Faye L. Schenk (August 17, 1909 – August 17, 1981) was an American Zionist activist and leader.[1] She was the president of Hadassah (American Zionist Federation) from 1968 to 1972.[1] She was also the president of the American Zionist Federation from 1974 to 1978.[2]
Schenk was born in Des Moines, Iowa, to Naphtali Herz Zeichik and Rebecca (Zeichick).[3] Schenk received her bachelor's and master's degrees in genetics from Drake University.[1] [3]
Schenk married Rabbi Max Schenk in 1933.[1] For ten years between 1939 and 1949, she and her husband, Rabbi Max Schenk, lived in Australia.[3] During her time in Australia, Schenk was active in the Women's International Zionist Organization.[3] On the couples return to live in New York City, Schenk started becoming much more active in Hadassah.[3] She originated the New York chapter located in the Washington Heights area.[3] During her time in the Hadassah organization Schenk at one time held every major office there.[3] [4] She subsequently held the office of national president from 1968 to 1972.[3] While she was the president, Hadassah began to start the restoration and rebuilding of its hospital at Mount Scopus.[3] Faye Schenk testified at US Congressional committee meetings so that Hadassah could receive a five million dollar (USD) grant, in order to be used for the rebuilding of the hospital at Mount Scopus in Jerusalem.[5] Schenk moved to Israel in 1978.[3]
In September 1970, Schenk survived the El Al airplane hijacking.[3] Schenk said about the incident, “Life owes me nothing more. I owe life everything.”[3]
The Hebrew Union College–Jewish Institute of Religion gave the honorary degree of doctor of humane letters to Schenk in 1974.[3]
Schenk had a heart attack and died in Israel on August 17, 1981.[1] [2] [6] She was buried in Jerusalem on the Mount of Olives.[3]