Corporate Governance and Committees Records in the Hadassah Archives

Hadassah, the Women's Zionist Organization of America, was founded in 1912 by Henrietta Szold. Hadassah’s first convention was held in 1914. As early as 1918, Hadassah was governed by a Central Committee, which met until 1921. Hadassah’s first Constitution was adopted at the 8th National Convention in Pittsburgh in November 1921. On December 5, 1921, the first meeting of the National Executive Board of Hadassah was held at Rose Jacobs' home with many founding members of Hadassah, including Alice Seligsberg, Ruth B. Fromenson, Gertrude Rosenblatt, Lotta Levensohn, and Henrietta Szold. During its early years, the Executive Committee was made up of officers of Hadassah (the President, Vice Presidents, a Secretary, Recording Secretary, and a Treasurer) and appointed members of the national board. The duty of the Executive Committee was to transact business of the organization between National Board meetings. The national board consisted of members elected at the annual convention, regional presidents, and chairmen of standing committees. The national board’s role was to decide policy and initiate and run programs in Palestine/Israel, as well as elect the officers of Hadassah. Over time, the national board expanded its membership to Honorary Vice Presidents (Past National Presidents), members of the Honorary Council, presidents of Hadassah regions and big chapters, thirty-three elected members located within 250 miles of the National Office in New York (known as the Greater Metropolitan Area Board), thirty-three elected members located out of the Greater Metropolitan area, and members elected with “specific duties” (known as co-opted members). Throughout the years, the National President created ad-hoc and standing committees as needed. However, as the organizational structure of Hadassah’s national office evolved from committees to departments and divisions in the 1980s, most of this business came to be conducted within departmental meetings.

A more detailed history of Hadassah's administration can be found in Marlin Levin's book, It Takes a Dream: The Story of Hadassah.