WIZO Florida

Public Relations Department
38 David Hamelech Blvd.
Tel Aviv 64237 , Israel
Tel: 3-692-3729, Fax: 3-608-9240
Email: Brendak@wizo.org September 2010

Rosh Hashanah is the time when we gather together and pray for a sweet, healthy and peaceful New Year.
How important this is especially when we look back at this past year – one fraught with many challenges for Israel and the Jewish people. There can be no doubt that this was the year when anti-Semitism, coming in the guise of anti-Zionism, reached a new and frightening level. The campaign of BDS (boycott, divestment and sanctions) against Israel is ongoing with our Jewish students in the forefront of the battle against this verbal terrorism.

On the bright side, however, WIZO celebrated its 90th birthday with Federations worldwide marking this historic and joyful occasion. These ninety years reflect the tragedy and the triumph of our people - from the darkness of the Holocaust to the rebirth of the Jewish state. The WIZO story which began in 1920, just three years after the Balfour Declaration, is the story of Israel . WIZO, from its inception, has provided the human infrastructure of the State through its manifold activities nationwide.

WIZO especially prides itself on its education program serving every age group from babies to senior citizens. The Fuller Picture’s center pages reflect the significance of education – the manifold scientific and medical discoveries that emanate from this little land are simply breathtaking.

This edition shows that we are not alone in our Hasbara battle. Within the past two months Jose Maria Aznar, Prime Minister of Spain until 2004, together with a number of outstanding international personalities, has formed a “Friends of Israel” group with branches opening in a number of countries. Please read the article, written by Jose Aznar, that appeared in “The Times” UK newspaper**. It is a wonderful way to begin this year.

Wishing you everything you wish for yourself and your dear ones!
 

Brenda Katten
Chairperson
Public Relations Dept.
World WIZO
**(Please refere to our Blog section, article in Spanish)

Rosh Hashana Eve, September 2010

Dear Chavera,

May you enjoy a pleasant and joyful year,
A year of peace and good health
for you and your family.

With best wishes,

Sylvie Pelossof
Ahuva Koren, Raquel Dar and Briana Simon

Department of Organization and Education
World WIZO





We are pleased to announce that the September 2010 issue of the Lapid newsletter (No. 100), including two articles pertaining to the Jewish holidays, is now available online. You can reach it by clicking on Lapid 100.

Alternatively, you can see it by entering the World WIZO website www.wizo.org and clicking on “Media” (upper right), then on “Lapid Newsletter”. It is presently online in English, and in the coming week will appear in Spanish and afterwards in French.
 

Tel-Aviv, September 2010

WORLD WIZO – MEETING of REPRESENTATIVES – JANUARY 2011
TO: WORLD WIZO PRESIDENTS, CHAIRPERSONS AND HONORARY LIFE MEMBERS

Dear Chavera,

We are pleased to inform you that the 2011 World WIZO Meeting of Representatives
will take place from Monday, the 17th until Thursday the 20th (inclusive) of January 2011,
at the TEL-AVIV HILTON HOTEL, Hayarkon St. Tel: 03-5202222 Fax: 03-5224111.

Please note that the Presidents Meeting will take place already on Sunday,
the 16th of January 2011.

Prices for hotel accommodation are as follows:
Single room $ 190 per person per night, B/B
Double room $ 210 ( $ 105.- per person per night, B/B )
These prices are valid from Thursday the 113th of January until Sunday the 23th of January 2011.
Please note that business floor rooms are not available this year due to renovations.

Please send the attached registration form directly to the Hilton Hotel.

However, please notify the World WIZO Chairperson’s office of your attendance,
and specify arrival and departure dates.

Looking forward to hearing from you soon.

Wishing you all Shana Tova and Gmar Hatima Tova,

Lili Peyser
Chairperson
World WIZO Tourist Department

Cc: Tova Ben Dov, Chairperson, World WIZO Executive
 

26th August 2010.

Running Far with WIZO

Damasso Zagia, aged 19, national champion in long distance running, and a graduate of the dormitory in WIZO Nir Haemek, under the sponsorship of WIZO Argentina and WIZO USA, runs 20 meters each day in the fields of WIZO Nir Haemek. Damasso competes professionally in long distant races: 5 kilometers, 10 kilometers and a half marathon, and won a gold medal in a nationwide competition. He exercises every day, with a volunteer trainer. His professional running shoes were supplied by WIZO Nir Haemek, where he lives, and WIZO Nir Haemek is giving him every support. Damasso says, 'I want to reach the Olympics, I dream of walking around the stadium holding the Israeli flag'.

Damasso is a new immigrant from Ethiopia, who immigrated to Israel, alone, four years ago, and is learning, and living, at WIZO Nir Haemek, next to Afulla. The staff at the youth village encouraged him to do what he loved doing, and excels in – long distance running, at the same time as he was studying for his matriculation. According to Damasso 'This school only gives the best. Without their help I could not have got anywhere, not with shoes, nor apparatus, nor private coaching. Ivrit was hard for me, so they found me a private teacher. Whatever I asked for, I got – shoes, running gear, sweat suits. Every two months I need new shoes, which cost hundreds of shekels, because I run out in the field, where there are small stones. WIZO provided me with professional running shoes and other equipment, and I am very grateful to them, I will never forget it. The staff in the school are just looking for ways to help – they are just good people'.

Damasso's parents are separated, one lives in Bet Shemesh and the other in Haifa. He has ten brothers and sisters, and therefore has no financial backing to help him in life or with his training in the youth village, which is costly.

Not only is Damasso an excellent runner, he is also a very good pupil. He successfully obtained his matriculation certificate this year, after learning in the unique 'Police Academy', Sociology and Criminology, at WIZO Nir Haemek. At the same time, he was given the opportunity by the school, as all pupils from Ethiopia, to sit his matriculation examinations in the Amharic language, at five unit level. He was successful in the examination.

Esti Cohen, the Director General of WIZO Nir Haemek says, 'We have absorbed many new immigrants over recent years. We work with the children on raising their self image and their belief in themselves, as well as providing a homely, and supportive atmosphere, surrounded by a sensitive staff who make them feel a part of the dormitory. Individual programs are suited to the needs of each pupil'.

Tova Ben-Dov, Chairperson of the World WIZO Executive. 'WIZO is happy to have the opportunity to help Damasso and to be at his side during this long journey, each and every day, as he continues with his sport. We try and support and encourage every pupil. We give all the immigrant pupils, at WIZO Nir Haemek, special attention, ongoing and in depth, which is bringing results. Our schools specializes in nurturing our pupils, in small classrooms. Our learning methods are unique, and are specially suited to the pupils, some of whom are below average, providing them with extra learning hours, extra coaching and supervising and strengthening their individual talents such as music, sport and art. This investment costs a lot of money, but is worth it's weight in gold. They grow up into caring citizens, the pride of the State of Israel.'

The Gesher Project, is for graduates of the dormitory (over the age of 18), who lack support, both from the financial and the familial aspects. During the framework of the project, WIZO Nir Haemek enables these same girls and boys, to live in the youth village, up to the age of 25. They are looked after by a counselor and staff, who provide financial, familial, and emotional support.

Esti Cohen says, ' We are pleased that Damasso will continue living in WIZO Nir Haemek over the coming years, at the same time as he will serve in the IDF. His next competition will be on the 28th of September and we wish him lots of luck'.


















 

14th Av 5770
25th July 2010

To:
Members of the Zionist General Council and its Presidium

Shalom,

The new Zionist General Council was elected by the Zionist Congress which convened in Jerusalem in June this year.

I am honored to become the head of this esteemed body whose task, in accordance with the Constitution of the World Zionist Organization, is to engage in shaping WZO policy on matters and issues on the agenda of the Jewish people, and to hold dialogue with representatives from within Israeli society and Jewish communities around the world.

The Constitution of the World Zionist Organization also determines that in the period between sessions of the Zionist General Council, its Presidium shall represent the WZO in all matters relating to the role of the General Council as a body that deliberates on matters and issues on the agenda of the Jewish people.

I have no doubt that the formulation of these instructions in the Constitution of the World Zionist Organization expresses the importance of this legislative body and the imperative of their implementation, particularly insofar as they relate to items on the agenda of the Jewish people. No less important in this instance is the need to engage in a dialogue between ourselves and representatives of Israeli society and Jewish communities around the world. In so doing, we can enhance and empower the Zionist General Council's activity and bring its deliberations and decisions more closely into line with the Israeli/Jewish reality and their present needs.

For this purpose, I believe it is essential to engage in brainstorming with leading academics and public leadership from Israel and the Diaspora, and to present the outcomes of this process for discussion in order to formulate policy within the framework of the Presidium and the Zionist General Council at the June 2011 meeting.

I shall do everything I can, and this in consultative process with each and every one of you, in order to establish the Zionist General Council as an influential factor in the Zionist movement's leadership modality. This applies equally to the Council's activity in relation to Israeli society and Jewish communities around the world, to molding content appropriate to the principles of Zionism in a changing Jewish world, as well as to ensuring a productive cooperation with the Zionist Executive which is responsible, through the departments, for the implementation of the policy set down by the Zionist Congress and – in the inter-Congress period – by the Zionist General Council and its Presidium.

It remains but for me to thank everyone, in advance, for your cooperation, and to wish ourselves every success in fulfilling the responsibilities laid upon us, and in stabilizing the status of the Zionist movement and the Zionist Idea within Israeli society and the Jewish people, wherever they may be.

With my appreciation and warmest regards,

Helena Glazer


 

Erev Rosh Hashana, 5771
8th. September, 2010

To: Presidents and Chairpersons of all WIZO Federations:

Dear Chaveroth,

תכלה שנה וקללותיה, ותחל שנה וברכותיה

'Let this year end with its' curses
Let the new year begin with its' blessings' (from the Sages)

This year, as every other year, we stand together and try to put our troubles behind us, whilst looking forward to the future. It has not been an easy year. Throughout the world nature has reminded us not to underestimate her strength, and hundreds of thousands have fallen to mud slides, flooding, fires caused by high temperatures and earthquakes. The forces of evil, infiltrate into our 'enlightened' world, and, as throughout our history, the Jewish people are the first to suffer from the regression back into the dark ages of religious fanaticism. The world is also struggling with the aftermath of the financial crisis that shook many foundations during the last year, and stubbornly refuses to disappear.

But, before sinking into despair, and in spite of all our troubles, we are very blessed. Despite the world's bad press and its ongoing condemnations, the tourists, from all walks of life, keep arriving, fascinated by our small country, that refuses to give in to the Goliaths of the world. Our scientists continue to invent new medical procedures, our hi-tech start ups are being bought worldwide, our streets, markets, and real estate are all thriving. Just three weeks ago, Prof. Elon Lindenstrauss, was awarded the prestigious Fields Medal (the Nobel prize for mathematicians under 40 years old)for his complicated work in ergodic theory, a field of mathematics.

And we in WIZO, are celebrating the 90th anniversary of this wonderful enterprise that was set up by our mothers and grandmothers and has become an integral part of our Jewish state. We are a huge machine. The WIZO machine pumps out education to those who were not born into the most intellectual of environments, we pump values into those who have only seen neglect, crime and addiction, we pump out fresh air and new beginnings to

those who have been kept in a world of violence and fear, we pump Israeli culture into those who have come from the most backward of societies.
We pump and we pump. But like any machine, we need oil to keep our wheels turning, and you, in our federations, provide that oil, through your ongoing support and your never ending efforts to raise funds.

Sadly, following the global financial crisis, that flow of support is lessening, and our machine is groaning and creaking, as it tries to keep its wheels turning. Here in WIZO, we are having our own oil disaster, which, to us, is just as threatening as the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

Rosh Hashana gives us the opportunity to once again put our priorities into their correct perspective. How can we make the world a better place? How can we strengthen our beloved State of Israel? ……One child at a time……...

We cannot afford to stand aside, whilst global economics threaten all that we, and our ancestors, have worked for, and that so many rely upon. Now is the time to put a cap on the downward trend, join forces, put on our thinking caps, and pay tribute to our founding mothers, by duplicating their efforts and determination of ninety years ago, so that we can once again see the oil gushing into our WIZO machine.

Together, let us pray and look forward to a better year, a year in which the unity of our people reaches new heights, a year filled with peace and prosperity.

I wish you all a Shana Tova


Tova Ben-Dov
Chairperson World WIZO Executive
 

30th August 2010

TO ALL PRESIDENTS/CHAIRPERSONS OF WIZO FEDERATIONS

Dear Chaveroth,

Re: Registration to the MOR – meeting of Representatives
16 – 20 January 2011 at the Hilton Hotel, Tel Aviv

I hope that this letter finds you all well, and I am sure that you are in the midst of preparations for Rosh Hashana.

Thank you for confirming receipt of my letters asking you to ‘SAVE THE DATE’ for the 2011 MOR taking place between 16 – 20 January 2011. This annual meeting is a wonderful opportunity for our WIZO leaders to meet and discuss important matters pertaining to our WIZO projects, to our financial situation and to new ideas and working methods and I look forward to welcoming you all in January 2011.

Orna Ref, Director of the Tourist Dept. will send you all in a few days the registration forms for your rooms at the Hilton Hotel, which should be sent directly to the Hotel.

After Rosh Hashana, we shall send out more details regarding the contents of the MOR 2011, but in the meantime I ask you kindly to book your accommodation well in advance.

Please write to me directly confirming your attendance to the MOR and give the names of those authorized to attend from your Federation.

I look forward to hearing from you, and in the meantime, I send you my best personal good wishes for Rosh Hashana.

Affectionately yours,

Tova Ben-Dov, Chairperson World WIZO Executive