The summer has wound down, and we are in the midst of the Days of Awe. This is the season for reflection. How did the prior year unfold? What did we learn that we will carry with us into the New Year?

The Hadassah Richmond Chapter can be proud of its accomplishments. We began the Year 5785 honoring Claudia Biegler with the Elinor Bloom Marshall award, for which this event raised $150,000 for Hadassah Hospitals in Israel.

Our Advocacy chairpeople, Miriam Davidow and Cheri Wolff, prepared us for the 2025 Virginia General Assembly. We partnered with the Federation in 'Screams Before Silence' in March, reflecting on the events of October 7.

We honored Jewish Heritage Month with a private tour of Beth Ahabah Archives in May. Gail Moskowitz and Amy Unger planned a health and educational program on CPR training.

And last but not least, two intimate discussions were held in members' homes, one on the intersection of Orthodoxy and Feminism and another on what it means to be Chutzpahdik! Our chapter partnered with the Weinstein JCC, offering an opportunity to learn the Art of Challah Braiding with Idan Chabasov, the Challah Prince.

The chapter’s reflection on the past year has inspired us to already begin planning for 5786 to offer another intimate discussion on SuperAging in October – more to come. We will have another partnership with the Weinstein JCC, offering an opportunity to meet Beejhy Barhany – Ethiopian Israeli chef on Nov. 16.

As you embark on your journey of reflection, consider joining the chapter in these upcoming events and getting involved.

Arlene Wiener