Henrietta Szold

Date of Birth: December 21, 1860

Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius

Date of Death: February 13, 1945

Biography

Henrietta Szold was a prominent Jewish American activist, born on December 21, 1860, in Baltimore, Maryland. She was the eldest of eight daughters in a family with deep roots in Jewish tradition and education. Szold’s remarkable contributions primarily revolve around her role in Zionist movements, her establishment of Hadassah, the Women’s Zionist Organization of America, and her extensive humanitarian work. Szold’s education was comprehensive, although she initially pursued a career in teaching. She later became the first woman to attend the Jewish Theological Seminary of America, albeit informally. Her scholarly pursuits and dedication to Jewish education and culture were evident throughout her life. One of her most significant achievements was founding Hadassah in 1912, which aimed to promote public health initiatives and medical care in Palestine. Under her leadership, Hadassah established hospitals, clinics, and welfare stations, significantly improving the healthcare landscape for Jews and Arabs in the region. Szold’s humanitarian efforts were not limited to healthcare. She played a crucial role in the Youth Aliyah movement, which facilitated the rescue and resettlement of Jewish children from Nazi-occupied Europe to Palestine. This effort saved countless lives and had a lasting impact on the Jewish community. Henrietta Szold passed away on February 13, 1945, in Jerusalem. Her legacy continues to inspire generations through the ongoing work of Hadassah and other organizations she helped establish.

5 Interesting Facts about Henrietta Szold

1. Henrietta Szold was the first woman to attend classes at the Jewish Theological Seminary of America.

2. She co-founded the Jewish Publication Society, which aimed to make Jewish literature more accessible.

3. Szold played a pivotal role in the Youth Aliyah movement, rescuing Jewish children from Nazi Europe.

4. She was an accomplished editor and translator, working on numerous significant Jewish texts.

5. Szold was a strong advocate for women’s education and empowerment within the Jewish community.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Henrietta Szold

1. “Dare to dream… but be not an idle dreamer.”

2. “Progress is impossible without change, and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything.”

3. “The most important thing in illness is never to lose heart.”

4. “To rescue a soul is as great a merit as to create one.”

5. “We cannot just sit in our homes and be content with our own lives; we must also reach out and help others.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Henrietta Szold’s work was largely philanthropic and not driven by personal financial gain. As such, there are no records of her achieving significant personal net worth.

Children

Henrietta Szold never married and did not have biological children. However, through her work with Youth Aliyah, she is considered a motherly figure to many Jewish children she helped rescue and resettle.