Panitch Honored for Unwavering Support of Israel

State Rep. Esther Panitch was one of 18 female leaders who were recently recognized by Hadassah for their outspoken and consistent support of Israel.

Hadassah announced its “18 American Zionist Women You Should Know,” which features a diverse group of women thought leaders and professionals, including a Muslim women’s rights activist from Pakistan, an Emmy Award-winning actress and devout Catholic who is bringing Christians together to support Jews, a non-Jewish, Italian-American culinary star who posts new videos on Instagram about antisemitism and anti-Zionism, and many more.

“Whether they are activists, educators, writers, entertainers, politicians, business innovators, nonprofit leaders, several of those things or something else entirely, these 18 women are doing the critical work of advocating for Zionism and defending Israel in the U.S. and around the world,” said the official news release.

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State Rep. Esther Panitch was one of 18 women leaders honored by Hadassah for their outspoken support of Israel.

When asked what it means to her to be recognized by Hadassah as an inspiring American Zionist female leader, Panitch said, “I was very excited. I’ve spent much of my life volunteering for Hadassah, so it’s an honor to be recognized for decades of my family’s work. It’s also incredibly humbling — it reminds me that what I say, and how I say it, matters to others. I’m thrilled to stand alongside remarkable women leaders who have proudly and publicly prioritized their love for Israel.”

For Panitch, Zionism is integral to Judaism as a whole.

“We pray facing Jerusalem. Our holy sites are all there. That Zionism resulted in the modern state of Israel is both miraculous and a natural part of Judaism. Zionism recognizes the historical fact that Israel is the Jewish homeland,” she said.

I’ve spent much of my life volunteering for Hadassah, so it’s an honor to be recognized for decades of my family’s work.

Panitch also shared a message for younger American females, Jewish or non-Jewish, about championing support for Israel and American Jewry.

She said, “Life is hard right now for Jews, but the best thing you can do is be honest with other people and be strong in your beliefs. You will find people who claim to be friends who are not. Move on from them. You won’t be able to convince everybody. Don’t waste your time trying.”

Diana Diner, Hadassah Zionist educator, lauded Panitch’s legacy of Zionism and pro-Israel activism.

“Esther exemplifies Hadassah’s values and is devoted to our mission, at the heart of which is a commitment to stand up for Israel and to push back antisemitism, wherever it appears. Just last year, she co-sponsored a bill that proposed the George legislature adopt the IHRA definition of antisemitism.”

Diner went on to say that Panitch has had a significant impact on Atlanta’s Jewish community and abroad; in particular, with the fundraising effort for a stem cell lab at Hadassah’s medical center in Jerusalem.

She said, “U.S. laws at the time restricted stem cell research and because of Esther and those she worked with, Hadassah’s doctors have made advancements that are going to change the lives of people all over the world who live with crippling diseases like ALS. She is also a fourth-generation Hadassah member.”

Carol Ann Schwartz, Hadassah National President, said, “Hadassah has fostered and promoted Zionist ideals for more than 100 years and the vision of our founder, Henrietta Szold, lives on through us. We take to heart our responsibility to empower those who are standing up for Israel.”

The full list of “18 American Zionist Women You Should Know,” (excluding Panitch) is as follows:
• Anila Ali – Muslim American activist
• Galia Amram – lawyer and Jewish nonprofit leader
• Emily Austin – Broadcaster and pro-Israel advocate
• Bellamy Bellucci – Black, transgender Jewish social media advocate
• Suzanne Patt Benvenisti – Hadassah executive
• Stephanie Bonder – Jewish educator and communal leader
• Caroline D’Amore – Entrepreneur and pro-Israel activist
• Hilary Hawn – Community advocate, educator and writer
• Patricia Heaton – Christian Zionist activist, philanthropist and award-winning actress
• Michal Ilai – Israel educator
• Shoshanna Keats Jaskoll – American Israeli writer and activist
• Allison Tombros Korman – Red Tent Fund founder and women’s health activist
• Mazi Pilip – Ethiopian Israeli American politician and Zionist advocate
• Yocheved Ruttenberg – Sword of Iron Israel Volunteer Corp founder and mobilizer
• Dr. Deborah Villanueva – Health professional, educator and Zionist activist
• Samantha Vinokor-Meinrath – Award-winning Jewish educator and author
• Elena Yacov – Pro-Israel nonprofit professional