Hadassah: The Women’s Zionist Organization of America has elected Ellen Hershkin, currently a national board member, as its new national president.

Hershkin, of Dix Hills, N.Y., was elected the group’s 26th president on Monday at its annual meeting in Philadelphia.

She will succeed Marcie Natan, the president since 2011 whose term ends Dec. 31. Under Natan’s leadership, the historic agreement between the government of Israel, Hadassah Medical Organization and Hadassah: The Women’s Zionist Organization of America was negotiated.

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Hershkin has been a member of the 300,000-member organization for 42 years, and has served on Hadassah’s national board and executive committee. She has been a national vice president and secretary, and served as the national coordinator or chair for several departments.

She also is a former board member of the Jewish National Fund and the United Israel Appeal Board.

Hershkin studied speech and education at Hofstra University and Jewish studies through a program of the Melton School of Jewish Education/Hebrew University. She was a travel consultant for 20 years and specialized in Israel travel.

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