Faye Schenk

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Faye L. Schenk (August 17, 1909 – August 17, 1981) was an American Zionist activist and leader. She was born in Des Moines, Iowa, and earned bachelor's and master's degrees in genetics from Drake University. In 1933 she married Rabbi Max Schenk. The couple lived in Australia from 1939 to 1949, where she worked with the Women’s International Zionist Organization. After returning to New York City, she became active in Hadassah, founded its New York Washington Heights chapter, and eventually held every major Hadassah office, including national president from 1968 to 1972. As Hadassah president, she helped oversee the rebuilding of Mount Scopus Hospital in Jerusalem.

Beyond Hadassah, Schenk led broader Zionist efforts. She served as president of the American Zionist Federation from 1974 to 1978, co-chaired Keren Hayesod–United Jewish Appeal, and was vice-chair of the National Council of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee. She also served on the boards of Hebrew University and the Jewish Agency.

She survived the Dawson’s Field hijacking in September 1970 and later said, Life owes me nothing more. I owe life everything. Hebrew Union College/Jewish Institute of Religion awarded her an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters in 1974. Schenk moved to Israel in 1978 and died of a heart attack there on August 17, 1981; she was buried on the Mount of Olives.