Hadassah, St. Paul chapter records

When Hadassah, the Women's Zionist Organization of America was founded in New York in 1912, Israel was not yet a state. Yet founder Henrietta Szold called for practical Zionism as she began proactive fundraising to meet the health needs of Palestine's people. Hadassah eventually grew to a nationwide social advocacy group engaging Jewish women to effect change in support for the people of Israel; currently there are 330,000 members and supporters nationwide. Their mission as a volunteer organization is to inspire passion for and commitment to its partnership with the land and people of Israel.

The St. Paul chapter began when Henrietta Szold came to town to meet with an existing young women's group known as "The Lady Zionists." The chapter soon became part of the national Hadassah and were represnted at the first national conventinon in 1914. The group began as a study group, focusing upon education programs for members focusing on American and Zionist affairs and Jewish education. During the War years members sold defense bonds and worked with the local Red Cross to screen children for eye and ear defects. In 1934 Youth Aliyah began with the evacuation of German children. Local chairman Sylvia Peilen secured emergency funds and raised monies from local businessmen to help save Jewish children from Nazi Germany. Their fundraising events and outreach in the community over the years included rummage sales, Jewish holiday balls including their popular Purim balls, sewing projects, booths at the Minnesota State Fair, golf tournaments, literacy campaigns, and more. The St. Paul chapter often worked within the Upper Midwest Region umbrella, partnering with other local chapters in Minneapolis, Duluth, and other cities across Minnesota, North and South Dakota, and Wisconsin. By the late 1980s membership remained strong, with over 1400 local members. The chapter remains active: for more information, visit www.hadassah.org/regions/upper-midwest.