{"id":293637,"date":"2026-02-16T05:49:13","date_gmt":"2026-02-16T05:49:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/293637\/"},"modified":"2026-02-16T05:49:13","modified_gmt":"2026-02-16T05:49:13","slug":"new-era-for-the-negev-and-global-jewish-advocacy-hadassah-expands-healing-leadershi","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/293637\/","title":{"rendered":"New era for the Negev and global Jewish advocacy: Hadassah expands healing, leadershi"},"content":{"rendered":"

Speaking in a special interview with ynet Global, Hadassah National President Carol Ann Schwartz outlined a pivotal moment for the Women\u2019s Zionist Organization of America, one that spans healthcare transformation in Israel\u2019s south, rising antisemitism in the United States, women\u2019s leadership, and the future of Jewish identity in the diaspora<\/a>.At the center of the discussion stood a dramatic development in Israel\u2019s south: the opening of Hadassah-Helmsley Netivot<\/a>, a major new medical facility designed to transform healthcare access for residents of Netivot and surrounding western Negev communities.<\/p>\n

5 View gallery <\/p>\n

\"Haddassah\"<\/a>\"Haddassah\"<\/p>\n

(Photo: Hadassah Women\u2019s Organization)<\/p>\n

Interview with Carol Ann Schwartz National President of Hadassah<\/p>\n

(Video: Yaron Berner)<\/p>\n

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The newly inaugurated Hadassah-Helmsley Netivot medical center marks what leaders described as a historic correction for southern Israel. The facility\u2014established in partnership with Hadassah Medical Organization, the Hadassah Women\u2019s Organization, the Helmsley Charitable Trust, and the Municipality of Netivot\u2014will provide advanced diagnosis, treatment and continuous medical care close to home for more than 150,000 residents of Netivot and nearby communities.<\/p>\n

For decades, southern residents were forced to travel long distances for specialized medical services. The new center seeks to change that reality by bringing the expertise of a world-renowned university hospital directly to the region.<\/p>\n

Among its key features is a state-of-the-art MRI system, the first of its kind in Netivot, along with CT, ultrasound, X-ray and fluoroscopy technologies, some enhanced by artificial intelligence. The facility will offer specialist clinics in ophthalmology, orthopedics, neurology, gastroenterology, women\u2019s health, oral and maxillofacial medicine, and advanced imaging.<\/p>\n

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5 View gallery <\/p>\n

\"Hadassah<\/a>\"Hadassah<\/p>\n

Hadassah National President Carol Ann Schwartz <\/p>\n

(Photo: Hadassah Women\u2019s Organization)<\/p>\n

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5 View gallery <\/p>\n

\"Hadassah<\/a>\"Hadassah<\/p>\n

Hadassah National President Carol Ann Schwartz <\/p>\n

(Credit: Avi Hayun)<\/p>\n

Schwartz emphasized that the center is not a small clinic but a large, fully equipped medical facility. Teams of Hadassah physicians, including specialists from major departments, will rotate through the site to ensure consistent, high-level care for residents across the region.<\/p>\n

The Helmsley Charitable Trust played a central role in the project, providing more than $5.2 million for medical equipment and nearly $1 million to help recruit leading medical professionals. Since 2010, the foundation has committed more than $700 million to healthcare and scientific initiatives in Israel.<\/p>\n

For Schwartz, the launch represents both a professional and personal milestone. \u201cTo share Hadassah\u2019s knowledge and medical expertise with the people of Netivot and the surrounding communities is an extremely proud moment,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Beyond healthcare, Schwartz spoke about Hadassah\u2019s upcoming advocacy conference in Washington, where hundreds of members will meet U.S. lawmakers on Capitol Hill. The goal: strengthening U.S.\u2013Israel relations and confronting the sharp rise in antisemitism across the United States and beyond.<\/p>\n

Hadassah, she noted, is the largest Zionist women\u2019s volunteer organization in America, with representation in congressional districts nationwide. That national footprint, she said, gives the organization a powerful voice in shaping policy and public awareness.<\/p>\n

Schwartz described antisemitism today as a serious and growing threat, one that intensified dramatically after October 7, 2023. She stressed the importance of education\u2014teaching members, families and especially young women how to recognize and respond to antisemitism, whether overt or subtle.<\/p>\n

Through its network of more than 6,600 chapters across the United States, Hadassah distributes guidance and resources instantly, helping communities respond to incidents, coordinate with local authorities and strengthen resilience.<\/p>\n

The conversation also addressed concerns that younger American Jews may feel increasingly disconnected from Israel. Schwartz acknowledged that some do, but emphasized that Hadassah is investing heavily in closing that gap.<\/p>\n

Programs such as Hadassah Fellows and Evolve Hadassah bring young Jewish leaders to Israel, exposing them to the country\u2019s history, society and Hadassah\u2019s century-long role in building the nation. These immersive experiences, she said, help cultivate lasting connections and strengthen Jewish identity and Zionist values among the next generation.<\/p>\n

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5 View gallery <\/p>\n

\"f\"<\/a>\"f\"<\/p>\n

(Photo: Hadassah Women\u2019s Organization)<\/p>\n

In parallel, Hadassah recently launched new educational initiatives across the United States aimed at building community among young Jewish women and reinforcing Zionist identity\u2014part of a broader strategy to ensure the continuity of Jewish engagement with Israel.<\/p>\n

Women\u2019s health remains a central pillar of Hadassah\u2019s advocacy. Schwartz explained that the organization has championed women\u2019s healthcare since its founding, inspired by Henrietta Szold\u2019s early recognition of the need to care for women and children in the developing Jewish homeland.<\/p>\n

At the upcoming advocacy conference, Hadassah will promote policies supporting funding for women\u2019s health research, equal access to care, and medical privacy protections. The organization also continues to share medical knowledge generated at Hadassah hospitals with communities worldwide, reinforcing its global healthcare leadership.<\/p>\n

Marking Family Day on February 17, Schwartz reflected on the enduring legacy of Hadassah founder Henrietta Szold, often called \u201cthe mother of all\u201d for her role in rescuing and guiding generations of Jewish youth to Israel. Szold\u2019s vision, Schwartz said, continues to shape Hadassah\u2019s mission of compassion, community and responsibility.<\/p>\n

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5 View gallery <\/p>\n

\"Hadassah<\/a>\"Hadassah<\/p>\n

Hadassah National President Carol Ann Schwartz <\/p>\n

(Photo: Hadassah Women\u2019s Organization)<\/p>\n

More broadly, she highlighted Hadassah\u2019s 110-year commitment to advancing women\u2019s leadership. The organization, she said, aims to equip women with the tools to lead, break barriers and shape the future across healthcare, advocacy and public life.<\/p>\n

From Washington to Netivot, the themes of the interview converged on a single message: Hadassah sees healthcare, education, advocacy and women\u2019s empowerment as interconnected pillars of Jewish resilience and global responsibility.<\/p>\n

With the opening of Hadassah-Helmsley Netivot, the organization has taken a major step toward reshaping healthcare in Israel\u2019s south, while continuing to confront global challenges ranging from antisemitism to women\u2019s health and Jewish continuity.<\/p>\n

For Schwartz, the mission remains clear: strengthening communities, saving lives and building bridges, between nations, generations and people.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Speaking in a special interview with ynet Global, Hadassah National President Carol Ann Schwartz outlined a pivotal moment…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":293638,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[42,43,40,38,41,39],"class_list":["post-293637","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-headlines","tag-headlines","tag-news","tag-top-news","tag-top-stories","tag-topnews","tag-topstories"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/293637","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=293637"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/293637\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/293638"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=293637"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=293637"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=293637"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}