Hadassah Ketura Hosts Annual Pool Party

The Ketura Group of Hadassah Greater Atlanta held its annual pool and pizza party on July 27 at the home of Leora and Herb Wollner. Both Hadassah members (women) and Hadassah associates (men) gathered to cool off in the Atlanta summer weather. The latest Hadassah news taking place in Israel and in the United States was presented.

Hadassah recently recognized the international movie star Gal Gadot for her fearless advocacy on behalf of Israel. On July 17, before an international audience of 7,000 filmmakers and dignitaries, including the Mayor of Jerusalem, Carol Ann Schwartz, Hadassah National President, presented Gal Gadot with the Power of Dreams Award at the Jerusalem Film Festival. Gadot, who portrayed Wonder Woman, is the first Israeli actress to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. She is well known for speaking out on behalf of Israel.

Gadot is only the second person to receive this Hadassah award. Gwyneth Paltrow was the first to be given the honor, which recognizes women whose vision and actions mirror those of Hadassah’s founder, Henrietta Szold. Szold’s compassion laid the foundation and foresight for Israel’s modern healthcare system.

Rosalie Agrow, president of the Hadassah Ketura group, said, “Gal Gadot took the opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to Hadassah which plays a vital role in the development of medicine in Israel. Gadot added that she loves Israel and she’s so proud to be a part of it and to make our voices heard.”

As the guests cooled off in the pool party, they learned about the type of water exercise and hydrotherapy that is performed at Hadassah’s new Gandel Rehabilitation Center in Jerusalem. The events on and since Oct. 7 have continued to take a heavy toll on the physical and emotional health of Israelis. There has been a dramatic increase in the need for rehabilitative care among wounded civilians and soldiers; hundreds will require specialized inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation — for weeks, months, or even years to come — for severe physical injuries as well as psychological and mental health treatment. This is where the Gandel Rehabilitation Center has played a major role in healthcare in Israel.

Hydrotherapy is invaluable in helping patients ease pain throughout their regimen at Gandel. Treatments take place in temperature-controlled, warm-water pools comforting patients suffering from chronic pain and contributing to the enhancement of their motor skills. Water exercise offers a multitude of benefits, primarily due to the unique properties of water providing low-impact support and resistance. It’s a great option for people of all ages and fitness levels, especially those with joint pain or injuries.

Hadassah members exercised in the pool; dancing in a circle to Israeli music and mobilizing their limbs in the water as they came to realize the benefits water exercise. Thanks to Hadassah, the guests could escape the “Hotlanta” summer heat as they learned how important Hadassah is both in Atlanta and in Israel.

For more information about Hadassah Greater Atlanta, go to: https://www.hadassah.org/chapter/greater-atlanta