Hadassah Super South Connects, Inspires, Empowers
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Hadassah Super South Connects, Inspires, Empowers

More than 100 members of Hadassah met in Nashville from Nov. 8-10 as part of Hadassah “Super South.”

By Compiled by AJT staff December 11, 2024, 1:59 pm Edit
(From left, standing) Simone Wilker, Hana Landerman, Stephanie Pure, Nancy Schwartz, Mindy Cohen, Phyllis M. Cohen, Anita Otero, Diane Fisher, Wendy Kalman, Terry Nordin; (from left, seated) Paula Zucker, Michele Weiner-Merbaum, Susan Berkowitz, Faith Shatzman
(From left, standing) Simone Wilker, Hana Landerman, Stephanie Pure, Nancy Schwartz, Mindy Cohen, Phyllis M. Cohen, Anita Otero, Diane Fisher, Wendy Kalman, Terry Nordin; (from left, seated) Paula Zucker, Michele Weiner-Merbaum, Susan Berkowitz, Faith Shatzman

More than 100 members of Hadassah from three regions joined together in Nashville, Tenn., on Nov. 8-10 to be inspired by the things that Hadassah women do in the south. The regions are Southeastern (Georgia, South Carolina, Southwest North Carolina), Southern (Alabama, Arkansas, Florida Panhandle, Luisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee) Southern Seaboard (North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia). Together this powerful group is known as the “Super South.”

Hadassah Greater Atlanta is part of the Southeastern Region, led by President Paula Zucker and her board. Among the illustrious speakers was Atlanta’s own State Rep. Esther Panitch, who was recently re-elected to a second term of office. Panitch co-sponsored the Georgia legislation adopting the IHRA definition of antisemitism. Hadassah members listened to Panitch’s empowering story and learned from her first-hand knowledge of how to effectively engage with legislators.

A topic that is in the forefront of everyone’s minds these days is confronting antisemitism in our communities. An informative panel discussion took place with Eytan Davidson, Director of Anti-Defamation League Southeast Region; Barbara Dab, editor of the Nashville Jewish Observer; and Joyce Laiter, co-coordinator, Hadassah Education & Advocacy Division. The question was: How has antisemitism manifested across the south, particularly after Oct. 7, and in what ways can we effectively respond as communities, individuals and Hadassah women?

Carol Ann Schwartz, Hadassah’s National President, brought the attendees up to date on the progress of the new Gandel Rehabilitation Center in Jerusalem. She brought an exclusive video tracing the physical rehabilitation and mental wellness journeys of two patients severely injured on Oct. 7, 2023. Schwartz went on to explain the vision for Gandel and its incredible impact in Israel.

In addition, the best-selling author of “Food, Hope, & Resilience; Authentic Recipes and Remarkable Stories from Holocaust Survivors,” June Hersh, came to share the uplifting, life-affirming stories of the survivors she interviewed.

Consul General of Israel to the Southeast United States, Anat Sultan-Dadon, in conversation with Zucker, encouraged the Hadassah membership to “Stand Up & Speak Out for Israel.”

Being that Nashville is considered the “Music City,” the conference would not be complete without a special unique Nashville program called “The Promise Sessions.” Healing, hope, and harmony are the inspiration for this uplifting multimedia musical experience blending Nashville-based musicians with the creativity of Israeli composers, using the magic of music to empower soldiers & survivors of Oct. 7.

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