Hadassah Richmond was fortunate that Leslie Baron added an extra year to her term as president due to Covid and extenuating circumstances. However, the chapter is poised for two dedicated leaders to take over in January.
Cheri Wolff, a native Richmonder, and Arlene Wiener, a recent transplant to Richmond, will combine their skills, passions and experiences to lead Richmond into a new and exciting year- and hopefully a year when the chapter can meet and gather in person.
Arlene grew up in Brooklyn, and lived her adult life in Scotch Plains, N.J. There she raised her two sons and worked as an actuary.
Arlene moved to Richmond two years ago and reached out to Hadassah to immerse herself into the Jewish community and make fast friends. With that accomplished, mostly through Zoom and virtual experiences, she was able to jump into friendships and other volunteer experiences.
“I look forward, as Richmond Hadassah co-president, to engaging the Jewish women in the area in Hadassah activities and to strengthen the chapter and the Jewish community at large,” she noted as her goals for the chapter.
Cheri, a Richmonder since birth, has been Hadassah life member since the 1980s. Cheri is a recently retired reading specialist and educator who is also a member of Congregation Beth Ahabah.
She has worked on various volunteer opportunities in Hadassah including sending cards & certificates, working on the inaugural Elinor Bloom Marshall Humanitarian Award program, health programs, and currently is serving as recording secretary here.
“I am hoping to have the opportunity as Richmond Hadassah co-president to increase our roster of dedicated Hadassah members and volunteers. We want our chapter to become a welcoming option for all generations of Jewish women in Richmond to be able to find a like-minded community with which to associate,” Cheri said will be some of her goals for the chapter.
Both women say they hope to “share with our local community the wonderful medical research and care that Hadassah continues to provide for the world through our dedicated efforts.”
Leslie Baron, current Hadassah Richmond president, wishes both women well! “Believe me when I tell you that the best is yet to come under their leadership,” she added. It will be a chapter goal for all to help these leaders succeed.
Join Hadassah Richmond if you are not a member or to get involved! Committee positions and volunteer opportunities are still available, and the chapter can use your help. Contact Cheri at wolffies.cb@gmail.com or Arlene at arlenewiener@comcast.net.
