“A Cause for Applause” celebrates Meredith E. Drench, PhD, PT, Hadassah leader

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“Come on along and listen to the lullaby of Broadway....”

It’s only fitting that the Rhode Island Chapter and the Western New England Region of Hadassah, the Women’s Zionist Organization of America, have selected “42nd Street” as the choice of entertainment for the fundraiser honoring the memory and the scholarship of Meredith E. Drench, PhD, PT, organization’s past president. Based on Drench’s friends’ descriptions of her, it’s safe to say that the late leader would have found the musical choice appropriate. After all, the story is a razzle-dazzle number about a plucky chorus girl who saves the show.

It’s hard not to notice the parallels here – Drench herself was a vivacious speaker who knew how to get her message across while entertaining the public with wit and humor. Reminiscing about her friend and colleague, Monika Curnett, co-chair of the event, says, “Merry was one of the funniest people. No matter what the subject, she made sure that everybody was laughing as well as getting the very important information that she wanted to put forth.”

Drench was a second-generation Life Member of Hadassah, a Founder and a Keeper of the Gate. Besides her role as president, Drench’s positions at the organization included membership on the National Board of Directors of Hadassah. Her pursuits outside of Hadassah were filled with meaning as well. A lecturer in physical therapy, Drench worked with healthcare facilities, associations, agencies and universities. Author of numerous articles and co-author of three editions of “Psychosocial Aspects of Health Care,” she also wrote “Red Ribbons Are Not Enough” – a book about health professionals who care for people with AIDS.

With Drench’s approval, the Western New England Region of Hadassah has established a Merry Drench scholarship at Hadassah Academic College to honor her commitment to Zionism and to celebrate her achievements. Describing Drench as the smartest and most giving woman she’s ever known, Curnett says, “What she’s given not only to the Jewish community, but nationally and internationally, is extremely impressive. It is our great privilege to be able to honor her memory and what we hope will be an ongoing theatrical event because Merry absolutely loved the theater, especially musicals.”

Curnett’s co-chair, Barbara Portney, echoes those sentiments, “When she died, I knew I wanted to do something special that included three important things to her – Hadassah, education and musical theater. She knew every song from almost any play.” When Portney visited the Ocean State Theatre Company, she knew right away that it was the perfect place for “A Cause for Applause,” the musical fundraiser for the scholarship fund.

Curnett is certain that the event will be successful because Drench was very well known in the Jewish, the medical and the intellectual communities. She says, “I hope this will be our first of many yearly theatrical events to honor my friend Merry Drench.” The show will take place on Sunday, May 4, 2014, at 2 p.m. at the Ocean State Theatre in Warwick. A reception will follow the performance.

Those who would like to make sure that Drench’s cause stays “in the money” can send a donation to The Meredith Drench Scholarship Fund at Hadassah Academic College. The organizers ask that you make checks payable to Hadassah and mail them to Rhode Island Hadassah, 122 Nanci Karen Drive, Warwick, R.I. 02886-8627.