by Tamara Stokes

Special to DJW

Seventy-five members, friends and associates of the Dallas Chapter of Hadassah gathered at Tiferet Israel Sunday, Feb. 24, to celebrate Hadassah's 90th birthday and Purim.

Hadassah, the Women's Zionist Organization of America, was born exactly 90 years ago to the day in 1912. Henrietta Szold, a Jewish scholar and activist who was dedicated to Judaism, Zionism and the American Ideal, founded the study group that has evolved into the socially responsible organization that is internationally known today. The Dallas Chapter has more than 1,800 members.

Jo Reingold told attendees that it was no coincidence when planning the event to choose Purim as the day to celebrate great Jewish women's accomplishments.

The catered event, coordinated and chaired by Reingold, featured singing, costume contests, and an overview of Hadassah accomplishments through the decades.

During the program, past chapter presidents read from a larger-than-life "Megillat Hadassah" that recounted highlights from the past nine decades. From the initial goal of sending two nurses to Palestine in 1912 to the creation and support of a nursing school and world-class hospital in Israel, Hadassah continues to further women's health and education issues and make the world a safer, better place.

During the program, past chapter presidents read from a larger-than-life "Megillat Hadassah" that recounted highlights from the past nine decades. From the initial goal of sending two nurses to Palestine in 1912 to the creation and support of a nursing school and world-class hospital in Israel, Hadassah continues to further women's health and education issues and make the world a safer, better place.

Mrs. Frances Garber, 95, honored guest, past president of Dallas Hadassah and a recipient of the chapter's "Woman of the Year" award, said, "There weren't a lot of organizations for women, especially Jewish women, back when I joined Hadassah." Her mother, sisters and aunts all became members of Hadassah early in both the organization's and their histories.

Mrs. Garber says that through the years she has witnessed to many exciting events, including the time she heard the first Israeli United Nations Representative, Abba Eban address the women's group. Abba Eban concurrently served as ambassador to the United States until his election to the Knesset (Israeli parliament) in 1959. He ultimately became the Foreign Minister from 1966 to 1974.

"I still feel the thrill of being part of something big," says Mrs. Garber, who was joined at the event by her nephew and his wife, Marvin and Irene Engelberg of Cleveland, OH.

As each Hadassah chapter across the United States celebrated during the evening, signatures of all members were collected and will be presented to National President Bonnie Lipton during the 88th National Convention in Orlando, Fla. in July 2002.