By GREER FAY CASHMANHadassah Medical Center(photo credit: WWW.HADASSAH.ORG.IL)
IF YOU were told that you had to go through a very discomforting illness, but that you could choose which one, bets are high that few would choose osteoporosis, which causes chronic pain and in some cases distorts the body. It is a debilitating illness that makes bones fragile so that they break easily. More often than not, its victims are elderly, so recovery from fractures is usually slow.Whereas not so many years ago, physicians were reluctant to share much information about illnesses and diseases, these days it’s the exact opposite and physicians are all too keen to tell patients or potential patients about being alert to symptoms, taking tests, side effects of medications, etc. Understandably, the Hadassah chapters of volunteers, whose efforts help to swell the funds of the Hadassah Medical Center to use for equipment and other projects, take full advantage of their proximity to Hadassah physicians and invite them to give talks about their respective areas of expertise.On May 15, Dr. Menachem Marcus will be the guest speaker of the Tamar Chapter of Hadassah at the AACI Max and Gianna Glassman Family Center, 37 Pierre Koenig Street. His subject will be ‘Osteoporosis 2017 – what you need to know.’ FOURJERUSALEM Hadassah chapters will come together for a joint fund-raiser at the Jerusalem YMCA at 7 p.m. on Monday, June 5. Entertainment will be provided by Tal Kravitz, a musician and singer, in what he calls “an encounter between classic Israeli music and ethnic instruments from around the world.” His repertoire includes Israeli classics, Yiddish, hassidic and holiday songs.Kravitz has performed all over the world, and if anyone would like to check him out to see if he conforms with their taste, there are several YouTube clips available.In addition, there will be a special performance celebrating 50 years of the reunification of Jerusalem by Hanan Avital and the Pirhei Yerushalayim Choir.Tickets are NIS 50 each. All proceeds will be directed to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Hadassah.TICKETS ARE still available for the opening session of the Jerusalem Press Club’s international conference on Freedom of the Press in a Digital Era. The star attraction at the opening session at 5 p.m. on Monday, May 8, is Carl Bernstein, the Washington Post reporter who together with Bob Woodward broke the Watergate story that later became a best-selling book and a film. Bernstein will reflect on relations between the government and the press from US president Richard Nixon to President Donald Trump.FOR WHATEVER reason, this is Australia’s year in Israel. There are loads of Australian tourists and more will be coming for various Australian-related anniversaries and activities.Several Australians – most notably Selina and Jack Beris – are involved with Alyn Orthopedic Hospital and Rehabilitation Center, where they decided to present the acclaimed Australian film The Dressmaker, which was screened last year at the Australian film festival at the Cinematheque. Whoever hasn’t seen it should really take advantage of the opportunity, because for all its fantasy, it does show a slice of Australian life.
Also in attendance will be two members of the Australian Embassy: Helen Zhang and Nicholas Cooper. Australian expats who didn’t make it to the ANZAC Day ceremony last week can make up for the lost opportunity to get together with other Aussies at 7.30 p.m. on May 17 at Alyn, 84 Shmaryahu Levin Street, Kiryat HaYovel.Refreshments will include Australia’s national dessert – pavlova.Donation is NIS 100, with all proceeds going toward the purchase of medical equipment that is essential for the children of Alyn. For reservations call Toby Shuster (02) 563-3775; Marcia Lewison (02) 572-2453 or Jody Garfinkle (02) 567-0204. Film fans and anyone who wants to help a child are welcome – even if you are not from down under.