Hadassah Magazine readers, we want to hear from you! Please email letters to the editor to letters@hadassah.org. Read more letters here. 

In praise of female scribes in the tribe

It was so encouraging to read about women writing Torah scrolls in the November/December 2025 feature “Sacred Collaboration.” I grew up going to a synagogue where women were kept far from the Torah. B’not mitzvah merely stood on the lowest step of the bimah and promised to be dutiful Jewish women.

I didn’t want that for my own daughter, so we switched to a Reform synagogue where women were equals—we even had a female rabbi. Now I have grandchildren, and I am thrilled that they go to religious school in a synagogue where women not only are equal to the men, but they are also in leadership roles. And on Simchat Torah, for the first time in my life, I got to hold a Torah scroll.

Joyce Denn
Woodbury, Minn.

New film puts spotlight on Henrietta Szold

Members of the Jewish Federation of Greater Naples recently were treated to a showing of Labors of Love: The Life and Legacy of Henrietta Szold, a film reviewed in the article “Henrietta Szold Through a Personal Lens” (November/December issue). It was a packed house with the Collier/Lee Chapter of Hadassah well represented.

As chapter co-president, I was honored to be asked to introduce the film. Though the film was slightly repetitive at over 90 minutes, the men and women in the audience watched attentively as our founder’s life unfolded through director Abby Ginzberg’s personal and historical film. Much of the information about Szold covered in the documentary was new to viewers.

There were no dry eyes, and we welcomed several new members!

Nancy G. Wiadro
Naples, Fla.

A figure of inspiration

Thank you for the cover story, “An Unlikely Rabbi,” in the November/December issue. I am deeply affected by Rabbi Angela Buchdahl’s beautiful voice, and by the fact that she is able to speak so movingly about her past and the challenges she overcame with time. Rabbi Buchdahl has motivated me to believe and practice Judaism wherever I am. Thank you for the inspiration. 

Rochelle Miller
Naples, Fla.

I am sure I speak for the vast majority of Hadassah Magazine readers when I say I am happy for Rabbi Angela Buchdahl and all she has achieved and contributed to Judaism.

However, I was dismayed to read her overly concerned words for the Palestinian people. They do not need her support, since they receive it from virtually the entire world while we Jews get the opposite.

Rabbi Buchdahl should keep things in perspective in these fraught times for Jews in the United States and especially now in New York City after the mayoral election. 

Dave Rubin
New York, N.Y.

Discussing death can reduce anxiety 

I recently read the article “ ‘Talking About Death Won’t Kill You,’ and It Might Help” in the November/December issue. As the author of the newly released book, It Won’t Kill You to Talk About Death: Why Talking Now Allows You to Live More Fully Tomorrow. A Practical Planning Guide, it was heartening to see Hadassah Magazine bring attention to this important topic.

My work in hospice has shown me again and again that the fear of discussing death often creates more suffering than the realities themselves. The magazine article highlights the same truth: When we give people permission, language and community around this topic, we reduce anxiety and open the door to healing, clarity and connection.

Thank you for shedding light on this subject. The more voices we have encouraging open, honest dialogue about death, the more empowered our communities will be in life.

Honey Berg
Saratoga, Calif.

Pro-Israel, but what about abortion rights? 

I’m a new Hadassah member, and I appreciated seeing Allison Tombros Korman honored for her pro-choice advocacy while also being a strong Zionist (“18 Women With Zionist Cred” in the July/August 2025 issue).
But I was shocked to see in the same story that Hadassah honored Hollywood actor Patricia Heaton, who may side with Israel but is publicly anti-choice. Heaton not only wants to deny women the right to an abortion, but she also opposes euthanasia, stem cell research and mandates for health insurance to cover birth control.

The nod to Heaton seemed doubly insulting to Korman, who is the founder of the Red Tent Fund, an organization that works to increase women’s autonomy and access to choice. In the article, Korman revealed how her support for Israel alienated her within the pro-choice community. And so she created a program to defend choice as well as Israel, much like Hadassah does.

It’s rather baffling to see Heaton being given the same honor as Korman.

Allison Ostrer
Seattle, Wash.