As I complete my first year as the CEO of Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America, I’m overwhelmed with gratitude. I’m grateful for the partnership I have with our volunteer leaders, especially with National President Carol Ann Schwartz. I’m grateful for the dedicated members I’ve met around the country and for the remarkable staff we have in the United States, in Israel and around the globe, including a leadership team that has my complete and total confidence. I’m grateful for the amazing team that runs our hospitals and youth villages in Israel—it gives me tremendous pride to see the work they are accomplishing. 

But most of all, I’m grateful for the trust that I’ve been given to lead Hadassah into the future. I’ve never before had a job where my personal values align so closely with the mission of an organization. Each day is truly a blessing, but there have been a few days over the course of the year that stand out as representative of the magnitude of our work. 

Last June, I received one of the hardest phone calls of my life. A group of pro-Israel advocates had been rallying in a park in Boulder, Colo., on behalf of the hostages still held in Gaza when they were attacked by a man hurling firebombs. Six individuals affiliated with Hadassah were hurt, including Karen Diamond, who later succumbed to her injuries. 

Over the coming weeks, I was struck by two things. I was amazed by the sheer number of Hadassah members and supporters around the country who were also participating in local, and for the most part quiet, protests in their communities. I worked with our security team to make sure that Hadassah could provide adequate security for them. And I found that we, as an organization, have an important voice—and that I would be given opportunities to represent all of you by using my voice in various halls of power. 

I was invited in June to the white House to speak about antisemitism in America. A few weeks later, Carol Ann and I attended a meeting with the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations and the Jewish Federations of North America to demand governmental support for Jewish communal security. I’ve also spoken with United States representatives, senators and federal judges about protecting the nation’s Jewish population amid rising antisemitism.

Several months later, I was in Jerusalem with Carol Ann. We had been attending a ceremony at Hadassah Hospital Ein Kerem to celebrate the upcoming Rosh Hashanah holiday when news came in of a terror attack near the Ramot Junction. I watched our incredible medical staff jump into action as the ambulances started to arrive. 

Later that day, Carol Ann and I sat at the bedside of gunshot victims and met with traumatized individuals as well as family members awaiting news of loved ones in surgery. It was a somber day as we learned that some of the victims who were killed were part of the Hadassah family. 

Yet as we left the hospital later that night and went into town, we were struck by the resilience of the Israeli people. Restaurants and cafes were full, buses were running, life went on. 

It’s that same strength of spirit that drives Hadassah and allows us to move our mission forward, starting with our medical staff in Jerusalem. 

As we begin the secular new year, I want to remind myself of these important moments. It lights a fire in my belly to speak out, to stay focused, to work toward finding the resources to support our efforts. We have lots of work to do together. I’m grateful for your partnership.

Ellen Finkelstein is the CEO and executive director of Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America.