In New York in 1912, the first group of Hadassah was chartered after its founder, Henrietta Szold, returned from Jerusalem. The second chapter of Hadassah was chartered in Norfolk, Va. Now, 113 years later, Hadassah’s Norfolk-Virginia Beach chapter is reenergizing and excited to serve all of Tidewater.  Hadassah is the largest Jewish women’s organization in the United States. With almost 300,000 members, associates, and supporters across the country, Hadassah brings Jewish women together to affect change and advocate on critical issues such as medical care and research, women’s empowerment, domestic advocacy in the United States, and the security of Israel. 

Through the Hadassah Medical Organization’s (HMO) two hospitals, the worldrenowned trauma center, and the leading research facility in Jerusalem, Hadassah supports the delivery of exemplary patient care to more than one million people every year. HMO serves without regard to race, religion, or nationality and earned a Nobel Peace Prize
Nomination in 2005 for building “bridges to peace” through equality in medical treatment.