Houston Chapter of Hadassah Installs New Board

The Jewish women's organization welcomes new leadership and celebrates past achievements.

Jan. 30, 2026 at 12:31am

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The Houston Chapter of Hadassah, a Jewish women's organization, installed its new board of directors at a ceremony on January 11, 2026. The event featured a presentation by a guest speaker, a buffet reception, and the formal discharge of the 2025 board. Past-president Harriet Eisenstein reflected on the chapter's accomplishments over the past two years, including collaborations with local Jewish organizations and fundraising efforts for the Hadassah Medical Organization. The new board, led by president Belinda Denn, was introduced, and the Chapter Leadership Award was presented to Diane Landay and Linda Friedman Pravda for their outstanding contributions.

Why it matters

The Houston Chapter of Hadassah is an important part of the local Jewish community, promoting Hadassah's mission of supporting healthcare, education, and youth programs in Israel and the United States. The installation of a new board signals a transition in leadership and a renewed commitment to the organization's goals.

The details

The installation ceremony was attended by more than 45 people and included a welcome reception, a presentation by guest speaker Beth Schneider from the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, and a buffet reception hosted by Brookdale Galleria. The new board members were installed by Barbara Shurberg, and the 2025 board was formally discharged. Past-president Harriet Eisenstein highlighted the chapter's accomplishments, including collaborations with local Jewish organizations and a successful fundraising event for the Hadassah Medical Organization.

  • The 2026 Houston Chapter of Hadassah Installation took place on Sunday, January 11, 2026.
  • The 2025 board was formally discharged during the ceremony.

The players

Susan Whitman

Membership vice president of the 2026 Houston Chapter of Hadassah board.

Belinda Denn

President of the 2026 Houston Chapter of Hadassah board.

Harriet Eisenstein

Past-president of the Houston Chapter of Hadassah who reflected on the chapter's accomplishments during her tenure.

Beth Schneider

Curatorial consultant of the Judaica Initiative at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, who was the guest speaker at the installation ceremony.

Diane Landay

Recipient of the 2025 Chapter Leadership Award for her outstanding contributions to the Houston Chapter of Hadassah.

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What they’re saying

“Both women have made outstanding contributions to our chapter and are most deserving of this honor. They have served as role models for leadership, played active roles in advancing and strengthening our chapter's success and have demonstrated a deep commitment to both the Greater Jewish community and the broader secular community.”

— Harriet Eisenstein, Past-president, Houston Chapter of Hadassah

The takeaway

The installation of a new board for the Houston Chapter of Hadassah demonstrates the organization's continued commitment to supporting healthcare, education, and youth programs in Israel and the United States, as well as its strong presence within the local Jewish community.