There is a feeling you get when walking through the halls of our capitol buildings in Washington, D.C., that is hard to put into words. You feel the history. You feel the responsibility. And you feel the quiet realization that ordinary citizens have the ability to help shape what comes next.

Last month, I joined nearly 200 Hadassah leaders from across the country for Hadassah’s Day of Impact 2026. We met face to face with members of Congress and their staff, advocating for issues that matter deeply to our Hadassah community, including strengthening the US–Israel relationship, addressing the rise in antisemitism, protecting vulnerable communities and advancing research in women’s health.

What stood out most was how often we heard the same message: It matters that you are here in person. One congressional aide told us that meeting with constituents gives context to an issue that cannot be captured in an email or policy memo. She said, “When people take the time to come here, it tells us that this issue truly matters.”

Between meetings, I found myself walking alongside my Hadassah colleague and dear friend Stacey Dorenfeld, someone I first advocated with 10 years ago when we were Hadassah Leadership Fellows.

I still remember how unsure I felt during those early experiences, wondering whether I had enough knowledge or confidence to contribute meaningfully. Stacey, with her clarity of purpose and genuine passion, helped me see that advocacy is not about having every answer. It is about caring enough to show up and speak from the heart.

As we walked through the Capitol together again this year, we reflected on how much we had both grown. Stacey said something simple but powerful: “The issues may change, but the responsibility to speak up does not.” That conversation reminded me that advocacy is a journey. We learn from each other. We gain confidence together. And we continue showing up because the work matters.

The rise in antisemitism is not abstract for me. It feels deeply personal. Hearing almost daily about antisemitism incidents and violence in cities across the US and around the world is frightening. Places where Jews should feel safe — on college campuses, in synagogues, in pre-schools, in neighborhoods — are increasingly making headlines for the wrong reasons.

It is unsettling to see how quickly hateful rhetoric can generate real fear for people as they simply try to live their lives openly and proudly as Jews. Advocacy is not just about policy. It is about protecting the ability for all of us to live without fear and to feel secure in our communities.

Meeting with legislators from both sides of the aisle was encouraging. Despite the “noise” and division in media headlines, these conversations were thoughtful and respectful. There was a shared understanding that real dialogue still has value.

Advocacy is not reserved for policy experts or professional lobbyists. It belongs to all of us. It starts with caring about something enough to lend your voice.

There was a time when I felt unsure whether what I had to say would make a difference. Over time, I have come to realize that progress depends on people being willing to participate, even when they do not feel completely comfortable.

Through my work with Hadassah, I have grown in ways I never expected. Each step in my leadership journey has helped me move past personal insecurities and find the confidence to use my voice. The experience has truly been lifechanging. Hadassah has given so many women the ability to engage thoughtfully and constructively on issues that impact our communities and our future.

Participating in Hadassah’s Day of Impact 2026 was a reminder that democracy works best when people choose to be part of it. You do not need to be an expert to advocate. You simply need to care enough to show up.

Walking through the halls of Congress, I was reminded that our voices carry further than we think. Sometimes the most important step is simply deciding that what we have to say is worth saying. When we show up, we become not just witnesses to history. We participate in making history.

Michelle is a member of the Hadassah Writers’ Circle, a dynamic and diverse writing group for leaders and members to express their thoughts and feelings about all the things Hadassah does to make the world a better place. It’s where they celebrate their personal Hadassah journeys and share their Jewish values, family traditions and interpretations of Jewish texts. Hadassah members are proud of their Zionist mission and their role as keepers of the flame of Jewish values, traditions and beliefs as well as advocating for women’s empowerment and health equity for all. Since 2019, the Hadassah Writers’ Circle has published nearly 800 columns in The Times of Israel Blogs and other Jewish media outlets. Interested in writing? Please contact hwc@hadassah.org.

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