Four Rhode Island women attend Northeast leadership day

Rhode Islanders at the Hadassah conference.

Ellen Fingeret, of North Providence, Betty Ann Israelit, of Providence, Sue Mayes, of Middletown, and Michele Keir, of Warwick, represented Rhode Island Feb. 7 at an all-day leadership conference, “Telling Our Stories,” in Waltham, Massachusetts, sponsored by Hadassah Northeast. More than 50 Jewish women gathered to hear national and local speakers talk about Hadassah as the organization of “the power of women who DO.” The theme of “Research in Service to Humanity” was introduced.

 Speakers touched on techniques for sharing all of Hadassah’s impressive local and international accomplishments. The importance of this cutting-edge research was brought to a personal level when Michele Keir shared her hope and confidence in stem cell treatments for neurological diseases presently in development at Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem.  Research for a cure for Parkinson Disease is of special interest to Keir who, along with four family members, has this disease.  Other Hadassah-sponsored research for ALS, Alzheimer’s, Multiple Sclerosis, breast cancer and glaucoma were of particular interest and were addressed in this meeting.

The upcoming Hadassah Rhode Island Shabbat service will be held at Temple Torat Yisrael on Middle Road in East Greenwich on March 18, to honor the 104th anniversary of the founding of Hadassah.

Hadassah is the largest volunteer women’s organization in the United States. Information about Hadassah Rhode Island is available on the chapter’s web site (hadassah.org/rhodeisland) and Facebook page (facebook.com/Hadassah-Rhode-Island-192804917437025) or by contacting the chapter at 401-463-3636.

SUE MAYES is president of Hadassah Rhode Island chapter.