The Alembika Team Lois Berkson, who is seen soaking up the sunshine in her Alembika FEMALE LEADER TEE, has been a passionate, engaged member of Hadassah for many years. Hadassah’s mission as changemakers, is to bring healing, in every sense of the word, where it’s needed most in Israel, the USA, and around the world. We asked Lois a few questions about women and power…
What moment in your life made you think, “After that, life was never the same.”
Childbirth. Life was truly never the same. Sharing time and space and love with a new little person in your life can be challenging, but not unattainable. It can be emotional, but I worked at being grounded. And when the second, third and fourth were born, I may have taken on a CEO type roll so the household could run somewhat smoothly, but would never lack in love.
What do you do when you don’t know what to do?
I pivot. Do something else. Keep the mind active and the solutions will come. No one should be expected to have the all answers at any specific time… I don’t know but I will find out, or it will come to me later, or let me research.
What would you do if you had the whole day to yourself?
A whole day. What an amazing concept. Maybe take in a foreign film, do some shopping… I already do a lot of jogging, tennis and yoga, but maybe squeeze in another session. And I would also go in the archives of Hadassah and check out recordings of great programming I have missed. That eliminates sleeping, but for a good cause!
What is the best thing about being a woman?
Being a woman is all encompassing. I feel we have such capacity for Tikun Olam. Women’s intuition? That used to be commonly said… maybe it seems sexist, but we are definitely not men in skirts. Women have a can-do spirit mixed with a feminine approach. Hard to describe but you know it when you feel it. One day this country will finally view a woman president as a normal occurrence, speedily in our days.
What is the one piece of clothing you cannot live without?
I used to love shopping. The pandemic quieted it for a while. But what is important even here in Florida is anything black. No matter what the occasion, black pants, dress, sweater, shoes paired with any other color, sets the tone. In leadership roles, it does not have to be a somber, serious or “I’m in charge” look, but one that says, “I am respectful of the situation.” And as it goes with almost anything, it has versatility and flexibility, just like being an officer in Hadassah.
What does Hadassah’s slogan “the power of women who DO” mean to you?
This means that women exert a certain power, or influence, that resonates. We are at the forefront of making positive change in Israel and America. We fund important research at our hospitals and promote changes that benefit women and families in medicine and in society here. When presented with a request or challenge, we say, “here we are.”
What does Alembika’s “I am the source” Spring-Summer 2022 campaign mean to you?
The source means the beginning of something, the start, initiating the flow. The campaign is initiating something, very much in tune with our slogan, “Women Who Do.” Therefore we make a great team!
What makes you passionate about Hadassah?
Supporting the State of Israel has been a passion for me since I took part in the first Walk for Israel in Boston in the early 1970’s. It was a natural step to get involved with Hadassah soon after. Hadassah and Israel, hand in hand.
