The Inspiring Women Who Founded Hadassah Hospital

The history of the Hadassah Women's Zionist Organization and how they started hospitals, medical schools and infant care centers in Israel. Learn about Henrietta Szold, whose trip to Israel revealed the shockingly limited medical facilities. She went on to spearhead countless projects such as creating the first nursing school in Israel and youth villages for war refugees.

Bertha Landsman founded Tipat Halav, which began delivering milk on donkeys and today serves new parents and babies throughout the country.

Alice Seligsberg was a pioneering social worker who served as Hadassah’s president, helped orphans and was the inspiration for Hadassah’s vocational schools.

Hear rare audio of Henrietta Szold and the story behind the women who dedicated their lives improving health. Hadassah was founded on Purim and named for Queen Esther.

Rose Kaplan and Rachel Landy arrive in Jerusalem from the United States to be the first two nurses sent by Hadassah, 1913,

Today’s Tipat Halav baby health clinics started as a milk delivery service for nursing mothers. Begun by American-Jewish nurse Bertha Landsman.

Straus Medical Center in Jerusalem was open in 1929 as the Nathan and Lina Strauss Health Center for People of All Races and Religions. It is still in use today as a clinic and medical school.

Henrietta Szold, founder of Hadassah, with graduates of the nursing school she helped create.

NOTES:

• Video of Henrietta Szold speech on Youth Aliyah

• It Takes a Dream: The Story of Hadassah

• Bertha Landsman biography

• Alice Seligsberg biography

• Thousands Honor Miss Szold at New York Gathering - Jewish Independent, 1923

• Hadassah Opens 21st Welfare Station in Palestine - JTA, 1929

• Founding of Hadassah: The Women's Zionist Organization of America

• Jewish American Heritage Month: Hadassah Milestones

• If I Forget Thee Hadassah (video)

• A New Year’s Card From Israel - 1966 Hadassah film

• Jerusalem Committee Formed for Straus Non-sectarian Health Center - JTA, 1926

• Hadassah Women’s Zionist Organization Opens Convention - JTA, 1926

• Hadassah’s Progress Shown at Convention - JTA, 1923