​Seventeen young leaders from Paris, London, Amsterdam, Geneva, Zurich, Bonn, Strasbourg, and Madrid came together at the end of December for the “Young Hadassah Leaders in Europe” retreat. Bringing together both new and veteran members, the gathering marked an important and energizing moment for this growing European community.

The gathering was held under the auspices of Young Hadassah Without Borders (YHWB). Founded in 2022, YJWB is a network of purpose-driven leaders whose focus is to create humanitarian transformation by promoting activities that impact health. With a mission to inspire, engage, and empower young leaders, it provides a framework for them to create initiatives and projects that are meaningful, impactful, and sustainable, and can expand the awareness of Hadassah’s work throughout the world.

Participants represented a wide range of disciplines, including humanitarian response, medicine, architecture, banking, music, graphic design, and marketing. This diversity created fertile ground for interdisciplinary learning, thoughtful dialogue, and creative problem-solving, reminding everyone of the strength that comes from different perspectives working toward a shared purpose.

“This weekend with Hadassah Young European Team was an extraordinarily rewarding experience, marked by authentic connections, heartfelt moments, and a profound sense of shared mission,” shared young leader Yohanna. At 45 and working in real estate, Yohanna is very involved with the Jewish community in France, serving as Vice President of WIZO France. 

“I feel both privileged and honored to have participated,” Yohanna added. “It was beautiful to meet people from various cultures, united by our openness and common vision.”

The energy in the room at the retreat was unmistakable. In a time when in-person connection has become increasingly rare, and even more so across borders, the bonds formed over just three days were deeply felt. Participants connected with one another as people, not just as titles or roles. Out of these moments came something powerful: a renewed and collective commitment to advancing inclusive, life-saving healthcare that transcends culture, religion, and borders.

The retreat underscored a simple truth: real impact begins with real connection. When people feel seen, valued, and trusted, they become capable of acting boldly, across differences, across cultures, and across countries. This felt especially meaningful in the context of the global climate since October 7 and the rise of antisemitism, which reinforced the urgency of solidarity, compassion, and shared humanity.

The group grounded itself in the history, mission, and structure of Hadassah hospitals, reaffirming why this work matters not only to Israel, but to the world. Israel reflects the diversity of the global community: Jews, Muslims, Christians, atheists; people from North and South America, Africa, Europe, and the Middle East, many of whom come together to call it home. Hadassah stands as a living example of coexistence, committed to delivering the highest quality healthcare to as many people as possible, regardless of politics, religion, or background.

Young leader Adriano – a Brazilian-born graphic designer and fine artist now living in Paris became involved with YH through friends, who were already supporting Hadassah. Adriano shared that “the retreat was an incredibly uplifting and energizing experience. It was really beautiful to connect with people from different cultures, coming together with our hearts open, and with the same intention.” 

Participants explored key fundraising priorities, including the construction of six new protected operating rooms (ORs) at Hadassah Ein Kerem. This need to expand the hospital’s underground surgical suite has become massively more acute since October 7, to ensure that life-saving care can continue even during missile attacks. 

During the retreat, the Young Leaders in Europe formally defined their three core goals: fundraising for Hadassah Medical Organization, creating impact through health, and growing a global, inclusive network. Participants also shared progress on projects nearing completion, including Green ORs, Words for Hope, Humans of Hadassah, and Global Pulse.

Looking ahead, the group engaged in project brainstorming and early-stage development for 2026. What began as open-ended idea sharing quickly evolved into tangible concepts that felt achievable and grounded. The interdisciplinary nature of the group allowed ideas to take shape with both creativity and practicality.

Eli,  a 20-year-old banker from England, joined YH because he wanted to support a charity that works to provide global access to healthcare and medical innovation. “Working with Hadassah has been a privilege,” he says. “The mission is vital, and the team brings it to life with real passion and purpose.” 

The outcome of the retreat was a united and energized European network, ready to act with purpose, compassion, and imagination. By the end, the gathering felt less like a meeting and more like a shared intention coming into focus.

A group of strangers had become a community. A community had begun to function as a team. And a team was preparing itself for real, meaningful impact.

This gathering was not just a kickoff. It marked the start of something deeper, a movement being built together. And it is only just beginning.

Want to learn more about Young Hadassah Without Borders? Please contact us. We’d love to hear from you.