Eleanor Roosevelt once said,“ A woman is like a tea bag – you can’ t tell how strong she is until you put her in hot water.” That spirit of quiet strength and resilience filled the room at Hadassah Charlotte Metro’ s Membership Tea this summer – an afternoon steeped in connection, purpose, and sisterhood.

Held at the historic Reid House in Matthews, the event welcomed 50 women for a gathering that was as elegant as it was inspiring. The organizing committee, led by Cindy Bolokofsky, created a setting of beauty and warmth – tables adorned with vintage teapots and china, homemade scones and sandwiches, and conversation that flowed as easily as the tea itself.

But beyond the charm was a deeper message: Hadassah women don’ t just gather – they take action. Southern Seaboard Region Co-Presidents Rebecca Young and Diane Bisgaier shared stories of Hadassah’ s global impact, from groundbreaking medical research in Israel to humanitarian work around the world. They also introduced a new regional fundraiser supporting the Mandolin Orchestra at Hadassah’ s Meir Shfeyah

Youth Village, which uses music to bring healing and hope to students. More than $ 2,000 was raised at the Tea to help sustain the program.

Each guest was invited to bring a teacup with personal meaning— and the stories they shared were as rich as the tea itself.

• Suly Chenkin displayed a cup her parents carried from Havana when they fled Cuba after Castro came to power.

• Roz Cooper brought her mother’ s teacup, a wedding gift from her aunt serving in the military, marked“ Made in Occupied Japan.”

Each delicate cup carried a legacy of strength, love, and survival – a testament to how women’ s stories, like tea, grow stronger with time and heat.

Hadassah member Laurie B. Davis reflected on her family’ s five generations of women devoted to Hadassah, a tradition she now proudly continues with her granddaughters.

The afternoon ended in laughter, gratitude, and renewed commitment to the organization’ s mission – proving once again that when Hadassah women gather, they don’ t just drink tea. They

build community, carry history forward, and pour strength into everything they do.

Special thanks to the committee members, Chef Dan Ruda, teen tea servers Sadie Teed and Emily Schenkel, and photographer Carol Ransone for making the event a true celebration of sisterhood and purpose.

If you are interested in joining Hadassah or learning more, contact Membership VP Laurie Sheinhaus at HadassahCLT @ gmail. com or( 980) 553-1880. Upcoming Events Celebrate the TaTas: Stronger Together is coming up on Sunday, November 2. In past years we held two separate events, Painting Days and The Reveal. This year, we are combining the two events into a one-day community-wide experience and adding a powerful educational component. This year’ s event is in partnership with the Levine JCC to provide the opportunity for more community members to participate. Register at www. HadassahCLTevents. org. Be part of the cure by helping Hadassah Charlotte Metro raise funds for cancer research. Care. Check. Connect.

Left to right: Rebecca Young, Laurie B. Davis, Diane Bisgaier

Monthly Happenings

Come to Hadassah Wine & Schmooze on November 4 at 7:00 p. m. at Vintner Wine Market in the Arboretum. Join us on the first Tuesday of every month for a fun evening.

Short Story Discussion Group will meet on Friday, November 14 at 11:45 a. m. on Zoom to discuss“ The Proper Care of Silver” by Emily Franklin, part of the book“ Frankly Feminist: Short Stories by Jewish Women.”

The next Hadassah CLT Metro Board Meeting is Monday, November 17 at 7:00 p. m. on Zoom.

Join Hadassah BookTalk on Tuesday, November 18 at 7:00 p. m. on Zoom to discuss“ Help Wanted” by Adelle Waldman. Because of Thanksgiving, we will be meeting a week earlier than usual.

Our website, www. hadassahcltevents. org, has details and links for our events. If you need additional information, email HadassahCLT @ gmail. com or call our general phone number,( 980) 553-1880. Follow us on Facebook( Hadassah CLT Metro) and Instagram( Hadassah Charlotte Metro).