Hadassah Names Ocean, NJ's Shelley Kaplan As National Treasurer

Hadassah installed three national officers at its National Assembly meeting in Los Angeles in January, announced Ellen Hershkin, President of Hadassah, the Women’s Zionist Organization of America, Inc. (HWZOA). Merna Shapiro from Parkland, FL was installed as National Vice President, Shelley Kaplan from Ocean, NJ as National Treasurer, and Frieda Rosenberg from Merrick, NY as National Portfolio Council Officer of the nation’s largest women’s Zionist organization. Marlene Post, Hadassah’s 21^st National President officiated at the installation ceremony.

Hadassah National President Ellen Hershkin states, “Since its founding over 100 years ago, the lifeblood of Hadassah has been the support, dedication and service of a talented core of volunteers such as Merna Shapiro, Shelley Kaplan and Frieda Rosenberg Each of these newly-elected national officers bring an extraordinary array of leadership skills and talents in dedicated service to HWZOA. In this year of many celebrations – the 100^th anniversary of Hadassah Medical Organization (HMO), the Henrietta Szold Hadassah-Hebrew University School of Nursing and HMO’s Department of Ophthalmology – Hadassah is truly blessed to have their commitment and support and sense of our mission.”

Ocean, NJ resident Shelley Kaplan, as National Treasurer, chairs Hadassah’s Finance Committee and sits on the National Board. Kaplan was a member of Hadassah’s Oversight and Compliance Committee; Chair, Hadassah National Speakers Bureau; Chair, Hadassah Major Gifts; served on the National Finance Committee; and was Region President, Hadassah Southern New Jersey. She is a member of Hadassah’s Circle of Founders and a Benefactor of Peace. Kaplan, a CPA, received her BS in Accounting from SUNY Binghamton and was a tax accountant at Touche Ross in Rochester, NY, and a senior tax manager at DeLoitte and Touche, Pittsburgh, PA.

Kaplan emphasizes the personal growth and a creative outlet for her talents which Hadassah has provided since she joined the organization. “When I joined Hadassah, I learned what Hadassah does for Israel, why it does it and why it is important. Hadassah has given me endless opportunities to grow as a Jewish woman, a committed Zionist and a passionate advocate for Hadassah’s medical research, youth villages and Jewish continuity. I am proud to serve as HWZOA National Treasurer and I look forward to contributing my professional expertise in finance and accounting to further Hadassah’s mission.”

Hadassah, the Women’s Zionist Organization of America, Inc. (HWZOA) is the largest Jewish women’s organization in the United States. With 330,000 members, associates and supporters Hadassah brings Jewish women together to effect change and advocate on critical issues such as medical care and research and women's empowerment. Through the Hadassah Medical Organization's two hospitals, the world-renowned trauma center and the leading research facility in Jerusalem, Hadassah supports the delivery of exemplary patient care to over a 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. For more information, visit www.hadassah.org.