Hadassah marks Israel’s 75th with list of ’18 American Zionist Women You Should Know’
Coming from a diverse range of identities and professional fields, selectees are united in ‘shaping the future of Zionism,’ the organization says as it releases the inaugural list
To mark Israel’s 75th year, Hadassah, the Women’s Zionist Organization of America, is releasing a new list of women that are shaping the future of Zionism.
The list, “18 American Zionist Women You Should Know,” is made up of women representing a range of fields and includes writers, clergy, activists and influencers “who are building bridges and making an impact,” according to a Hadassah statement.
Among them are “Jeopardy!” host, actress and neuroscientist Mayim Bialik, pulpit rabbi Rachel Marder, financial leader Zoya Raynes, and Israeli human rights activist Emily Schrader.
The list seeks to capture the diversity of Zionism today. Selectees come from across the United States and Israel — to which some have immigrated — and bring together multifaceted identities.
Among them are Hispanic-American media advocate Leah Soibel, Iranian Los Angeleno attorney Shiva Beck, Chinese American educator and online activist Amy Albertson, award-winning Iranian American columnist Tabby Refael, photographer Laura Ben David, and Ukrainian American communal professional and entrepreneur Ana Sazonov.
“Just as they have since before Israel’s founding, women are helping to shape and guide Israel’s future, both behind the scenes and in the public square,” said Hadassah national president Rhoda Smolow in a statement.
Hadassah CEO Naomi Adler said the women “are doing essential work, individually and collectively,” and that “everyone who cares about Israel should know their names.”
