Throughout history, personal letters have provided windows into the times, places and hearts of their authors. For Evelyn Seltzer, letters from granddaughter Mia Seltzer Perlman during an academic year in Israel from 2011—2012 offered a link to the heritage they share.
Among the most touching passages to Evelyn is Mia's description of a school for children with special needs:
We took a tour, and this place is amazing ... The whole thing looks absolutely fantastic for kids. We had a sort-of interview, and we all start volunteering the first Sunday in November ... and even though I'm very nervous, I can't wait.
Evelyn holds the letter in her hands. "It's tremendously gratifying that this young woman, just 19 years old, has such wonderful values and has a chance to be in Israel and fulfill her ideals. She was doing good for somebody who needed extra care, and she was very happy doing it."
From One Generation to Another
Mia's heart reminds Evelyn of the one she saw in her own mother when the two of them traveled to Hadassah's Jubilee Convention in Atlantic City in 1937. There her mother impressed upon young Evelyn the importance of being actively involved in making the world a better place.
Evelyn took her mother's words to heart, eventually serving the Lower New York State Region as vice president, organizing its Keepers of the Gate and Chai Society in the mid-1990's, and traveling to conventions with daughters Susan and Amy.
Now a resident of Boca Raton, Florida, Evelyn raises funds as president of the Geula-Atid chapter. A member of the Legacy Society, she has established five charitable gift annuities with Hadassah and most values the organizations commitments to medicine, saving children in Europe and preparing young people for careers.
"Through Young Judaea camps and clubs, I've seen children become leaders. It happened to me and to my daughters, and it makes me so proud. I'm not always as strong as I used to be, but when I'm doing something for Hadassah, I couldn't be happier."
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