"Achotenu is such a wise, important project because it doesn’t ignore the difficulties of Aliyah and absorption but alongside them it looks at the enormous advantages and the amazing opportunities brought by Ethiopian immigration to all of Israel,” said Israeli First Lady Michal Herzog during the ceremony.
To the new nurses Herzog added: “You chose to study nursing, to break glass ceilings in the world of academia. You opted to study despite the dissenting voices you may have heard that suggested this course of action is not really for you. But you chose to study realizing that you are ambassadors for an entire community, knowing that your success is theirs too.”
HOI Executive Director Audrey Shimron spoke of Hadassah's history and brought congratulations from our 300,000 members in the United States, of President Rhoda Smolow and also past President and proud nurse Nancy Falchuk. She brought blessings of men and women around the world of Hadassah-International particularly in faraway Australia where the new graduates have friends and supporters.
And she said, "We know each one of will be you will be a lamplighter. Mazal tov."
Let's think of how proud we are to be part of Hadassah's enormous contribution to the State of Israel as we light a full Hanukiah tonight.
Hanukkah Sameah, Happy Hanukkah!
Barbara Sofer
Israel Director of Public Relations
David Zev Harris, Associate
Hadassah, the Women's Zionist Organization of America
Jerusalem