WIZO recognises women who do good

WIZO (Women’s International Zionist Organisation) Johannesburg held its 107th annual general meeting via Zoom on 4 March 2021 with Joceline Basserabie in the chair.

Rabbi Ryan Goldstein gave a meaningful dvar torah, linking the parsha of the week with the worth of women who do so much good.

World WIZO President Esther Mor and World WIZO chairperson Anita Friedman gave short addresses from Israel. Newly-elected WIZO South Africa President Shelley Friedman spoke about the vital work of WIZO in the future.

Benji Shulman, the director of public policy at the South African Zionist Federation (SAZF), spoke about the valuable work done by the SAZF and the historic links it has with WIZO. Bev Goldman, the national president of the Union of Jewish Women, brought a goodwill message from the Combined Jewish Women committee.

Basserabie presented the chairman’s report on behalf of co-chairpersons Nava Gonen and Anat Shevel, and Janine Rabbie presented the treasurer’s report, both reflecting the difficulties of a year of COVID-19, with hope for a better year ahead. Basserabie thanked Lauren Phillips for her hard work as organising secretary over the past year with all its challenges.

A video was shown of Neve WIZO, WIZO South Africa’s special project, which consists of five cottages, five sets of house parents, and 40 youth who cannot live in their home environments. They receive physical, emotional, and scholastic mentoring from a team of dedicated social workers, psychologists, therapists, and tutors.

Alex Azerad, social worker at Neve WIZO, described some of the challenges that the children faced during lockdown away from their homes, with added restrictions imposed by COVID-19.

Award certificates were presented to Andrea Wainer, Kim Wainer, Andy Schwartz, and Evelyn Furman for their huge contribution to WIZO over the past year.