Hadassah Hosts Virtual Power Lunch with Gabby Giffords on May 6

Hadassah Chicago North Shore (CNS) will hold its 8th annual Power Lunch, moderated by Hadassah Magazine Executive Editor Lisa Hostein and featuring special guests Gabby Giffords and Giffords Law Center Executive Director Robyn Thomas, on Thursday, May 6 from 11:30 AM -1:00 PM (CST). Hostein will lead Giffords and Thomas in a conversation on gun control safety and the ways and means to make our communities safer for all. Long-time Hadassah CNS volunteer Lana Eisenberg, President of Hadassah Highland Park, will be honored for her 50+ years of service to the Zionist women’s organization which has over 11,000 members in the Chicagoland area and 40,000 members in the Hadassah Midwest Geographic Region. Tickets to the virtual event are $36. For more information or to register, visit hadassahmidwest.org/cnspl or call 847.205.1900.

According to a recent report by the Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence, gun violence costs the U.S. $219 billion annually. Lost income represents the biggest cost to the economy, the report notes. Employer costs, police and criminal justice responses and health care treatment are among the other major expenses.

Illinois gun safety laws get A- on a 2020 scorecard, according to the Giffords Law Center report. In 2020, Illinois ranked at No. 8 out of 50 states for the strength of its gun laws and 35th out of 50 states in gun death rates. Approximately 10.8 out of every 100,000 people in Illinois are killed by guns each year, below the national average of 11.9.

Gabby Giffords, nationally recognized for her gun control advocacy, served as a member of the United States House of Representatives for five years, representing Arizona’s 8th congressional district from January 2007 to January 2012. She was a victim of gun violence at a constituent event on January 8, 2011 enduring life-threatening injuries from a gunshot to the head. Along with her husband, Senator Mark Kelly (AZ), Giffords founded Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence to lead the national gun safety movement and help pass significant legislation. Giffords is a Life Member of Hadassah and resides in her hometown of Tucson, Arizona.

Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence Executive Director Robyn Thomas joined the non-profit organization in 2006. Thomas works with the organization to draft and defend safer gun laws, educate legislators about evidence-based gun law policy and serve as an expert witness on gun laws. She has written about gun violence prevention for the New York Times, Newsweek and Oprah Magazine.

Lana Eisenberg has contributed over 50 years of service to Hadassah. Committed to philanthropy since the age of 10, Lana, a native of Deerfield, Illinois, began volunteering as a young mom at the Hadassah Resale Shop and continued that service for over 20 years. In addition, Lana has concentrated her efforts in major gifts philanthropy for Hadassah, served on the board of her Highland Park Hadassah Chapter, and is a member of Hadassah’ Society of Major Donors. Presently, she serves as president of the Highland Park chapter.

Recently celebrating its centennial, Hadassah Magazine, which automatically goes to every Hadassah member, publishes six print issues annually along with regularly updated web content (hadassahmagazine.org). Hadassah Magazine has won more than 350 national awards for journalistic and publication excellence and maintains a social media presence on Facebook (facebook.com/hadassahmag); Twitter (twitter.com/hadassahmag); Pinterest (pinterest.com/hadassahmagazin) and Instagram @hadassahmagazine.

Hadassah CNS President Francine Ephraim states, “Hadassah’s annual power lunch brings nationally-recognized women of great accomplishment to the Chicagoland region, such as Gabby Giffords, who serve as an inspiration to our membership and exemplify our motto, ’The Power of Women Who Do.’ For over five decades, this year’s power lunch honoree, Lana Eisenberg, also has exemplified our motto through her personal philanthropy and selfless service.”

Hadassah Midwest Geographic Region Managing Director Ronna Ash states, “Hadassah CNS members have been all-in throughout this Covid-19 period for attending Zoom events. Their ‘can-do’ spirit has allowed us to maintain the vitality of Hadassah’s programs and connect our members even though we have not been able to meet in-person. The ability to participate in programs and events outside their local area has really inspired our Hadassah members.”

Hadassah Magazine executive Editor Lisa Hostein states, “I am delighted to have the opportunity to interview Gabby Giffords, who has been so instrumental in addressing gun violence and in urging the country forward in enacting sensible gun laws. Her story of courage and perseverance has been an inspiration to so many.”

Media are invited to attend and cover the event. Tickets to the virtual event are $36. For more information or to register, visit hadassahmidwest.org/cnspl or call 847.205.1900. For additional information, please contact Hadassah Chicago-North Shore at cns@hadassah.org or 847.205.1900.

About the Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence

The Giffords Law Center works at the local, state and national levels by providing technical assistance, free of charge, to lawmakers, advocates, legal professionals, law enforcement, and citizens who seek to make their communities safer from gun violence. By prompting critical support for the enactment of effective and defensible legislation at the state and local levels, the Center fills gaps in federal policy and demonstrate that gun safety measures that save thousands of lives can be enacted which do not threaten Second Amendment rights.

About Hadassah

Hadassah, the Women’s Zionist Organization of America, Inc. (HWZOA), is the largest Jewish women’s organization in the United States. With nearly 300,000 members, Associates, and supporters, Hadassah brings women together to effect change and advocate on such critical issues as ensuring the security of Israel, combating antisemitism, and promoting women’s health. Through the Hadassah Medical Organization's (HMO) two hospitals in Jerusalem, Hadassah delivers exemplary patient care to over a million people every year and supports world-renowned medical research. HMO serves without regard to race, religion, or nationality and earned a Nobel Peace Prize Nomination in 2005 for building “bridges to peace.” Additionally, Hadassah supports several Youth Aliyah villages that set at-risk children in Israel on the path to a successful future. For more information, visit www.hadassah.org.