Hadassah, the Women's Zionist Organization of America. Cleveland Chapter

Hadassah, Cleveland Chapter (f. 1913) is part of a national organization established to promote Jewish institutions in Palestine and to foster Zionist ideals. For a history of the organization, see the register to Ms. 3956 Hadassah, the Women's Zionist Organization of America, Cleveland Chapter Records.

Organized in 1913 to promote Jewish institutions in Palestine and foster Zionist ideals.

Established in 1913 as Shoshana Chapter, Daughters of Zion. The organization, founded by Henrietta Szold, changed its name to Hadassah in 1914. Its main focus was and is fund-raising for the Hadassah Medical Organization in Israel.

The Cleveland, Ohio Chapter of Hadassah was established in June 1913 by twenty-one charter members meeting in the home of Dr. Isidore and Kate Biskind. Originally known as Shoshana Chapter of the Daughters of Zion, it was the third chapter of a national organization established a year earlier by Henrietta Szold. Within one year, the organization changed its name to Haddassah and the Cleveland chapter had enrolled 400 members. By 1919, the local membership was over 1000.

Prior to the formation of the Cleveland chapter, Rachel Landy, a local nurse, was sent to Palestine along with Rose Kaplan of New York by the New York and Baltimore chapters to conduct district nursing visits. They established the first Hadassah House nursing center in Palestine in the Mea Shearim neighborhood of Jerusalem. Out of this effort grew the Hadasah Medical Organization which became and remains a primary focus for Hadassah fundraising.

Promoting Jewish institutions in Palestine and fostering Zionist ideals among American Jewry were Hadassah's initial goals. The Cleveland chapter provided Hebrew classes for its members beginning in 1914 under the direction of Leah Garber. Under the leadership of its first president, Elsa Rogat, Hadassah instituted annual dinner dances and raffles to raise funds for the upbuilding work in Palestine. During Kate Biskind's presidency (1915-1919), Hadassah participated in the Zionist Organization of America's Palestine Restoration Fund drives. Biskind resigned in 1919 to settle in Palestine where her husband became the first director of the Hadassah medical unit.

Hadassah membership increase during the 1920s despite the general decline in Zionist memberships locally and nationally. In 1923, Junior Hadassah was established for the purpose of raising funds to assist in the care of Jewish orphans in Palestine. During the mid 1920s, the Cleveland chapter of Hadassah received an honor from the national for the largest proportional increase in membership among all of the chapters.

In 1925, Yonina Friedland reestablished Hebrew classes for Hadassah members. In 1932, study groups were established to formalize the cultural and political educational offerings of the chapter. Soon thereafter, the Cleveland chapter created a Department of Education. In the area of fund raising, the Cleveland chapter innovated the donor luncheon which became a major forum for collecting funds.

During World War II, the Cleveland chapter helped organize Red Cross blood donation drives, offered first aid courses, and bought and sold war bonds. Today, with a membership of near 4000 (as of 1984), it supports the Hadassah Hebrew University Medical Center in Israel, schools and hospitals, and youth villages; conducts educational and cultural programs for members; and sponsors a Zionist youth group, Hashachar-Young Judea.

click here to view the Encyclopedia of Cleveland History entry for Hadassah

The Cleveland, Ohio Chapter of Hadassah was established in June 1913 by twenty-one charter members meeting in the home of Dr. Isidore and Kate Biskind. Originally known as Shoshana Chapter of the Daughters of Zion, it was the third chapter of a national organization established a year earlier by Henrietta Szold. Within one year, the organization changed its name to Haddassah and the Cleveland chapter had enrolled 400 members. By 1919, the local membership was over 1000.

Prior to the formation of the Cleveland chapter, Rachel Landy, a local nurse, was sent to Palestine along with Rose Kaplan of New York by the New York and Baltimore chapters to conduct district nursing visits. They established the first Hadassah House nursing center in Palestine in the Mea Shearim neighborhood of Jerusalem. Out of this effort grew the Hadasah Medical Organization which became and remains a primary focus for Hadassah fundraising.

Promoting Jewish institutions in Palestine and fostering Zionist ideals among American Jewry were Hadassah's initial goals. The Cleveland chapter provided Hebrew classes for its members beginning in 1914 under the direction of Leah Garber. Under the leadership of its first president, Elsa Rogat, Hadassah instituted annual dinner dances and raffles to raise funds for the upbuilding work in Palestine. During Kate Biskind's presidency (1915-1919), Hadassah participated in the Zionist Organization of America's Palestine Restoration Fund drives. Biskind resigned in 1919 to settle in Palestine where her husband became the first director of the Hadassah medical unit.

Hadassah membership increase during the 1920s despite the general decline in Zionist memberships locally and nationally. In 1923, Junior Hadassah was established for the purpose of raising funds to assist in the care of Jewish orphans in Palestine. During the mid 1920s, the Cleveland chapter of Hadassah received an honor from the national for the largest proportional increase in membership among all of the chapters.

In 1925, Yonina Friedland reestablished Hebrew classes for Hadassah members. In 1932, study groups were established to formalize the cultural and political educational offerings of the chapter. Soon thereafter, the Cleveland chapter created a Department of Education. In the area of fund raising, the Cleveland chapter innovated the donor luncheon which became a major forum for collecting funds.

During World War II, the Cleveland chapter helped organize Red Cross blood donation drives, offered first aid courses, and bought and sold war bonds. Today, with a membership of near 4000 (as of 1984), it supports the Hadassah Hebrew University Medical Center in Israel, schools and hospitals, and youth villages; conducts educational and cultural programs for members; and sponsors a Zionist youth group, Hashachar-Young Judea.

click here to view the Encyclopedia of Cleveland History entry for Hadassah