OpEds
Worldwide WIZO sisterhood in Israel in 2019
One hundred Women’s International Zionist Organisation (WIZO) leaders from across the globe assembled in Israel last month for the 2019 Meeting of Representatives. This week-long event expresses solidarity and support for the work WIZO does to advance all sectors of society in Israel. It sets the policies for the coming year in WIZO’s 800 institutions, projects, and programmes, and offers an excellent opportunity to share ideas.
MOONYEEN CASTLE
Hailing from more than twenty countries, the delegates in Israel for the five-day conference visited WIZO schools and youth villages, and attended panels and sessions related to this year’s theme, Innovation and Renewal.
For the first time, Ireland has representation, adding another group of WIZO women to the organisation’s worldwide network.
As is traditional, the WIZO meeting concluded with former WIZO United States Co-President Jana Falic graciously hosting a festive closing event for participants. The “surprise guest” was none other than American-Jewish comedian and pro-Israel activist Roseanne Barr, who spoke warmly of her admiration for WIZO’s important work. The evening continued with a festive meal, and lively singing and dancing in an expression of WIZO’s worldwide sisterhood.
World WIZO Chairperson Professor Rivka Lazovsky summed up the week’s events. She emphasised that the fact that hundreds of women from around the world came to Israel reflects the organisation’s ability to cope with the disturbing phenomena of the de-legitimisation of Israel around the world. Lazovsky said she felt confident that WIZO would continue to be a force for improving the lives of people in Israel for years and years to come.
27 January is annual International Holocaust Remembrance Day, designated by the United Nations to commemorate the tragedy of the Holocaust.
The number of survivors is getting smaller every year, but their stories and testaments live on in collective Jewish and global memories. WIZO makes it its duty to support WIZO members and their families who survived the Holocaust. We honour the memory of WIZO members who perished; and we pay tribute to the WIZO federations and members who worked courageously to save Jews during World War II, and who helped displaced survivors after the war. Am Israel chai (the Jewish nation lives) – better and stronger than ever.
WIZO Johannesburg hosted a fantastic Christmas party at Sithandiwe Disabled Care Centre last December, whereupon the organisation discovered that the kitchen staff needed assistance with preparing food for the children, who have special dietary requirements. In January, WIZO partnered with Magimix, which generously donated one of its food processors to the care centre. This will help to improve the quality of life of the children in immeasurable ways.
It is the time of year when many annual general meetings of organisations are held, and new committees formed. WIZO wishes all incoming leadership and their committees success in 2019.