Women’s Stories – Chen Shohami Hadad
Last month we met with the women of the “Kumi” Project. Meeting them was both joyful and hopeful. Together, different women from different places and professions, but with a lot in common.
The project is headed by Chen Shohami Hadad. Chen is a mother of three who lives in the Gaza Envelope, a multitasker with many activities and achievements. This time we bring you an interview with her, about what motivates her, what her hopes are and how she sees our future as women here.
We find that Chen’s words inspire hope. We hope you will too.
Can you introduce yourself?
Nice to meet you! I am Chen Shochami Hadad, a minute before 40, married to Shai and mother of three amazing children: Shaked, Peleg and Gefen. I Live in Kibbutz Carmia in the Gaza Envelope.
Tell us about your work? What field do you come from?
For the past six months, I have been managing the “Kumi” project – a leadership and entrepreneurship program for women in the Western Negev. The project provides women with practical tools for promotion to key and influential positions, alongside the establishment and development of projects that contribute to the growth of the region.
I come from the business world. Until six months ago, I worked for the Estée Lauder group, in a variety of management, training and executive development roles. During the war, I found myself heavily involved in helping the community in employment and business, and the sense of satisfaction I gained from this work led me to the decision to seek a significant role in which I could contribute directly to the development of the Western Negev.
Happily, the opportunity to lead to “Kumi” project, and from the moment I saw the position, I connected with the vision, potential, and enormous impact of the project. I felt that I simply had to take on this challenge and make the best of it.
As part of my role, I am responsible for 11 groups operating throughout the Western Negev, in partnership with local authorities, group leaders, and external lecturers who come to deliver content. I work tirelessly to create partnerships that will strengthen the project and give it stability and growth.
I define myself as a “slasher” – alongside my role as the director of the “Kumi” project, I also promote employment and businesses in the Ashkelon Coast Regional Council, am responsible for the reception committee in my kibbutz, and in addition to all this – I am also a professional makeup artist. Makeup is my therapy, my passion, and it always reminds me how important it is to do things that you love
Where do you draw inspiration from?
My inspiration comes first and foremost from the women around me – brave, enterprising women, not afraid to dream and act for their future and their community. Especially from the women of “Kumi” – each of them brings a personal story, a strong desire to grow and influence, and a belief in their power to change. Seeing them grow is a tremendous sense of satisfaction that drives me forward.
I am always looking to take a small insight from every conversation, meeting or experience. I am also surrounded by a community of extraordinary women, like the Supersonas team, each of whom is a source of inspiration.
And I really love learning from others’ success stories. All of this gives me strength, motivation, and ideas to continue to initiate, lead, and develop my own path.
How do you start the process of creating a new project?
When I start a new project, I first spend time thinking about it alone with myself – trying to imagine the final product, think about the desired direction, and formulate a clear vision.
My best tip is to start right away. I believe that doing leads to better thinking, not the other way around. Planning is critical, but at the same time, sometimes there is a tendency to plan too much and wait for the perfect moment, which can lead to blowups. Therefore, I believe in an approach that combines planning with immediate action.
When I set out, I define clear goals: What do I want to achieve? How will I know the project has been successful? What is my vision? It gives me a clear compass along the way.
At first, it takes me a while to get things moving, and sometimes it feels like there is no progress. But then, in one moment – something moves, and I manage to take off from 0 to 100. That’s exactly the moment when motivation and energy arrive, and the project gains momentum.
What is your favorite part of the work process? Or your work day?
There are many parts that I love about my job, but above all – I love celebrating successes. It can be a personal success, like an idea that I managed to implement and yielded good results, and it can be the successes of the women in the “Kumi” project – the moment when they feel the impact of the program on their lives, step out of their comfort zone, make a positive change or expand their circle of influence.
Almost every evening, there are “Kumi” meetings, and just right after they end, at 9:00 PM, I am ready waiting for feedback in the WhatsApp groups. For me, this is the most satisfying moment – knowing that we touched so many women, that the meeting was meaningful to them and that we created a change, even the smallest one.
How did you meet Tal from iota? Tell us about the collaboration you initiated.
I met Tal a few months ago, when she came to tour the Gaza envelope as part of a group of leaders in the Peres Academic Center’s Executive Program. I came to talk about life in the Gaza envelope, about coping during the crisis, and about female leadership in challenging times.
During the conversation, I presented, “Kumi” project and the significant impact it has on many women. There was something about my story that touched Tal, who is herself connected to the world of women’s empowerment. After the tour, she contacted me and invited us to an event in iota to celebrate Woman’s Month together – a moving gesture that emphasizes the power of being connected as women.
How has the past year and the situation in Israel affected your work?
The change for me began during the evacuation period. After a short period of freezing, waiting for something to happen, I realized that I shouldn’t wait for “someone” to make the change for me – I’m the one who needs to take the initiative and shape a better future for myself.
Since then, I’ve been working non-stop and I see the fruits of my labor, and that’s exactly what drives me to keep going.
This period in time is challenging. Sleepless nights, difficulties and daily struggles with my personal family. But I do not allow myself to stop because of that. For me, it is a mission – it is my personal calling, and therefore I continue to act with all my might. And I am not alone – there are many women in “Kumi” who think and act in the same way. We understand that reality depends on us, and that we need to lead the change – in our family, community and in the entire region.
What else do you dream of achieving?
My dream is that “Kumi” project will grow to huge proportions, spread to other regions of the country, and significantly influence life in our country. I believe that women know how to lead, and that they should be seen in central roles at the centers of decision-making and influence.
My dream is to see more and more female leaders emerge from “Kumi,” and to see how reality changing ventures start under our umbrella, contributing to real change and growing a new generation of female leaders.
Tell us about something you learned from your grandmother. Something concrete is better (:
One of the things I learned from my late grandmother Esther is how to choose a husband. Ever since we were little, she would always sit with all her granddaughters and explain how we should choose a partner for a happy marriage. She always emphasized the three most important qualities in a partner: wisdom, diligence, and sensitivity. Grandma Esther had a great belief that the basis for a successful relationship is when the partner demonstrates these qualities.
I was lucky and found an amazing partner who met Grandma Esther’s criteria, and over the years, as I grew older, I realized how critical these qualities really are. I see how they are expressed on a daily basis and understand why they are so significant for a successful relationship. So anyone who is single and still looking for the one – listen to Grandma Esther’s words.
