Together We Will Heal

Nancy Wiadro, Presidents Council for Collier/Lee Chapter

Collier/Lee Chapter of Hadassah welcomes back our seasonal members on Monday, Nov. 17, with our Fall Luncheon Meeting and Election of 2026 officers. A former Miss Israel will be our special guest speaker, courtesy of Israel Bonds. There will be an artisan vendor’s showcase (for holiday gift giving). Please bring your checkbook or cash. Hadassah cannot process credit cards.

To register for this or any other programs, email clhchapter@gmail.com and put “Information” in the subject line. Please note that there will be extra security at all events and you must register in advance (by Nov. 10) to be admitted.

Hadassah’s life-changing work has attracted many new members over the summer months. Our membership team will resume new and prospective member gatherings in Naples, Bonita, Estero and Ft. Myers. If you are new to any of these communities, kindly email the address above so that we can personally greet you.

Sunday, Dec. 14 will be our 36th Annual Major Donor and Keepers of the Gate Recognition Brunch at Schiff Hall in the Nina Iser Jewish Community Center in Naples. Special guest speaker, Carol Ann Schwartz, National President of Hadassah, will bring the latest information on Hadassah’s life-affirming work. Hadassah Associates as well as all members are welcome. Registration for the brunch will appear in our e-blasts to members.

Monday, Dec. 15, Join the Jewish Community Hanukah Celebration at Mercado, 5-6 p.m. Be sure to stop by Hadassah’s table for some chocolate gelt!

Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, is the 2026 Installation of Officers and catered luncheon at the Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center, Naples. Dr. Judith Mann, National Hadassah Medical Organization Chair, is our speaker.

Save the Date for Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026, when the chapter honors three Inspiring Women at the Audubon Country Club, North Naples. Rabbi Ariel Boxman, Jane Schiff and Sylvia Simko will be recognized for their outstanding community work. Net proceeds will benefit Hadassah’s Gandel Rehabilitation Center.

Since October 7, 2024, Hadassah’s resources have been deployed where tragedy continues to occur. Youth at Risk, teens housed at Youth Aliyah Villages in Israel, who were traumatized by the shelling near their villages, receive special counseling programs.

In Jerusalem, Hadassah Hospital patients are being accommodated deep underground in a new Intensive Care Unit — safe from conventional, biological and chemical attack. And six new operating theaters at the Round Building must be equipped with the necessary orthopedic hitech instruments that can best treat victims of modern warfare.

As we prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving, let us pause to give thanks to those who came before us and to express gratitude to those leading us into 2026.

When you are considering your yearend philanthropic giving, please think of Hadassah and how meaningful a gift of any amount would be.

Contact Yael Shmookler at 443824-9499, yshmookler@hadassah. org. Let Yael know if you are using an IRA/MRD, Charitable Fund distribution or Stock donation. To ensure proper credit, kindly give her the date, amount and institution’s transaction number.