A delegation of 13 Israeli women joined an incredible show of support for Israel last week, as 400 members of the Jewish community representing local organizations, synagogues and community agencies participated on a single team at the 2002 Komen Pittsburgh Race for the Cure as an expression of common concerns surrounding women's health issues.

This year's team, “Hilla Bagalil: Walking Together for Women’s Health in the Galilee,” is an outgrowth of an independent effort launched two years ago to build greater awareness of women's health issues in Israel. The walk had been held concurrently in Pittsburgh and Israel each fall. This year, because of heightened concerns related to the current crisis in Israel and a desire to show solidarity with the Israeli people, the effort was folded into the Race for the Cure.

Hilla Bagalil is a program of the United Jewish Federation Women’s Voices 2000, the women’s component of the Partnership 2000 project, which builds people-to-people connections between Israeli communities and Jewish communities throughout North America. Pittsburghers Essie and Harold Garfinkel are volunteer co-chairs of Partnership 2000. Barbara Booken is Voices chair, and Tova Weinberg is co-chair.

While in Pittsburgh the Israeli women met with a variety of local groups and spoke at programs focusing on common interests and concerns largely pertaining to women's health issues.

While here, Tammy Kenton, director of the Weiner/NA'AMAT Pittsburgh Women’s Health Center in Karmiel, Israel, who was among the participants in the visiting Israeli delegation, was interviewed on the Lynn Cullen radio show and by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

To review the Post-Gazette story click on http://www.post-gazette.com/world/20020511israeli0511p2.asp . After the interview on Lynn Cullen, Lynn noted privately that she receives many anti-Israel callers, and indicated that it would be helpful if supporters of Israel would also phone in. Her show is Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. on radio station WPPT (1360AM).

Sivan 5762 - May 2002