WIZO Florida

  Mercedes Ivcher-Founding President-WIZO USA  

WIZO’s 90th Anniversary

Thank you Deputy Consul General of Israel, Mr. Paul Hirschon, for welcoming us so warmly and with a such a short time notice. Thank you for taking from your busy schedule to receive us.

It is for me an honor and a privilege to be here today, specially under Israel’s roof, here in the Consulate of Israel in Miami ,with all my colleagues, in the name of WIZO, The Women International Zionist Organization, to officially open the celebrations of it’s 90th Anniversary.

Let me tell you a little bit of history: WIZO was born 90 years ago, in London by Lady Rebeca Sieff, Vera Weissman, Edith Eder, Romana Gudman and Henrietta Irwell. I can assure you they would have being very proud of all of us, that after 90 years, all the Federations all over the world including Israel, are celebrating this milestone .

Simultaneously when Wizo was founded in London, it was established in Jerusalem under the Federation of Hebrew women and under the auspices of Wizo, by Dr. Helen Kagan, the first TIPAT HALAV, mother and child pediatric clinic. Wizo established the first school of sewing and home economics in Tel Aviv, the first agricultural training farm in Nahalal Yehuda for boys and girls and the first boarding agricultural school for girls in Nahalal where the first boy that was admitted was General Moshe Dayan and where we have our sport center for the handicaps thanks to the Rohr Family.

Today, we have 800 projects, we are partners with the State of Israel, to better our Israeli society. We Wizo USA one of the newest federations, we are 28 years old and very proud to say that we started Wizo USA here in Miami from day one. We have here today with us one of the founders, Rosita Retelny, Vice President of Wizo USA. and one year later we opened the young chapter Yonit, that was chaired by Jana Falic with her friends and I can say that I feel very fortunate that Jana is today the new Wizo USA co-President.

The goals of Wizo’s founders remain as relevant today as they were in 1920. Concurrently Wizo keeps pace with changing times, diversifying and adapting activities, raising social awareness of women’s rights in Israel, providing shelters for battered women and promoting them in politics, exemplify Wizo’s success in meeting the needs of the hour.

Wizo strives with love and devotion to increase Jewish and Zionist identity amongst women all over the world; members on every continent are a torch of continuity, tradition, history and the legacy of the Jewish people throughout the ages. Our dedication and love for Israel, comes from our mothers and grandmothers. We are fifth or sixth generations of Wizo, they taught us to love this vibrant Jewish and Democratic State of Israel, a source of inspiration, leadership and moral example for the world.

May HASHEM bless all our leaders in Israel and around the world.
Let us have the strength and the commitment to continue educating thousands and thousands of children and youngsters.
Let us pray for our big children, our soldiers.
Let us pray for the State of Israel and for the whole world.
 

TO ALL PRESIDENTS/CHAIRPERSONS OF WIZO FEDERATIONS

My dear chaveroth,

600 Excited Boy and Girls from WIZO Israel Branches throughout the country converge on the Western Wall to celebrate their Bar/Bat Mitzvah.

These children come from one parent families, families in distress, immigrants and families from Ethiopia and the Former Soviet Union, and all took part in a full day of activities, organized by WIZO Israel in honor of WIZO’s 90th anniversary.

Whilst the country was glued to the media, absorbing every morsel of information regarding the hostile flotilla of 6 ships that were determined to enter Gaza despite every effort by the IDF to dissuade them, including offers to pass on their ‘humanitarian’ aid to the people of Gaza, 1200 children including their parents, members of their family and guests were headed to Jerusalem, Israel’s capital and the heart of Judaism, their spirits high and full of expectancy.

They were joined by Mrs. Helena Glaser, President of World WIZO, Mrs. Tova Ben-Dov, Chairperson World WIZO Executive, Mrs. Yochy Feller, Chairperson WIZO Israel, Mrs. Atara Ilani, Treaurer, Mrs. Esther Mor, Chairperson Fundraising Dept. and co-Chairman ‘Friends of WIZO’, Mrs. Sylvie Pelosoff, Chairperson Organisation & Education Dept., Mrs. Gila Cohen, Chairperson Human Resources Div., Mrs. Betty Crystal, co-chairman ‘Friends of WIZO’ and co-Chairman World WIZO Council, members of ‘Friends of WIZO’, visitors from the WIZO Federations of Chile, Brazil, UK and Germany, members of Executive of World WIZO and WIZO Israel, friends and WIZO Israel volunteers.

The children were no strangers to hardships. They come from homes that struggle on a day to day basis to put food on their table, and to set them on their path to the future. They represent the miracle of Israel’s mass absorption of immigrants from all over the world, who came impoverished, many being catapulted into the 21st century within a short period of time. They represent families who have witnessed violence. They represent the future of Israel.

Each boy and girl who lives in Israel enjoys the freedom to be Jewish, to celebrate Festivals and rejoice in our heritage, but not all are able to celebrate their Bar/Bat Mitzvah, their coming of age.

It is a landmark in Jewish life, when boys are called up to the Torah, and is usually followed by a celebration, which signals the hopes and dreams of the family and friends for the future of the newly emerging Jewish adult. However many families or single parents are unable to provide this basic rite, and it is here, ever since the establishment of the State of Israel, that WIZO branches from all around the country, have stepped in. Following a year of study and experiences around their Jewish history and religion, thousands of girls and boys enjoy a Bar/Bat Mitzvah celebration, organized by WIZO volunteers, just like every other Jewish boy and girl around the world.

This year, when marking the WIZO’s 90th anniversary, Yochy Feller, Chairperson of WIZO Israel, with the support of the World WIZO Executive, and the ‘Friends of WIZO’, founded by Esther Mor and Betty Crystal, decided to hold a mass celebration in Jerusalem for 600 boys and girls, from all around the country. The logistics were mind boggling, but it would be an experience to remember, not just for the celebrants, but also for WIZO volunteers, who work hard throughout the year, to make a better life for the underprivileged in Israeli society. With the generous help of Mrs. Jana Falic, co-President of WIZO USA and her husband Simon Falic, Rabbi Lipskar and the Shul of Bal Harbour, and the Gazit Globe Group, headed by Mr. Haim Katzman, this dream was turned into a reality.

The children were divided according to their towns and were showered with gifts. Boys received A Sidur, Tefillin and Tallit and a bag of goodies. Girls received a gold necklace with a Magen David and candlesticks and each participant was presented with certificates from WIZO and Western Wall Foundation. Each group took part in a different tour around Jerusalem and the 28 busses, displaying the WIZO logo and the excited children, wearing white WIZO hats and shirts, with their parents and families, toured around Jerusalem, for some this was their first time in the capital city.

Following the tours, each bus arrived at the Kottel, the Western Wall, and the excited children, eyes filled with wonder, drank in the atmosphere around them. The boys gathered around individual tables, and were warmly received by members of the Western Wall Foundation, who lovingly helped them to put on their Tefillin for the first time. Some of the boys wound their tefillin around their arms with confidence, some were shaking, all were absorbed in the moment in which they were taking joint responsibility for their people. Proud mothers, some with tears in their eyes, watched their children, Yehoshua from Belarus, one of four children, with a father who often left the home unattended, Sima, explaining the whole ceremony to her son in sign language, Orah in traditional Ethiopian dress staring with wonderment at the whole situation, and one child after another saying ‘Shema Yisrael’, the prayer that has accompanied our people throughout the ages.

When each boy had put on Tefillin, and the girls received certificates, there was a procession towards the Kottel, where the Torah was read, and songs were sung.

Particularly poignant was the mass prayer for the youth, and a special prayer for our soldiers, that were recited in front of the ancient stones of the Kottel.

The celebrants crossed over to the amphitheatre, at the back of the Western Wall and following an opening of drums and the peals of shofars (ram’s horns) everyone stood up and sang the Hatikvah. It was a powerful moment, and words cannot do justice to the beauty and the enormous impact on the children in the overwhelming ambiance of the surroundings, opposite the Temple Mount, and with the beautiful hills of Jerusalem in the background. A delicious meal, which is a ‘must’ at every Bat/Bar Mitzvah celebration, was served and enjoyed by the children, parents, families and all WIZO volunteers and guests.

Yochy Feller, the Chairperson of WIZO Israel, and the initiative behind the event, spoke to the hearts of the Bar/Bat Mitzvah celebrants. ‘This morning, you left your homes as children, and now you are adults. Until now, you have been led, now it is up to you to take the lead. You are a powerful force, spread your wings and use that power’.

Mrs. Feller thanked Mrs. Helena Glaser, President of World WIZO and Mrs. Tova Ben Dov, Chairperson World WIZO Executive, for their support and welcomed World WIZO representatives from abroad,. She thanked Jana Falic, co-President WIZO USA, and her husband Simon Falic, Rabbi Lipskar and the Shul of Bal Harbour, Haim Katzman, Esther Mor, Betty Crystal, members of ‘Friends of WIZO’ and Irit Levy, who was the power behind the organization.

Shmuel Shriki, one of the parents from Karmiel, thanked WIZO Israel for organizing the wonderful day, for the gifts, and ended by saying, ‘It is through you, in WIZO, that our children do have equal opportunities, and as parents, we will always remember this special day, and know that we have someone to turn to’

A boy and girl from Azur, on behalf of all the children, parents and families, gave thanks to each and everyone who had taken part in the organization of this special day.

Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz, the Rabbi of the Western Wall, congratulated WIZO on its 90th anniversary, and thanked Mrs. Jana Falic, who is a devoted supporter of the activities of the Foundation of the Western Wall, and had done so much to make it all happen. ‘This Bar/Bat Mitzvah celebration is the link between the Jewish people and their heritage. Tefillin have been used since the time of the giving of the Torah and candlesticks reminds us that at any time, but especially as Shabbat descends, a Jewish woman can pray for anything she desires. This will not be a one time event, but a continuation in the chain of the Jewish people. WIZO stands by you and will be with you all the way’.Shai Gabso, a popular singer, entertained the gathering.

Rabbi Metzger, Chief Rabbi of Israel said, ‘You have spent a day immersed in Judaism, surrounded by old stones, now you are at the kottel, the core of Judaism, look at the walls behind you and think how many stories they can tell. Thanks to WIZO you have Tefillin and Candlesticks, don’t put them in the cupboard, let them protect you. Today our soldiers have done everything possible to protect life, not to destroy it, that is the Jewish way.

The atmosphere was one of pure joy and excitement, spontaneous song and dance, and an aura of love surrounded each child and his or her parents. As the rest of the world was condemning Israel, here, our children, were being spiritually strengthened with WIZO’s education and values. We cannot promise what these children’s’ future holds but we can ensure that they are equipped morally, spiritually and knowingly, to face every eventuality.

May God bless the children and their families, and all those who helped make this day into a reality.

I know that when reading this report, you will all be as moved as I was when I attended this outstanding memorable ceremony.

Affectionately yours,

Tova Ben-Dov
Chairperson World WIZO Executive