Hadassah New Orleans decides on Mask-erade fundraiser

With large face-to-face gatherings impossible and masking in public part of the current landscape, Hadassah New Orleans is adapting to the times with its annual fundraiser.

Unable to have an in-person event, the chapter instead is throwing a Virtual Mask-erade, and everyone is invited to the 4 p.m. virtual event on Oct. 18.

Mexican-Canadian singer-songwriter Monika Schwartzman will headline the event.

Chaired by Marcela Totah and Charisse Sands, the event will include a mask contest, with prizes given for the funniest and fanciest masks, as well as to children under 12, music and videos, and other surprises.

“The regional office has asked me if they can obtain the invitation, to share with other chapters in the Southern Region,” said President Briann Shear.

Any amount, starting at $18, gains entry to the Mask-erade. Donations may be sent to: Carrie Pailet, 215 W. Brooks St., New Orleans, LA 70124, and need to include an email so a Zoom link can be sent.

To participate in the contest, photos of participants modeling their masks can be sent here.

Born in Mexico City and later moving to Vancouver, Schwartzman’s passion for music developed at a very early stage in her life. She has performed in many different venues in Canada and Mexico, including various festivals such as Carnaval del Sol and Make Music Vancouver. One of her career highlights is being invited to compose and share her music for the first two seasons of the Mexican TV series “Bienes Raices” (“Real Estate”).

Schwartzman, whose music has a pop-acoustic sound with a Latin influence, hosted two radio shows in Mexico and was part of the cast of the musical “Spring Awakening” in Mexico City.

Schwartzman says, “I invite everyone to join me in my happy place. There is always light and always joy in every adventure, miracle, hard moment and in life itself.”

Proceeds from the event will help fund research and development projects at Hadassah. Currently, Hadassah is conducting research into Covid-19, stem cells, ALS, MS, macular degeneration, Alzheimer’s, diabetes, heart disease, cancer and liver disease.