Keepers of the Gate hold ‘ritzy’ tea
By ALAN SMASON
It was tea time last Sunday, June 7, at the swank Ritz-Carlton Hotel for the Greater New Orleans chapter of Hadassah, the women’s Zionist organization. Other than major donors, the most celebrated group of annual contributors to the work of this 100-year-old organization are the Keepers of the Gate, a select group of ladies who contribute a minimum of $1,000 per year.
Patti Ungar, left, and daughter and co-chair Evette Ungar welcome Bonnie Boring. (Photo by Alan Smason)
Approximately 25 Keepers of the Gate attended the Ritz-Carlton Sunday tea at the elegant M Bistro on the third floor. Several ladies came in from the Baton Rouge chapter, several from the Northshore and the chapter president from Cleveland, CCJN advertising and marketing director Arlene Wieder also joined in the tea. They were all treated to a speech from Bonnie Boring, the Southern region vice-president for program from Knoxville. Boring is expected to take over as president when current president Lee Kansas’ term expires next year.
Event chair Patti Ungar and her co-chair and daughter Evette welcomed Keepers of the Gate and invited them to enjoy a libation of champagne or Mimosas before the tea service began.
“I enjoy meeting outspoken women who give of their time and their money and I really appreciate that,” said Patti Ungar at the beginning of the tea. “I’m amazed at all the things that Hadassah does.”
Small sandwiches were served along with three varieties of tea including English Breakfast, traditional oolong and Parisian tea with caramel flavoring. Delicious chocolate and other desserts were served as the fitting piece de reistance to the elegant afternoon.”
“Why are we always in the news?” Boring posited in her address to the ladies. “Because we are constantly first in medical technology!”
The most recent advance was the recent dedication in October of the new Sarah Wetsman Davidson Tower in Jerusalem that cost a purported $363 million. Almost all of this money was raised from Hadassah sources, many of them Keepers of the Gate.
Depending on their commitment, Keepers of the Gate wear special “David’s Harp” jewelry pieces of either sterling silver or 14-karat gold. After five years of contributions their names are placed on special gates of honor at the Hadassah Hospital Ein-Karem.
Southern region president Lee Kansas and Greater New Orleans chapter Julie Schwartz concluded the event, each taking time to welcome their guest and to thank them for their monetary contributions and loyalty to Hadassah.
