Hadassah to Raise $1,250 Million over Last Year’s Quota; 5,000 New Members

During a period of economic recession and when the membership of many women’s organizations is falling off, Hadassah, the Women’s Zionist Organization of America, has pledged to raise more than $1,250,000 over last year’s quota, and announced 5,000 new members, raising the membership figure to 325,000. This was announced here at the final session of the national convention. Mrs. Max Schenk, national president who was re-elected for her fourth term, released the 1971-72 quota of $13,267,355. Mrs. Nathan D. Perlman, treasurer, explained how the quotas are allocated for Hadassah health, educational, rehabilitation, and land reclamation services as follows: In Israel the Hadassah Medical Organization, which operates the Hadassah Hebrew University Medical Center. $7,000,000; Youth Aliyah, which operates 267 children’s villages and day centers caring for 12,000 children annually, $2,100,000; Hadassah-Israel Education High School in Jerusalem, $750,000; Youth Activities for Young Judea and Israel Work-Study Programs, $200,000; Jewish National Fund, land reclamation, $700,000; and Hadassah Women’s Zionist Organization of America in the United States, $2,517,355.

Mrs. Perlman explained that this money is raised entirely by volunteers in about 1,400 chapters and through wills, bequests, and other large gifts and grants from foundations and the government. Last year, Hadassah received $4,85 million in United States aid funds from the federal government. Hadassah has no professional fund-raisers, and 96 of every dollar raised goes directly to services, she stated. Mrs. Israel Usdan, membership chairman, announced an unprecedented increase in membership from 320,000 in 1970 to 325,000 in 1971. She credited two major factors for this marked increase: the need to support Israel’s domestic service in which Hadassah plays a major role; and the growing sense of Jewish identity among American Jewish women. Mrs. Schenk also announced the appointment of Aline Kaplan of New York as executive director of Hadassah. Miss Kaplan succeeds Hannah Goldberg, who has been executive director since 1953, and now has been appointed special assistant to the president. The change becomes effective on September 1.