by Elaine Durbach
NJJN Bureau Chief/Central

January 03, 2008

A hectic evening of tennis organized recently by the young women’s section of the Westfield chapter of Hadassah drew 22 couples to indoor courts in Mountainside, some to play and some just to socialize. The organizers declared it a big success, in terms of enjoyment and — though final numbers weren’t yet available — as a fund-raiser.

It was just the latest effort from a group whose growing membership defies the trend that has dogged so many philanthropic groups. Started about 10 years ago by Karen Rose and Geralyn Lichtenstein, the section has about 100 active members and around 140 names on its mailing list. The group is currently co-led by Amanda Friss, Helayne Levitt, Rachel Lipschutz, and Marci Tavasi.

The Westfield chapter as a whole has around 600 members. Two months ago, it celebrated its 50th anniversary at a gala luncheon in Short Hills and honored four women who were charter members, Beverly Fink, Claire Fishkin, Bea Jaffe, and Joyce Tischler.

In conversation with longtime members of most women’s groups, you hear regretful talk about how busy everyone is and how the younger women either have fulltime jobs or are so busy running around with their children, they have no time for the morning meetings that were for generations past the staple of such organizations. The Westfield women, by contrast, talked with excitement about their under-45 group. The Maplewood chapter has its Aviva group, which caters to younger members, but Westfield’s “young women’s group” is the only one of its kind in Hadassah’s Northern New Jersey Region.

Many of the younger members do have jobs, or part-time ones, and it is true, they say, that they spend a lot of time juggling the logistics of their children’s activities. But with events scheduled in the evening once or twice a month, at times carefully geared to the younger set, the group has been able to boast a steadily growing membership.

Discussing the group’s success over a morning get-together last week — which took a string of e-mail exchanges to organize — Friss, who cochaired the tennis event with Leslie Merkelson, and Lipschutz talked about what drew them to Hadassah.

The women are both nearing the “under-45” limit themselves and glad, they said, that the description is a very loose one. They are married with three teenage offspring apiece, and both used to have full-time jobs, Lipschutz as a lawyer and Friss in merchandizing, and for now have put their careers on hold.

Hadassah’s primary attraction, they said, was the chance to support its enormously worthwhile causes. They both talked with pride about the organization’s projects in Israel and its lobbying efforts in this country. Lipschutz has been to the Hadassah Medical Center in Jerusalem, and on a visit to Israel this past summer she visited one of the Youth Aliya “villages” for children at risk supported by the organization. The resident youngsters had gone back to their families for the vacation, but Lipschutz was shown around the facility by staff members. She saw the animals the children get to care for as pets and the other projects designed to foster positive development. “I’m sorry the kids weren’t there, but it did look wonderful,” she said.

Friss hasn’t been to Israel yet but said she hopes to go next year, with a family mission that the Hadassah group has begun to plan for 2009.

But both women said what drew them to the Westfield chapter in particular was the chance to socialize with people their own age from around the area — all in support of a good cause. Friss grew up with parents who were community activists, and Lipschutz is the daughter and granddaughter of Hadassah members and has been a life member herself since the age of 13.

But neither was about to follow precisely in their elders’ footsteps.

Lipschutz said, “I’d always wanted to be part of Hadassah, but I didn’t want to spend all my time with people my mom’s age. When I heard that they had started a young women’s group, I was thrilled.” She joined soon after it started; Friss linked up a year or so later.

Topping the group’s calendar is its annual Opening Event each summer, a festive party with spouses and potential new members welcome. Also on the agenda are more casual meet-and-greets, movie nights, book discussion groups, and special occasions like a bowling night, Pampered Chef parties, and a hallah-making class. Another tennis event is planned for next December.

While philanthropy might be their main goal, it’s important, they said, to sometimes set it aside. “Promising that there isn’t going to be any solicitation for funds can be a big factor in attracting people,” Friss said.

Lipschutz said she grew up taking for granted that she would follow her mother’s example of service. “People who grew up without seeing that kind of involvement have a much harder time working out how to fit it into their lives,” she said. “If you’ve seen your parents doing it, you take for granted that this is just something you do.”

“And you find time to do it,” Friss added.