By JULIE WIENER
Jewish Telegraphic Agency
August 22, 2000
NEW YORK—For activists in North America’s largest Jewish women’s
organization, last week’s Democratic National Convention in Los Angeles
was like a marketing dream come true.
With Hadassah Lieberman’s rise to fame as wife of vice-presidential candidate
Joseph Lieberman, the name Hadassah had become a household word even in non-Jewish
homes.
On national television, an entire hall of convention delegates waved signs
saying simply “Hadassah,” as Mrs. Lieberman delivered a speech.
Media commentators discussed the origin of the name, Hebrew for Esther, the
young Jewish queen who, according to the Bible, lived in ancient Persia and
saved the Jews from extermination. Esther’s story is retold each year at
Purim.
While discussing Hadassah Lieberman, some commentators made references to the
88-year-old organization, which has slightly more than 300,000 members and is
best known for its hospitals in Jerusalem.
Henrietta Szold, the founder of Hadassah, the Women’s Zionist Organization
of America, chose the name so the organization would look to Esther, the Jewish
heroine, for inspiration.
Hadassah is also mentioned in the Bible as a hardy plant that is considered
similar to a myrtle.
Hadassah, the would-be vice president’s wife, is a member of her namesake
group, and after she entered the national limelight, was given an honorary lifetime
membership.
Meanwhile, Hadassah leadership says it hopes to get their own “convention
bounce” as a result of the new publicity.
“Between now and election day, our name will be repeated hundreds of times
in every media market in the country,” said Bonnie Lipton, Hadassah’s
president.
“This could be the biggest P.R. bonanza we’ve had in years,”
Lipton said. “But now, like politicians and pollsters, we need to ensure
that our raised visibility brings results. In our case that means enrolling
more members.”
Is there any concern that the organization will somehow be seen as endorsing
the Democratic party ticket?
Despite the temptation of having four, or even eight, years of their name being
repeated, Hadassah officials insist theirs is a non-political organization.
“Hadassah in no way endorses any candidate or any party or any aspect
of partisan politics but we do believe everyone should do their civic duty and
get out and vote,” said Lipton.
