| This Shabbat is known as Shabbat ZACHOR, the Shabbat on which we REMEMBER one of the seminal and perhaps archetypical events in our early history. Almost immediately after crossing the Reed Sea and escaping the Egyptians, the nation Amalek mounted an attack on the nation of former slaves. By all accounts it was an unbecoming act – they attacked the elderly, the infirm, children, revealing a disregard for what we might call today “conventions” of warfare. With help of God, the Israelites, untrained and unskilled in the art of battle, repulsed the enemy. God tells the Israelites that there will be a never battle with the forces of Amalek down the ages and we are commanded to “remember, and never forget” what Amalek did.
The short passage we read to remind us of all this comes from Deuteronomy 25:17-19. It is always read on the Shabbat preceding Purim. In the Purim story, Haman hatches a plot to destroy the Jews in the Persian kingdom. Haman is described as an Aggagite – which may mean “a descendant of Aggag.” King Aggag ruled the Amalekite nation during the reign of King Saul, and Haman’s ancestry makes him an Amalekite.
However, it may be his actions, more than his ancestry, which makes him an Amalekite. He embodied the qualities and the attitudes of the first Amalek, but amplified them to a dangerous degree. His hatred for the Jews who lived throughout the kingdom was truly irrational. He somehow convinced the king that because the Jews enjoyed the benefits of Persian life but still followed their own laws and customs, they were not loyal subjects. The king gave Haman the latitude to solve the “Jewish Problem” and we were slated to be annihilated on the day we now celebrate as Purim – the 14th of Adar. The story of our salvation – and of Haman’s downfall, is told in Megilat Esther, the Scroll of Esther, which we will read on Purim - next Thursday night and again on Friday morning.
For many years now, we have hosted a special Hadassah Shabbat on Shabbat of Zachor. Two dedicated members of our shul, Norma Serota and more recently Joyce Koch, would speak at Shabbat services about their involvement in Hadassah and the wonderful work it does here, in Israel and in many other countries. Since our in person service numbers are so limited due to COVID, I suggested that something be included in our TouchPoints. I assured them that this would actually reach many more people than could ever attend a Shabbat service. In lieu of their in person presentation, please continue reading.
In 1912, Henrietta Szold visited the Yishuv in what was then Palestine. She was appalled at the conditions she encountered, especially as they impacted the health of the residents. Upon returning home to Philadelphia, together with six other women on Purim Day, she founded Hadassah. Named for the heroine of the Megillah, Esther, whose real name was Hadassah, the group’s first act was to send two qualified nurses to Palestine to provide medical care for mothers and babies.
From those humble beginnings almost 110 years ago, Hadassah Hospitals in Israel provide care for more than one million patients a year and is the second largest employer in the State of Israel. Hadassah has grown into the largest women’s Zionist organization in America with more than 300,000 members.
Hadassah has contributed to the betterment of the Jewish people and to the betterment of society in so many ways. Hadassah Medical Organization leads the way in cutting edge medical research that often results in breakthrough advances in the fight again various diseases including heart disease and breast cancer. They also deal with trauma treatment as well as sexual abuse.
Hadassah doctors are routinely among the first on the scene not only in Israel but around the world – treating victims of earthquakes in Nepal, Mexico City and the Philippines and disasters in other countries as well. They travel the world teaching and training local doctors from Kenya and Ethiopia in the latest medical techniques. They secretly trained Kurdish doctors who wanted to learn emergency pediatric care that would be offered to injured children in Iraq and Syria.
Hadassah supports Youth Aliyah Villages for children at risk. Over 300,00 young people from 80 countries have graduated from various Vilages and have made many contributions to Israel and the world. It also spearheads Young Judaea, promoting commitment to Judaism and love of Israel in American youth.
In the United States, Hadassah advocates for public policies regarding hate crimes, anti-Semitism, and Israel security. It also spearheaded the passage of the Never Again Act, which expanded Holocaust education in high schools. It promotes greater awareness of and pushes for greater research in women’s health, genetic equity, reproductive rights and many other area.
Like Esther/Hadassah of old, Hadassah today is always in the right place at the right time. It’s work has helped so many. It’s dedicated members are some of our people’s finest – doing their best to bring light where there is darkness, health where there is sickness and peace where there is conflict.
We thank Norma Serota and Joyce Koch for their dedication to the wonderful work of Hadassah. We look forward to hearing from them in person next year. May they – and the members of Hadassah – be blessed with success. May we all go from strength to strength.
Shabbat shalom
Rabbi Chaitovsky |
