Rhoda Bernstein and Laurie Werner: carrying on the tradition
Rhoda Bernstein and her sister Laurie Werner are third generation Hadassah members and supporters. Their mother, Madlyn Barnett z”l, continued her mother’s tradition of “giving of herself and her talents” and rose through the ranks, holding many regional and national positions. “We were not your typical Ozzie and Harriet household with mother home all the time,” shared Rhoda. Rhoda got involved in Hadassah as a child, appearing in style shows and accompanying her mother to conventions where she was giving speeches. “I would make posters for her,” recalls Rhoda. Bitten by the Hadassah bug, Rhoda became a chapter president in her 20’s and regional president at the young age of 39. Hadassah was a part of her life, the more she did the more she loved it; the more she loved it, the more she did. And, after more than 20 years of service with support from her husband, Howard, Rhoda is very clear that Hadassah has given a lot to her. “Hadassah gave me a career, a sense of identity, a connection with Judaism and the state of Israel, a connection with my mother, sister and friends, and skills I never would have developed.” Laurie recalls their small Jewish community where everyone belonged to everything. During college, she went with their mother to conventions. After she married her husband, Lon, she started going to local meetings and quickly became involved, also holding a number of positions. Given her training as a CPA, major gifts was a natural fit. When the regional presidency slot was open, Laurie recalls her sister Rhoda saying to her, “You know you’re going to do it sooner or later, don’t you want to do it while Grandma’s alive?” Laurie sees her and Lon’s involvement in Hadassah as a reflection of the family values handed down to her and Rhoda—“there’s more to life than work, having lunch, and playing tennis. We are blessed to have what we have and we should share it.”
Upon graduating from college, Brenda followed in her mother’s footsteps and became active in Hadassah with two mentors taking her under their wings. She rose up through the ranks and found herself drawn to fundraising with the Hadassah Medical Organization being the center of her attention. “HMO is my baby. The hospital—it’s what drives me, it calls me.” “The hospital treats everyone—Jews, Arabs, and Muslims—whoever walks through the doors,” shared Brenda. “It’s my way of feeling connected to Israel without living there.” In honor of the Centennial and their five children, Brenda and her husband Nelson gifted The Menda Promenade to Hadassah. It is used by 30,000 people every day as they pass from the shopping mall to the main hospital building in Ein Kerem. “The best feeling in the world is to give,” says Brenda.
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As far as the next generation goes, Laurie’s daughter-in-law is a Life Member and Rhoda shares, “you plant the seeds with your kids. Mine have Jewish hearts and good spirits.”
Brenda Lazoff Menda grew up in Puerto Rico where her mother was very active in the local Hadassah chapter. “I grew up hearing about Hadassah all the time.” The Jewish community was very vibrant and Brenda was involved in Young Judaea activities from an early age.
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At the end of the day, for Rhoda and Laurie, it’s about family. It was an honor for them to be in Israel with three generations of the family to honor their mother with the dedication of the Barnett Healing Garden. It’s a place where “patients can be healed, where families can be together and find peace.”
Brenda Lazoff Menda