Grapevine: Musical chairs at Hadassah

"The financial straits of the Hadassah Medical Organization have caused a few upheavals in the management."

By GREER FAY CASHMAN
Hadassah Medical Center, Jerusalem. (photo credit: Wikimedia Commons)
Hadassah Medical Center, Jerusalem.
(photo credit: Wikimedia Commons)
THE FINANCIAL straits of the Hadassah Medical Organization have caused a few upheavals in the management of both the organization and the Hadassah Medical Center. In October, four of the members of the board including the chair, Esther Dominissini, resigned. Reports in local media supplements allege that board members are having a hard time with policies executed by directorgeneral Avigdor Kaplan. One of the new faces on the board is that of Avi Balashnikov, who is the Israel representative of international businessman and philanthropist Ronald Lauder, president of the World Jewish Congress and who has extensive investments in Israel. Balashnikov insists that Lauder is not involved in his decision to join the board. It was a decision that he reached as a caring Jerusalemite whose children were born at Hadassah. As he knows Hadassah National President Marcie Natan, he called her, offered his services in a voluntary capacity and was accepted.
IT WAS almost in the nature of an old boys’ reunion when “Mr. Television” Haim Yavin, former director-general of the Israel Broadcasting Authority Moti Kirschenbaum, and veteran broadcaster Ya’akov Ahimeir, traveled to Haifa this week to participate in the University of Haifa’s conference on communications. But the main purpose of their visit was to collectively present a life achievement award, to former colleague Amos Carmeli, who for 60 years has been a journalist, and for much of that period, was Chanel 1’s man in the north. Throughout his career with the IBA, more than 3,000 of his reports and documentary features were aired.
GUESTS FROM a wide spectrum of Israeli society congregated at the Avenue in Airport City last Saturday night to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Leket Israel – The National Food Bank, which provides food for the needy by rescuing fresh, excess food from hundreds of suppliers across the country. The gala event was dedicated to raising awareness and funds, as well as to celebrate Leket’s evergrowing number of volunteers. Some 900 people attended the event, reflecting only a fraction of the 50,000 annual volunteers and supporters without whose generosity the organization would not be able to function, said Leket founder Joseph Gitler, noting that Leket provides nutritional support to more than 140,000 Israelis each week. Among the guests were US Ambassador Dan Shapiro and his wife, Julie Fischer, who together with their three children, have been amongst Leket’s volunteers. Also present were former government minister Haim Ramon, Keter chairman Sami Sagol, Leket CEO Gidi Kroch, Ra’anana Mayor Ze’ev Bielski, Jacob Sudri, the Jerusalem regional director of the Fattal hotel chain, and many other well-known personalities.
MANY LEADING figures from the business world congregated at the Jaffa-Tel Aviv Restaurant to participate in a Make-a-Wish event to benefit children with lifethreatening illnesses, by helping to grant a wish that will bring joy into their lives. Guests were welcomed by Batya Ofer, the organization’s goodwill ambassador, and Denise Ben Aharon, the organization’s founder. Individuals and organizations who have helped to make wishes come true were given special citations – particularly public relations and advertising agencies that bring the organization’s work to public attention. Ofer, who currently lives in London, specially came to Israel for the occasion. Among the guests were Dorit Wertheim, lawyer Yair Caspi, Boaz Schwartz, Elyezer Shkedi (who is stepping down from his position as CEO of El Al), Udi Angel, Ron Zuckerman and Nir Gilad.