background with Hadassah and her vision to carry on the leadership and mission of Hadassah. Then we viewed a rousing video of Hadassah's impact on the land and people of Israel and, of course, a big invite to be part of the Centennial Celebration, Jerusalem, October 15-18, 2012. Think about it! Go on line at www.Hadassah.org for convention packets.

There must be more to life than Manischewitz... From the valleys of France, the slopes of the Andes, the plateaus of Spain, Israels Golan Heights*...to your table. Not just a wine...an experience

Bella Vino Cellar Fine Wines in Fig Garden Village 5148 N. Palm
10% of all kosher wine sales and 10% of sales from people who say theyre from Hadassah will be donated back to our chapter
* certified kosher by the rabbis of the Golan and Ashkelon
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A NOTE OF THANKS FROM BLUMA FELIX

Dear Friends, I want to thank everyone for presenting me with the 2011 Volunteer Award. What a lovely Donor luncheon Linda Nahan put on. Aside from the beauty of the way you set up the room, I believe EVERYONE loved the food! (and this is a difficult crowd to please when it comes to food!). Lise, you are always an eloquent speaker, and thank you for your wonderful words about me and my family. And thank you not only for the award that you created for me from our chapter, but also for somehow getting a personalized award from Nancy Falchuk, from National. Thanks to Judy Horlick for getting there early, and for always being there for our chapter, to greet people (and make sure they pay!) I was thrilled to have Edward (an Associate member) join us for a bit, while his patient was getting prepped for surgery! I know many of my friends originally showed up just for me, (not having been to a Donor luncheon before or for years) so I really THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart that you would do that. I believe seeing other friends and hearing about the many things Hadassah does for Medical Advancements, many of you have joined and will probably come again. Again thanks so much for the award and for attending the meeting. Hope to see you at the next event.

Bluma

WOMENS HEALTH DAY*

Hear what the experts have to say on womens health Meet physicians and other experts on womens health Get your questions answered Learn about benefits for women in the Health Care Reform law Share ideas over bagels and coffee and at lunch

All for $18 Sunday, September 18, 9:30 to 3 p.m., Temple Beth Israel, 6622 N. Maroa, Fresno. Reserve your place at womenshealthday@comcast.net or call Bernice Stone, 439-6557. *This event is co-sponsored by TBI Sisterhood and Hadassah.
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Hadassah 905 E. Green Acres Drive Fresno CA 93720-2570 (559) 226-4978 lise@rakefet.com Return Service Requested

NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID FRESNO, CA PERMIT NO. 515

Womens Zionist Organization of America Central Pacific Coast Region Fresno Chapter

WOMENS HEALTH DAY

Sunday, September 18, 2011 9:30 am-3 pm Temple Beth Israel 6622 N. Maroa Avenue, Fresno

Hear what the experts have to say on womens health Meet physicians and other experts on womens health Get your questions answered Learn about benefits for women in the Health Care Reform law Share ideas over bagels and coffee and at lunch All for $18

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