“Not your grandmother’s Hadassah” became the rallying cry of the largest Jewish women’s organization in this country decades ago when its leadership and membership were aging. However, it appears that younger women were busy with their families and/or careers and didn’t heed the call; they continued to leave involvement in Hadassah to older generations. So, how could Hadassah attract a younger generation of women if they still saw their mothers and bubbies as its target market?
Just a few years ago, Hadassah came up with a great solution, Evolve Hadassah: The Next Generation. Evolve was developed as a national program for women in their 30s, 40s, and 50s to inspire them to be part of a Hadassah community and take action on issues they care about. The Wilmington Chapter of Hadassah now offers Evolve to women in this age range thanks to area resident, Rachel Werkheiser. In 2024, Rachel applied to become part of a select group of Evolve participants who are given a life-changing immersive opportunity to learn more about Hadassah, gain leadership skills, and travel to Israel.
Rachel was accepted into the select group but her trip to Israel, scheduled for November 2024, became a four-day Evolve Immersive Experience (EIE) in New York City instead because of safety concerns in Israel. However, the theme of the four-day experience, “Bringing a Taste of Israel to New York” was designed to help Rachel and her cohort forge connections to Israel, Hadassah’s work, and one another.
“I think my favorite part was the American Jewish Historical Society,” Rachel was quoted as saying in an article on the Hadassah website. “It was absolutely fascinating, and I loved seeing all the treasures and having them explained to us.”
Rachel also wanted to “not only see things [she had] never seen before but also experience them with a group of [her] friends.” She continued, “I hope to never stop learning and experiencing new things.”
Rachel went on to explain that she has been a Hadassah life member since childhood because of her mother’s involvement in the organization. Joining EIE meant continuing her mother’s legacy and fulfilling her own need to connect with Jewish women, give back to the community, and help with Hadassah’s mission in Israel. “My friend sent me information about the EIE program, and I immediately jumped in with both feet.”
Rachel’s involvement in the Jewish community goes well beyond Hadassah. She began a two-year term as president of Congregation Beth Emeth in June 2025, after serving on a number of committees and holding other offices in recent years. She was previously an at-large member on the Siegel JCC Board of Directors. Professionally, Rachel is a corporate restructuring lawyer with the US Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware.
After making candles for Chanukah, Wilmington Hadassah Evolve members get ready to indulge in latkes and other holiday treats; Photo Credit: Wilmington Chapter of Hadassah
During the past year Rachel has been sharing her commitment to making Hadassah relevant to the next generation by organizing activities where prospective and current members can make new friends and learn the benefits of Hadassah membership. Activities have included a morning of games with friends, a candle-making program prior to Chanukah, a spring walk outside the JCC, and a trip to New York City to see Death Becomes Her on Broadway. The latter attracted women (and men) of all ages. Together with co-planner Missy Rosenthal, Rachel developed this as an Evolve-driven activity, and a similar trip is likely to occur in the future, as are more local activities.
Evolve Hadassah is giving the next generation the opportunity to make connections that will last a lifetime and help create change at the local level and in the world. You can be a part of a community of empowered young women supporting Israel and advocating for issues that are a priority for Hadassah and are critical to the next generation.
The advocacy page of the Hadassah website, www.hadassah.org/get-involved/advocate-take-action, details priorities that will be of particular interest to the next generation, including:
- Combating antisemitism through education—at home and abroad—including helping to secure passage of the Never Again Education Act, which expands Holocaust and anti-hate education throughout the US;
- Developing the reConceiving Infertility program to raise awareness, confront taboos, destigmatize infertility and fight for access to quality, affordable diagnosis and treatment; and
- Championing women’s health equity with its vision for a future of women’s health that includes prevention, research, maternal and reproductive health, and access to quality and affordable care.
To learn more about the Wilmington Chapter of Hadassah’s Evolve: The Next Generation program, contact Rachel Werkheiser at rachellwerkheiser@gmail.com.
Hadassah, the Women’s Zionist Organization of America, empowers women to find innovative ways to connect, advocate, and become powerful leaders. Our members (everyone who identifies as a woman)—with our allies and supporters—make our impact possible, ensuring that Hadassah healing, in every sense of the word, reaches people who need it the most. Contact Judi Rosenberg at judimax1@aol.com for information about Hadassah membership and the Wilmington Chapter.
