We’ll survive, says Hadassah, despite the putz that stole Chanukah [VIDEO]

A Message from Nancy Falchuk, Hadassah National President

Shalom from Hadassah House.

I'm speaking to you at a defining moment in Hadassah's history. This is a moment in which the past and the future are calling on us for leadership and action.

Like all of America's citizens and institutions, Hadassah has felt the impact of the global financial crisis. And as I'm sure you have heard by now, Hadassah was also one of many philanthropic organizations that fell victim to Bernard Madoff.

Despite the substantial loss, I want to assure you of Hadassah's strength, sustainability and commitment. We will get through this crisis because of the wisdom that is our inheritance, because of the fortitude of our leaders and members, and because our life- enhancing and life-saving programs demand it of us.

As difficult as the crisis is, the good news is that we are ready for it. For much of the past year Hadassah has been restructuring and cutting costs. Plans we had in place for the coming year are now on fast forward.

We've had to tighten our belt so much it hurts. But everything we do to meet the challenge is aimed at protecting our core mission of strengthening Israel and the Jewish people.

Protecting our mission and our values takes more than planning. That's why we need every member of Hadassah, and generous non-members as well, to be involved. This a critical moment in which your financial support is so urgent.

I'm asking every one of you to give as much as you can. And while all gifts are welcome, to protect the Hadassah body as a whole, we especially need unrestricted funds, not dedicated to any our wonderful specific projects.

We stand on the shoulders of women who built Hadassah, our grandmothers, our mothers and our daughters. Their example of devotion through wars, Depression and the Holocaust inspire us today. And what we do today is for the benefit of future generations, people who will be touched, educated, perhaps have their lives saved, because of how we respond to this call to action. We can't let them down.