Speaking in a special interview with ynet Global, Hadassah National President Carol Ann Schwartz outlined a pivotal moment for the Women’s Zionist Organization of America, one that spans healthcare transformation in Israel’s south, rising antisemitism in the United States, women’s leadership, and the future of Jewish identity in the diaspora.
At the center of the discussion stood a dramatic development in Israel’s south: the opening of Hadassah-Helmsley Netivot, a major new medical facility designed to transform healthcare access for residents of Netivot and surrounding western Negev communities.
Interview with Carol Ann Schwartz National President of Hadassah
(Video: Yaron Berner)
A healthcare transformation in Israel’s south
The newly inaugurated Hadassah-Helmsley Netivot medical center marks what leaders described as a historic correction for southern Israel. The facility—established in partnership with Hadassah Medical Organization, the Hadassah Women’s Organization, the Helmsley Charitable Trust, and the Municipality of Netivot—will provide advanced diagnosis, treatment and continuous medical care close to home for more than 150,000 residents of Netivot and nearby communities.
For decades, southern residents were forced to travel long distances for specialized medical services. The new center seeks to change that reality by bringing the expertise of a world-renowned university hospital directly to the region.
Among its key features is a state-of-the-art MRI system, the first of its kind in Netivot, along with CT, ultrasound, X-ray and fluoroscopy technologies, some enhanced by artificial intelligence. The facility will offer specialist clinics in ophthalmology, orthopedics, neurology, gastroenterology, women’s health, oral and maxillofacial medicine, and advanced imaging.
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Hadassah National President Carol Ann Schwartz
(Photo: Hadassah Women’s Organization)
Schwartz emphasized that the center is not a small clinic but a large, fully equipped medical facility. Teams of Hadassah physicians, including specialists from major departments, will rotate through the site to ensure consistent, high-level care for residents across the region.
The Helmsley Charitable Trust played a central role in the project, providing more than $5.2 million for medical equipment and nearly $1 million to help recruit leading medical professionals. Since 2010, the foundation has committed more than $700 million to healthcare and scientific initiatives in Israel.
For Schwartz, the launch represents both a professional and personal milestone. “To share Hadassah’s knowledge and medical expertise with the people of Netivot and the surrounding communities is an extremely proud moment,” she said.
Taking the fight against antisemitism to Capitol Hill
Beyond healthcare, Schwartz spoke about Hadassah’s upcoming advocacy conference in Washington, where hundreds of members will meet U.S. lawmakers on Capitol Hill. The goal: strengthening U.S.–Israel relations and confronting the sharp rise in antisemitism across the United States and beyond.
Hadassah, she noted, is the largest Zionist women’s volunteer organization in America, with representation in congressional districts nationwide. That national footprint, she said, gives the organization a powerful voice in shaping policy and public awareness.
Schwartz described antisemitism today as a serious and growing threat, one that intensified dramatically after October 7, 2023. She stressed the importance of education—teaching members, families and especially young women how to recognize and respond to antisemitism, whether overt or subtle.
Through its network of more than 6,600 chapters across the United States, Hadassah distributes guidance and resources instantly, helping communities respond to incidents, coordinate with local authorities and strengthen resilience.
Bridging Israel and the diaspora
The conversation also addressed concerns that younger American Jews may feel increasingly disconnected from Israel. Schwartz acknowledged that some do, but emphasized that Hadassah is investing heavily in closing that gap.
Programs such as Hadassah Fellows and Evolve Hadassah bring young Jewish leaders to Israel, exposing them to the country’s history, society and Hadassah’s century-long role in building the nation. These immersive experiences, she said, help cultivate lasting connections and strengthen Jewish identity and Zionist values among the next generation.
In parallel, Hadassah recently launched new educational initiatives across the United States aimed at building community among young Jewish women and reinforcing Zionist identity—part of a broader strategy to ensure the continuity of Jewish engagement with Israel.
Women’s health at the core of the mission
Women’s health remains a central pillar of Hadassah’s advocacy. Schwartz explained that the organization has championed women’s healthcare since its founding, inspired by Henrietta Szold’s early recognition of the need to care for women and children in the developing Jewish homeland.
At the upcoming advocacy conference, Hadassah will promote policies supporting funding for women’s health research, equal access to care, and medical privacy protections. The organization also continues to share medical knowledge generated at Hadassah hospitals with communities worldwide, reinforcing its global healthcare leadership.
The legacy of Henrietta Szold and the power of women’s leadership
Marking Family Day on February 17, Schwartz reflected on the enduring legacy of Hadassah founder Henrietta Szold, often called “the mother of all” for her role in rescuing and guiding generations of Jewish youth to Israel. Szold’s vision, Schwartz said, continues to shape Hadassah’s mission of compassion, community and responsibility.
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Hadassah National President Carol Ann Schwartz
(Photo: Hadassah Women’s Organization)
More broadly, she highlighted Hadassah’s 110-year commitment to advancing women’s leadership. The organization, she said, aims to equip women with the tools to lead, break barriers and shape the future across healthcare, advocacy and public life.
A global mission, a local impact
From Washington to Netivot, the themes of the interview converged on a single message: Hadassah sees healthcare, education, advocacy and women’s empowerment as interconnected pillars of Jewish resilience and global responsibility.
With the opening of Hadassah-Helmsley Netivot, the organization has taken a major step toward reshaping healthcare in Israel’s south, while continuing to confront global challenges ranging from antisemitism to women’s health and Jewish continuity.
For Schwartz, the mission remains clear: strengthening communities, saving lives and building bridges, between nations, generations and people.