The 85^th anniversary of World WIZO was celebrated in a festive occasion in the President’s Residence, in the presence of Israeli President Moshe Katzav and his wife Gila Katzav.

The moving event was moderated by World WIZO President Helena Glaser, who officially opened the 85^th anniversary year celebrations and greeted all of those who carry on the work in Israel and around the world.

The official ceremonial hall in the President’s Residence was totally filled by the members of the World WIZO Executive, headed by World WIZO Executive Chairperson Tova Ben-Dov, and the Presidents of 27 WIZO Federations from around the world and members of WIZO executives in Israel and the world. 

Also present at the moving occasion were World WIZO Honorary Life President Michal Modai, WIZO Israel Chairperson Yochy Feller and Yehudit Plotkin, the Director of the Authority for the Advancement of Women in the Prime Minister`s Office.

Helena Glaser began by saying that the fact of holding the occasion in Jerusalem, in the presence of the President of the State of Israel, with the participation of WIZO leaders from around the world was very symbolic, and it gave state recognition to WIZO as a significant and valued international women`s movement.

"The fact that we are gathered here today would not have occurred were it not for the historic declaration of the establishment of the WIZO movement on July 11^th, 1920, in London, in the course of the conference of leading Zionist women like Rebecca Sieff and Vera Weizmann, who was eventually to become the First Lady as the wife of the first President of Israel.  Already in those days those women,  and first and foremost Rebecca Sieff the founder, the guiding spirit and the first President of World WIZO, understood the need to create a women`s movement which would act to strengthen the society that was crystallizing in Eretz Israel, and to strengthen the ties with World Jewry.  The vision that was defined 85 years ago is still valid today.  Throughout the years WIZO has been characterized by its dynamism and its ability to adapt its activity to the needs of the hour. Its leaders were always aware of the needs of the people of Israel, and they always acted in accordance with what was necessary and required.  WIZO has always been an integral part of the life of the society and people of Israel.

Rebecca Sieff`s vision to care for children and women is the foundation upon which WIZO has been built, layer upon layer.  We value and preserve our history, but we are facing the future.  WIZO`s activity, which has been renewed and expanded over the years, is based upon the vision of the founders, and the continuity gains expression from the fact our work and services are needed today more than ever.

Zionist visionary Achad Ha`am concluded his essay "Past and Future" with the words "the strength of the nation is rooted in the past and geared towards the future."  The complete essence of every nation or organization is judged by its ability to unite its memories of the past with its desires for the future.  Thus the 85 years of WIZO`s activity are the basis for our activity in the years to come.

World WIZO Executive Chairperson Tova Ben-Dov also greeted all of those gathered at the ceremony, and she said that the women present were the parliament of the WIZO movement in Israel and around the world.

"The chaverot who raise with pride the banner of Zionism, Jewish heritage and tradition, and their love and support for the State of Israel and WIZO, are a role model for Jewish women throughout the world.  WIZO is a movement which is constantly on the move, and it constantly adapts itself to the changing needs of Israeli society.  WIZO at 85 is a flourishing movement which is constantly expanding and providing  answers for the needs of Israeli society.

Given the conditions prevailing in our country, WIZO Israel is focusing its efforts on the struggle against violence in the family, in schools and public places. The advancement of the status of women and their empowerment are at the heart of our activity.  Within the framework of that activity, WIZO initiates laws in the Knesset and maintains four schools for women`s leadership.

One of WIZO`s main goals is to strengthen the weaker links within Israeli society, and we do this in WIZO`s day care centers, schools and youth villages, in our youth and community centers.  And one more vitally important area of our activity is our work to strengthen the ties between Israel and the Jewish communities around the world.  We in Israel have no future without our brothers and sisters in the Diaspora, and the Jewish communities around the world have no future without us.  This mutual guarantee and support, the sisterhood/brotherhood and shared Jewish identity, are the key to eternal existence.

We are extremely grateful, your honor the President, that you agreed to host us here.  This visit will remain engraved in all of our hearts for many days and years to come."

Following the greetings, singer Shulamit Aharoni sang some beautiful songs and she invited Helena Glaser and Michele Vogel, the Chairwoman of WIZO.uk, to receive on behalf of the World WIZO Executive from the President a certificate in honor of the 85^th anniversary of the founding of WIZO and its mother Federation, the British Federation.

The dignified occasion concluded with the President of Israel`s warm greeting to WIZO and its work.  This is what he said:

President Moshe Katzav in Honor WIZO’s 85^th Anniversary

I’m very happy to greet the WIZO movement on its 85^th anniversary.

85 years of WIZO activity are years filled with important achievements in the life of the organization, in the life of the Zionist movement, the Jewish people and the State of Israel.

The Jewish women in Great Britain who raised the banner understood that a people returning to its homeland needs pioneers that pave the roads, drain the swamps, make the dessert bloom and confront the security needs – but it also needs to help women and children, who are an essential part of Zionist fulfillment, an integral part of the pioneering and settlement activity in Eretz Israel. 

From its very first days, the Women’s International Zionist Organization was a full partner in the building of a Jewish home for the Jewish people in Eretz Israel.

The WIZO women always saw beyond the horizon.

These have been 85 years of activity for women and children in Eretz Israel, for senior citizens and new immigrants, for the strengthening of Jewish communities throughout the Diasopora and the reinforcing of the bridge between the Jews of the world and the State of Israel.

I am happy to see here the WIZO representatives from around the world, to see you together with us today.  You are a part of the leadership of the Jewish people.  WIZO is an ongoing partner with us in the building and development of the State of Israel and a partner in the fulfillment of the historic dream of the Jewish people in realizing the Zionist vision.

The pioneering, volunteer spirit is based upon the values that stood at the foundation of the Zionist movement and the transition from life in exile to a sovreign, Jewish and democratic state.

The image of Zionism – in the pre-state yishuv period and after the establishment of the state – is composed of a mozaic of people of work, vision and defense - and the faces of WIZO women, who have been integral part of the Zionist movement.  Thanks to WIZO, Israeli society has more quality, justice and humanity.

The broad dispersal of WIZO in 50 Federations throughout the world – bears witness to the power of the organization, its pioneering and voluntary spirit.  The sense of mission that beats in the hearts of WIZO women in Israel and around the world today is the same as it was in the first days of the movement.

The WIZO organization is the largest voluntary enterprise in Israel, and it is a role model for voluntary activity to help others.

The Zionist vision has not yet been completed, and Israeli society is still in the midst of being shaped and stabilized – the absorption of immigration, the integration of people from various backgrounds and the security problems – the confrontation with social problems – all of these things continue to be ongoing missions.

The values of Zionism and Judaism continue to be vital today.  It is true that the State of Israel is a modern, developed and advanced state, but it is still struggling for its existence and the preservation of its values.  Israeli society still needs the fulfillment of the Zionist vision, and the realization of Jewish values, which are universal human values.

WIZO’s aid to the needy is a source of inspiration, by way of its schools, nurseries and day care centers, youth clubs and parent homes, clubs for senior citizens and centers for family problems - spread throughout the country. The work of WIZO women is felt in every corner of Israel.

WIZO women have always known how to feel hardships, to reach out and touch them in a personal and human manner, which has meant so much in the lives of hundreds of thousands of people.  For all of that we owe WIZO a big thanks and appreciation.

I praise the WIZO movement for granting equality of opportunity to the children of Israel.  For your help in absorbing aliya, the new immigrants, which is a national goal, for your participation in the shaping of the image of Israeli society, for shaping the next generation, and for your struggle for women’s rights and their advancement in society.

I thank all the WIZO women from the founding of the organization in 1920 until today.

Thank you for always being there – and I’m sure that in the future, you will continue to be with us and to help in the ways that you know so well, to help the State of Israel in its confrontation with the challenges that are before us, in the fullfilment of our national desires and goals.

from www.wizo.org