Award-winning author Francine Klagsbrun discusses her new biography of Henrietta Szold, the founder of Hadassah and a Zionist trailblazer, with moderator Felicia Herman, in celebration of this book receiving a Natan Notable Book Award from the Natan Fund in partnership with the Jewish Book Council. 

Henrietta Szold (1860–1945) was a pioneer who challenged prevailing attitudes of immigrants, Jews, and women to create new educational, health, and Zionist institutions that still exist today. In this new biography, Klagsbrun details the incredible achievements of this extraordinary woman who understood not just the ideals but also the necessary actions—of her and of the world around her—to build a better world for Jews, Americans, and immigrants. The founder of Hadassah–the Women’s Zionist Organization of America–Szold was also a scholar, editor, and translator; an educator who started a night school for new immigrants in Baltimore that became a model for schools across the United States; the director of Youth Aliyah, which rescued thousands of Jews from Nazis; and an advocate for numerous public health initiatives in America and the Yishuv. 

In a moment when it feels like the world is in so much turmoil, we are looking to Szold, who  mobilized generations of American Jewish women to advocate for the future of America and Israel. We are honored to celebrate her legacy, Francine Klagsbrun’s compelling biography, and the legacy of American Jewish women who have been and continue to advocate for a better tomorrow. 

Francine Klagsbrun is the author of numerous books, including the award-winning Lioness: Golda Meir and the Nation of Israel. She has been a columnist for Jewish Week and Moment, is a contributing editor to Lilith, and is on the editorial board of Hadassah Magazine. Her writings have appeared in the New York Times, the Boston Globe, Newsweek, Ms.magazine, and other national publications.

Felicia Herman is Managing Director, North America, of Maimonides Fund and Associate Editor of SAPIR: Ideas for a Thriving Jewish Future. She joined Maimonides in 2021 after 16 years as Executive Director of Natan, a giving circle/grantmaking foundation focused on supporting Jewish and Israeli social innovation. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she also served as Director of the Aligned Grant Program of the Jewish Community Response and Impact Fund. Felicia sits on the boards of the American Jewish Historical Society, DreamStreet Theatre Company, and Natan, as well as on the advisory boards of two initiatives launched by Natan: Shomer Collective and Amplifier, both of which she founded. She holds a Ph.D. in Jewish History and an M.A. in Jewish Women’s Studies from Brandeis University, and she is a proud recipient of the Jewish Funders Network’s JJ Greenberg Memorial Award.

This program is in partnership with the Natan Fund, the Jewish Book Council, and Hadassah: The Women’s Zionist Organization of America. 

Please join us for a Shabbat dinner with Natan members and families on the Upper West Side (83rd & Columbus).

Another opportunity to connect, meet, and shmooze with our wonderful Natan community. We hope you and your family can join us as we take a pause from the workweek to celebrate Shabbat.

RSVP below. Because space is limited, please sign up early. If you need to cancel your RSVP, please let Sarah know before Sept. 13, 2024.

Join us for a conversation with teacher and thought leader Mijal Bitton and authors Yonah Jeremy Bob and Ilan Evyatar to discuss their timely new book "Target Tehran: How Israel Is Using Sabotage, Cyberwarfare, Assassination – and Secret Diplomacy – to Stop a Nuclear Iran and Create a New Middle East", winner of the Natan Notable Book Award.

Please register for the event here or by clicking on the invitation below. As Natan members you can use the code NATAN to register for free and get put on the VIP list.

Book selling and signing available after the talk. Select VIP tickets for an exclusive reception with food and drink with the authors after the conversation.

Please join us for a brunch with former director of Jerusalem Intercultural Community Center Hagai Amnon Snir.

How do the horrific October 7 Hamas attack on Israel and the subsequent Israeli military response impact the historic progressive Zionist narrative? To address this question,  Ken Bob, President of Ameinu, will trace the ideological line from Herzl to the kibbutzniks of today through excerpts from articles, speeches and interviews. This program is based upon a text study methodology that Ameinu’s Third Narrative has used on campuses and in general engagement around Progressive Zionism.

This event is organized by Natan in partnership with Stephen Wise Free Synagogue’s Amplify Israel initiative. Refreshments and beverages will be served.

Please RSVP here

We’re going on a site visit! Join Natan’s Confronting Poverty Committee as we experience Met Council’s Digital Food Pantry. After a short presentation on the technology, rollout, and iterations, we will pack some orders and experience how novel, accessible, and efficient this new system is. After volunteering, we will continue schmoozing with Met Council staff and Natan members at ilili (5th Ave b/w 27th and 28th).

Please RSVP below.

Please join us at our next Natan Salon, featuring political strategist Gary Ginsberg, Chair of the New York Solidarity Network. Ginsberg will share his reflections and insights on political giving, with a focus on NY elections. We will hear how Israel, antisemitism, and the push for a NYC ceasefire resolution are impacting 2024 elections. Additional guest speaker(s) to be announced.

This is not a political fundraiser. The Natan Fund is inviting Ginsberg to speak to Natan members about the state of NY politics and how to be thoughtful about one's political contributions with the looming 2024 elections, especially in light of the outsized role that Israel is playing in local (i.e., not federal) elections.

UES location details will be shared upon RSVP.

Event description here.