Have you met Raquela?

Diane Schwartz, Presidents Council for Collier/Lee Chapter

Many readers may know of or have read the book “Raquela: A Woman of Israel” by Ruth Gruber. It is a National Jewish Book Award-winning biography.

“Raquela” is the true story of the life of Raquela Prywes who came to Israel during the 1940s. She graduated in the first class of the Hadassah School of Nursing. Her personal and professional life track the pre-State years and growth of the early State of Israel. She knew and treated many well-known people including Golda Meir and Henrietta Szold. Prywes was a strong, empowered Zionist and a fine example of what Hadassah women are today. It is a wonderful book for a book club if you haven’t read it yet. There is a lot to discuss.

Group discussion takes us to the present time. Collier/Lee Hadassah honors Prywes’ name, because her life and actions represent National Hadassah’s history, and our present is represented through Hadassah Magazine, weaving these two eras together.

We have initiated groups of women who will focus on reading and discussing a self-selected article from the award-winning Hadassah Magazine as decided by the rotating discussion leader. In this turbulent world, this group is a wonderful way to meet new friends, renew friendships, reconnect with Hadassah and delve into meaningful conversations about topical Jewish issues in Israel, the U.S. and the world.

The group(s) will plan its(their) own meeting(s). Many thanks to JoAnn Lewin for coordinating the Raquela/Fort Myers Group. They’ve met several times, and the discussions have been meaningful, providing an opportunity for participants to share their thoughts and be heard by their peers. The group meeting is held at Jewish Federation of Lee & Charlotte Counties. The next meeting will be on July 15 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Contact JoAnn Lewin via collierleehadassah@gmail.com about this and future meetings; please put Raquela/Fort Myers in the subject line.

We are happy to include our thanks to Iris Shur, who offered to lead the Naples group. The first meeting was the morning of June 16 at Jewish Federation of Greater Naples. Contact Iris Shur via collierleehadassah@gmail.com; please put Raquela/Naples in the subject line. Right now, Raquela/Naples has a waiting list. If you are interested, sign up, and we can create another group. We are aiming for in-depth and enjoyable conversations for 10 to 12 people in all groups.

We live in difficult, stressful times for Jewish communities. We can keep up with the issues while knowing that our most significant way to deal with these times is to stay together, help each other, talk with each other, pray with each other and volunteer with each other.

YOU ARE INVITED

July 11 – Enjoy a potluck Book Swap • July 15 – Raquela/Fort Myers

Aug. 11 – Raquela/Naples

Sept. 16 – Clive Daniel Luncheon, Lecture and Shopping

Nov. 17 – Fall Meeting and Vendors Showcase

Dec. 14 – Meet and greet Hadassah National President

Carol Ann Schwartz at a luncheon event in Schiff Hall at the Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center of Greater Naples. This event is open to all Hadassah members as well as the community. Information and invitations will follow in the fall. Watch your email for further information.