Hadassah elects new national president

Ellen Hershkin set to take over from Marcie Natan

By JENNA PERLMAN
Doctors oversee patient (photo credit: DANI MACHLIS/BGU)
Doctors oversee patient
(photo credit: DANI MACHLIS/BGU)
The Hadassah Woman’s Zionist Organization of America elected Ellen Hershkin as its national president at the foundation’s national annual meeting in Philadelphia.
Hershkin is HWZOA’s 26th president to be elected in Hadassah’s 103 years of existence and will lead the organization in national and international initiatives.
Hershkin is taking over for Marcie Natan, who has been serving as president since 2011. She served as president during the Hadassah University Medical Center financial crisis in late 2013, and will continue to serve as president until January 1, 2016, after which Hershkin will begin her tenure.
“I want to first thank Marcie Natan for her tireless commitment, devotion and leadership to Hadassah,” said Hershkin, elected at the annual meeting on Monday. “During my past 42 years of service to Hadassah, I’ve witnessed the accomplishments of this outstanding organization and I am humbled to be the new national president.”
Hadassah Woman’s Zionist Organization of America was founded in 1912 as a volunteer organization with a commitment to the partnership between Israel and the United States. Through research and medical care at Hadassah Medical Organization in Jerusalem, Hadassah has improved health care for people worldwide.
“I am energized to continue Hadassah’s critical work in saving lives through ground-breaking medical research at the Hadassah Medical Organization, and in empowering Jewish women to be leaders by addressing today’s most relevant issues,” said the president-elect.
Hershkin has been a member of HWZOA since 1973, and has served on the national board and executive committee of the organization. She has held various positions on the HWZOA including national vice president, national secretary, national chair of Hadassah’s Membership Outreach Department, national chairwoman of the Public Affairs Department and national chair of Hadassah’s Convention in 2004. In addition to those positions, she has served as a member of various committees throughout HWZOA.
Natan expressed faith in her predecessor, stating that,“I am confident she will lead Hadassah in continuing to achieve the great milestones that this organization is known for.”