Spring 2016
Wilmington Hadassah
Become a Keeper of the Gate
Keeper of the Gate is a recurring gift program for donors who can give
$,1000.00 or more annually for as many years as they choose. Donors of
this program save lives every day, ensure Jewish continuity and provide
for tomorrow’s medical miracles that someday could save someone we
love.
Please help us celebrate life and recognize the positive impact an annual
gift means to the work of Hadassah. Keepers of the Gate have breathed
life into many projects and programs of Hadassah. As with any organization we cannot rest on past laurels. To ensure that Hadassah’s lifesaving
and life-enhancing work endures and grows we ask that you “rededicate”
yourself as we move forward...become a Keeper of the Gate.
On June 5, 2016 the Wilmington Chapter of Hadassah will host a greet
and meet for all members interested in learning more about the Keeper of
the Gate program or who are interested in becoming a Keeper of the
Gate. Please mark your calendar and plan on coming to hear more about
the importance of giving annually to sustain all Hadassah’s lifesaving and
life-enhancing work. We are hoping to hear from many of our life
members...reaffirm your belief in and commitment to Hadassah. Donations can be designated for specific programs like HMO Research (leading
the world in stem cells and neurodegenerative diseases such as MS, ALS,
Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and macular degeneration). Payments can be
made in a variety of ways, even in installments.
For more information and/or any questions regarding this annual
giving program please contact Rhoda Dombchik at [email protected], (302) 475-7150 or Maureen LaPorte at
[email protected], (302) 656-0327.
We are looking for women age 45 and under to get together to brainstorm activities and
events that would interest be of interest to them. We are considering holding a kick-off
event for National Hadassah's Every Step Counts on Sunday April 10th from 9-10:30
AM. The chapter is in need of a chairperson and people who are interested in making
this a fun event that would attract a large number of people.
Please contact Rhoda Dombchik at [email protected], (302) 475-7150 or Suzy
Grumbacher at [email protected], (302) 764-8050 .
A Jewish Film Series
featuring Jewish-themed
films from around the world
March 6th, 13th and 20th,
3:00 PM at Theatre N at
Nemours
Presented by the Adas
Kodesch Shel Emeth
Education Committee &
Wilmington Hadassah
See page 3 for more details
In This Issue

Jewish Film Series

Spring Events
(including Book
Groups)

Special Days and
Hadassah
Happenings

Member Updates
Save The Date For
These 2016 Events
March 2016 Jewish Film Series.
See page 3 for film
descriptions.

March 6th Regina

March 13th Nora’s Will

March 20th A Matter of Size
March 12th Hadassah Shabbat.
See page 3 for details.
April 3rd Brunch at the Levy’s.
See page 3 for more
details.
Winter Tea
April 28th Newark Book Group:
The Hired Girl by Lauren Amy Schlitz
Almost 30 attended a lovely tea with great company and…what else but great
food prepared by Hadassah chefs? Thanks to helpers Aniko Czobor, Livia Gellert,
Olga Kottler, Esther Schmerling and especially Rosalie Dior who made last-minute
arrangements to change locations to TBE’s Tempko Building. Thanks to cooks
Aniko, Olga, Esther, Laurie Baker, Adeline Holob, Marcia Adato and Norma Pressman, no one went hungry!
June 5th Keepers of the Gate reception
Thanks to Lisa Elliot for arranging for our speaker, Dr. Jeff Roth. Jeff is currently a
Wilmington University adjunct professor and has written a middle school crisis
manual and helped initiate and lead the Brandywine School District’s Crisis Response Team. From years of experience, he summarized coping skills that help in
coping with trauma. The wonderful news is: most people are resilient in the face of
trauma. Also rituals, like our Jewish shiva and other mourning rituals, and social
and community support, are tremendously helpful.
September 12 General Meeting and Ice
Cream Social
Dr. Roth shared other insights into promoting resilience. For example, preparing
people on what to expect, giving self-expression outlets (i.e., journaling). Children
should be reassured that they will be safe and secure. All people can benefit from
others being present, listening, offering practical assistance.
July 2016 Summer Picnic
September 15 Candidates Forum
October 2016 Supper in the Sukkah
The program ended and lo and behold, we walked out to a beautiful
double-rainbow, giving us all hope for resilience in the face of many personal and
world traumas.
2
Upcoming Chapter Events
Jewish Film Series Presented by the Adas Kodesch Shel Emeth Education Committee and
Wilmington Hadassah
March 6th at 3:00 PM
Regina (United Kingdom, Hungary)
Diana Groós’s poetic documentary tells the story of Regina Jonas (1902-1944), a strong woman who made history by becoming the first properly ordained woman rabbi in the world.
March 12th at 3:00 PM
Nora’s Will (Mexico)
A comedy like nothing you’ve seen before, writer/director Mariana Chenillo presents a unique tale of lost faith and eternal
love. When his ex-wife Nora dies the night before Passover, José (Fernando Luján) is forced to stay with her body until she
can be properly buried. Nora’s Will was named Mexico’s Best Picture of the Year, taking home seven Ariel Awards.
March 20th at 3:00 PM
A Matter of Size (Israel)
A hilarious and heart-warming tale about a coming out of a different kind: four overweight guys learn to love themselves
through the Japanese sport of sumo wrestling.
All films will be screened a Theatre N in Wilmington.
A discussion will follow each screening.
Tickets: $10 for the general public; $8 for members of Hadassah or of any synagogue
Hadassah Shabbat - Saturday morning March 12, 2016
Hadassah Shabbat is an annual event that allows the women of Hadassah to partner with area synagogues to take part in Shabbat services.
We try to choose a different synagogue each year. We also try to include both Friday evening and Saturday morning services.
This year, Rabbi Micah-Becker-Klein has invited us to join the Temple Beth El community in Newark on Saturday morning. Hadassah members will have the opportunity to offer prayers, to read torah, and to be called to the torah for an aliyah. This is our chance to celebrate
Hadassah’s presence in the community, including highlights of our work in medical care, education, and advocacy here and in Israel.
Temple Beth El is located at 301 Possum Park Rd, Newark, DE 19711. Services begin at 10:15, and are preceded by a guided meditation
session at 9:30 to get you into that Shabbat mood.
Be sure to come and take part in this festive occasion. Contact Lisa Elliott, [email protected] or (302) 239-4100
for more information.
3
Upcoming Chapter Events
Wilmington Book Groups
Discussion of Mark Russ Federman's memoir, "Russ and Daughters: Reflections and Recipes from The House that Herring
Built", followed by shmoozing and eating.

Afternoon Book Group - March 3, 2016 at 1:30 PM
Facilitator - Devara Goodman
RSVP for address and directions to Harriet Ainbinder at (302) 478-6314 or [email protected]

Evening Book Group March 3, 2016 at 7:30 PM
Facilitator - Barbara Siegell
RSVP for address and directions to Sue Cherrin at (302) 475-0523 or [email protected]
Newark Book Groups

TBD - March 24, 2016 at 7:30 PM
RSVP for address and directions to Marian Palley at (302) 731-4173 or [email protected]

The Hired Girl - April 28, 2016 at 7:30 PM
Presenter - Laurie Baker
RSVP for address and directions to Laurie Baker at (302) 455-1354 or [email protected]

My Promised Land - May 26, 2016 @ 7:30 PM
Presenter - Marilyn Denn
April Brunch: Celebrate our Heroes April 3, 2016 at 11:00 AM (DATE CHANGE)
We will "Celebrate our Heroes" and honor holocaust survivors in our community. Hadassah Associate, Steve Gonzer will
discuss the film "No Denying" - discussing what went into the films and insights gained.
Location: 19 Perth Drive, Wilmington, DE 19803
RSVP: To Elaine Schmerling, [email protected] or (302) 475-3708
Fee: $12 OR a dish to share
Women’s Clothing Drive
The annual drive for women’s clothing will be held April 4-13 to benefit the Friendship House Clothing Bank of Delaware.
Contributions of suits, dresses, slacks, skirts, sweaters, blouses, accessories, and other items in good condition, that are
appropriate for women are
welcome. Tax receipts will be available at the collection boxes.
The Clothing Drive is co-chaired by Esther Schmerling (302-475-0297) and Michele Sands (302-478-6391). Contact
one of these Hadassah members if you have any questions .
4
Special Days
We honor our members on their Special Days (birthdays and anniversaries) EVERY 5 YEARS (i.e. - 25,30,35,40...)
Call or email Ann Jaffe (302-762-5882 or [email protected]) and let her know who you would like to honor in March, April, and May
2016. A beautiful certificate is mailed to the honoree for just $3. Honor any number of members at $3 each and earn 100% Donor Credit!
Consider setting up an account and paying in advance; if you prepay (e.g., $30 to honor 10 members) you can call or email Ann when you
want to honor someone instead of sending a separate check each time. Write “SPECIAL DAYS” in the memo line of your check, make it out
to HADASSAH and mail it to Ann Jaffe, 6 Penny Lane Ct, Wilmington, DE 19803.
5
Yahrzeits
Some words from Yahrzeit Chair, Tina Heiman
Hadassah’s Yahrzeit in Israel program ensures that Kaddish will be said for your loved ones in perpetuity. To know that the prayer of
remembrance will be said each year in the Abbell Chapel at Hadassah Hospital, surrounded by the magnificent Chagall windows, is a true
comfort.
Arranging for a Yahrzeit in Israel is not only easy you will know that your contribution is going to Hadassah Hospital – still the bridge to peace
in a region of turmoil. It is a great way, as well, to become a part of Hadassah’s cumulative giving program. Making the $1,000 contribution
for a yahrzeit sets you on the path so that all subsequent contributions, no matter how large or how small, will be added to your cumulative
total.
For many years we have listed yahrzeits in our chapter bulletin and will attempt to continue this. Due to much effort from Blanche Reine, who
coordinated our yahrzeit calendar with National’s tech department, we have a path to create the list for the coming years. However, there can
be errors. Please know that National lists the names of those to be remembered under the umbrella of the donor’s contributions. If we are
going to list yahrzeits in our bulletin and online, we want to make sure that we have the correct information. If you notice an error or omission
please contact me by email with the details requested - ([email protected]).
You will need to provide the name of the person who paid for the perpetual yahrzeit, approximately when the donation was made, and the
date of death of the person to be remembered (before or after sundown). I will have to verify the information with National in order to add it to
our list and may need to obtain additional information from you.
If you thought that a yahrzeit had been purchased but neither you nor National has a record of it, there is no time like the present to make this
contribution. If you purchased a perpetual yahrzeit on Hadassah’s website (and it’s quite easy to do) please forward me the information as
well. Once I verify with National, your loved one’s name and yahrzeit date will be on our list. As you know the date changes each year with
the calendar, and we do our best to make it accurate.
Thanks much for taking the time to read this and for your love of Hadassah.
6
Member Updates
Mazel Tov
SUZY & PETER GRUMBACHER on the marriage of their daughter ELANA to Howard Marcus.
MARCY & Joel MIRMELSTEIN on the birth of granddaughter, Alexandra Jane Britz.
DORY & Joe GOLDBERG on the birth of their granddaughter, Jake Naomi.
EILEEN COHEN on the birth of her granddaughter, Juniper Lee to EMILY COHEN & Brad Weikel.
Sympathy To
BARBARA ABRAMS on the loss of her husband, Herb.
SARAH BAKER ANDRUS on the loss of her step-father, Lewis Batist.
ROSALYN CHASIN on the loss of her younger brother, Sheldon Levin.
ROBERTA CUTLER on the loss of her brother-in-law, Carl.
Ted Haynes on the loss of his wife, PAULA HAYNES, mother of KATE HAYNES & JENNIFER HAYNES and daughter of
CLARA MATTES.
KEN KAMM on the loss of his sister, Roxane Kamm Riva.
ARLENE ECKELL on the loss of her mother, GOLDIE GIBBS
Meshbesher family on the loss of LYNNE MESHBESHER.
SHELLEY STEIN on the loss of her father, Sidney Gold.
BARBARA YALISOVE on the loss of her long-time companion LEONARD COOK.
L'Chaim!
By Peter Grumbacher
We are told that the slaves who left Egypt never changed their names during their four hundred-plus years in captivity. That is to say that
Shmuel didn't become Sean and Miriam didn't become Melody. They distinguished themselves by their pride in their heritage. Under other
circumstances, they could have been absorbed into Egyptian society by adopting Egyptian names. This has been a phenomenon in every
host country where Jews have lived.
It was different though in Persia. We are told that the woman we know as Esther was given the birth name of Hadassah. Mordecai and
Esther sound a lot like the Persian deities Marduk and Ishtar. Case closed!
There is no question that Esther was a hero. The Purim story informs us that she braved the possibility of death by walking into the court of
her husband, the king, Ahaseurus, without having been summoned. Yes, it took her a while and she had to be prompted by her uncle Mordecai, but she told Ahaseurus that she was a Jew and that her people - our people - were in peril at the hands of Haman. Whether or not this
tale is an historic event is totally irrelevant. As I've written so many times, never let the facts interfere with the truth. The truth is the lesson
that we must have pride in our People, not hide our accomplishments, but through deed tell the world what we're all about.
Those of us who support Hadassah, not the woman but the organization, inform the world that we are proud of who we are, proud of our
past, proud of our HMO, and dedicated to its mission and the promise of the land in which she is found. That's what we're all about! Whether
or not we like the policies of her Prime Minister and government, we know that Hadassah rises above all that to be there for all people,
7
Member Updates
A Banner Year for Membership!
Welcome to all of our New Members
2015 was a wonderful year for membership. We met our membership goal and now have 1118 members in our local chapter, including 36
new annual members just since June!!! Thank you to all those who gave a gift of free annual membership to their friends and/or family. We
are also pleased to have new Life Members and new child members. Hadassah stays strong with continuing growth in membership.
Our chapter is so fortunate that we now have many young women as members. n the near future we will be having events that will be designed for these women, a great sub- group of our large and varied chapter. We want them to be introduced to each other and to the many
ideals of Hadassah.
A big welcome to the following new members:
Annual Members:
Stephanie Rosenberg, Gifted by Jenn Steinberg
Pam Levin, Gifted by Elaine Schmerling
Desiree Annis, Gifted by Esther Timmeney
Dana Galcyzk, Gifted by Sylvia Wagman
Leah Rosenberg, Gifted by Judi Rosenberg
Jen Fisher, Gifted by Jenn Steinberg
Lucie Shader, Gifted by Rhoda Dombchik
Wendy Harvis, Gifted by Sylvia Wagman
Helena Wallach, Gifted by Orly Wallach
Julie Levenson, Gifted by Jenn Steinberg
Melissa Rosenthal, Gifted by Jenn Steinberg
Jill Tobias, Gifted by Sylvia Wagman
Samantha Lukoff, Gifted by Jenn Steinberg
Deborah Dintenfass, Gifted by Rhoda Dombchik
Caryn Tazartus
Ellen Weingart , Gifted by Claire Kantar
Transfer-In Life Member:
Ali Mendelson
Life Membership is still only $212. Pay using a 6-month credit card payment plan (6 payments of $35.33) or in one check. Annual Membership is $36. Include your name and the name(s) of the person(s) you are gifting, their birthdates and anniversaries, if applicable (month/date/
year) as well as email and mailing address. Information and payment by credit card or check, made payable to Hadassah, should be sent
to: Ella Zukoff, 2523 Bona Road, Wilmington, DE 19810. Call Ella at (302) 478-4734 if you prefer to provide credit card information by
phone.
For any membership questions, please call or email either Judi Rosenberg ([email protected]; (302) 478-8336) or Sylvia Wagman
([email protected]; (302) 475-8351).
8
HOW TO CONTACT YOUR WILMINGTON
CHAPTER EXECUTIVE BOARD
President: OPEN
Fundraising VP: OPEN
Membership VP: Judi Rosenberg (302) 478-8336; Sylvia Wagman (302) 475-8351
Program VP: Elaine Schmerling (302) 475-3708
Grassroots VP: Eva Weissman (302) 478-4514; Maureen LaPorte (302) 656-0327
Education VP: Lisa Elliot (302) 239-4100
Recording Sec’y: Esther Timmeney (302) 478-0363
Corres. Sec’y: Sandy Rotholz (302) 478-1671
Treasurer: Arlene Eckell (302) 368-3530
Records Admin.: Irene Plotzker (302) 475-9329
Community Outreach: OPEN
Editor/Social Media: Jennifer Steinberg (302) 562-1930, [email protected]
Notices
To all the wonderful Hadassah sisters who responded so generously
with meals, visits and good wishes during my recuperation from a
broken hip.
My heartfelt gratitude to all of you.
TODAH RABAH,
9
In accordance with U. S. tax requirements regarding deductibility of
contributions, Hadassah shall have full dominion, control and discretion over all gifts to Hadassah.
Contact Us
SUMMER Bulletin deadline is noon, MAY 15.
Visit us on the web at
bit.ly/HadassahFB
Submissions, including photos should be sent to
the EDITOR, Jennifer Steinberg at
[email protected].
Charitable Solicitations and Membership Disclosure Statement—In keeping with
IRS regulations, membership dues/enrollment fees are not considered to be taxdeductible contributions. You may obtain a copy of Hadassah’s Financial Report by
writing to the Hadassah Finance Dept., 50 West 58th Street, New York, NY 10019.
© Hadassah, Women’s Zionist Organization of America.
Hadassah National
General Information
[email protected]
888-303-3640
Wilmington Chapter of Hadassah
Address
PLACE
STAMP
HERE