By Linda Wisch-Davidsohn
It Takes a Village — Hadassah programs do Dallas ‘proud’
From Feb. 9-10, the Dallas Chapter of Hadassah hosted four separate events, which featured Hadassah’s National Chair for Youth Aliyah Benita Ross. Members, associates and guests learned more about Hadassah’s youth villages and the benefits of members’ support.
The series was part of a four-city tour in the Greater Southwest Region of Hadassah. Ross shared stories and provided insight to the impact of youth aliyah.
Hadassah supports three youth aliyah villages in Israel. Since its creation in 1934, more than 300,000 individuals have been served.
Hadassah’s youth aliyah program provides shelter, nurturing and first-rate education to immigrant and at-risk Israeli youth from poor or dysfunctional homes. These adolescents and teens cannot live at home for various reasons — family violence, poverty, immigration hardships, sick parents, etc.
They are referred to Hadassah by Israeli social workers and teachers. Others are referred because they are orphans or because their parents could not easily integrate into Israeli society, and thus were unable to help their children become part of their Israeli peer group.
In addition to the full support and nurturing of the students at the villages, each year 100-plus students are selected to go on the Poland Heritage Mission. Scholarships subsidize youth aliyah’s annual mission to Poland, where the students visit the Warsaw ghetto and the Auschwitz/ Birkenau concentration camps to understand the Holocaust and its place in their Jewish heritage.
From March 30-April 3, a mission to Poland is being offered through Hadassah. Members and associates can meet students and intersect with the Youth Aliyah Poland Heritage Mission. Ross will lead the group on this inaugural mission.
Hadassah expressed its gratitude to its Chair Susie Avnery for coordinating all the events in Dallas; hosts, Robbe and Robert Epstein, Maura Schreier-Fleming, The Legacy at Willow Bend and Congregation Beth Torah; and committee members Amy Applebaum, Susan Blum Barnett, Carol Ann Bracken, Lilli Cirillo, Sheila Cooper, Janet Coppinger, Shirley Frankl, Rebecca Gerbert, Lisa Harris, Hanna Hochster, Marcia Kaufman, Sharon Kuhr, Rachel Leventon, Carol Rawitscher, Jo Reingold, Debby Rice, Linda Steinberg, Pamela Wainer and Sue Warren.
Contributions to Hadassah Medical Organization and/or to support its youth aliyah villages can be made at www.hadassah.org/dallas or you can call 214-691-1948 or email chapter.dallas@hadassah.org to arrange a meeting with one of our representatives. A gift made to youth aliyah will make a profound impact on these children’s lives.
Happy birthday Idarene Glick
Good wishes to Idarene Glick who will celebrate her 90th birthday with a celebration from 3-5 p.m. Saturday, March 1 at the Hyatt Residence on La Sierra. The almost nonagenarian was born Idarene Haas March 4, 1924, in Marlow, Okla. to parents Elece Zeve Haas of Nacogdoches and Emanuel Philip Haas of Weatherford.
Mrs. Glick lived in Marlow until 1943, when she moved to Dallas and lived with her aunt, Celine Haas Levy Glaser. In Dallas, she met and married Louis Glick July 4, 1944. Idarene and Lou had two daughters, Olga Strauss of Tucson, Ariz. and Carol Hirsh of Dallas, six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Guests are expected from Austin, Denver, Atlanta, Kansas and Oklahoma for a full weekend of celebrations.
Donna Bender receives 2014 Women’s Business Enterprise of the Year Award
Donna Bender, president and chief executive officer of The Donna Bender Company, was awarded the 2014 Women’s Business Enterprise of the year for businesses under $5 million.
The Women’s Business Enterprise of the Year Award recognizes a woman-owned business in each category (under $5 million and more than $5 million) that exemplifies outstanding performance in service, delivery or added value to their clients.
As an active member and advocate of The Women’s Business Council Southwest for five years, Bender stated that she is honored to be given this award for something that she loves and has the passion to do every day.
Businesses owned by women represent one of the fastest-growing segments of the business environment, not just locally, but nationally and internationally as well. The Women’s Business Council — Southwest offers certification, procurement, networking and educational programs that help Women’s Business Enterprises grow. The programs are offered throughout a four-state region, which includes Texas, Arkansas, New Mexico and Oklahoma.
Using her creativity and visionary skills, Bender brings 30 years of executive experience in marketing to her position. Her branded marketing and promotional strategy consulting company builds companies into brands. Bender provides a holistic approach to marketing and helps companies create an emotional connection with their clients.
Bender was active in Shalom Bayit and is involved in many other facets of the Jewish Community. For more information about The Donna Bender Company, visit http://www.donnaco.com.
