ADEI-WIZO
Associazione Donne Ebree d'Italia - Woman's International Zionist Organization Italy
WIZO wins ISRAEL PRICE
Israel's Highest Award Reasons for the Prize
Some 50 members of the World WIZO and Israel WIZO Executives, and guests who came from abroad especially for the occasion, attended the annual Israel Prize awards ceremony in Jerusalem's Convention Center at the end of Independence Day to witness World WIZO president Helena Glaser receive the prize on behalf of WIZO.Mrs. Glaser said she felt that "all of our chaverot, our predecessors and founding mothers were standing on the stage with me when I received the prize on your behalf."2008 is a milestone year in WIZO's history and Israel's' 60th anniversary will indeed be a day to remember, bearing the ultimate gift for WIZO, its Federations and chaverot.
Receiving the Israel Prize is the highest recognition any Israeli individual or organization can aspire to. Receiving the prize on Israel's 60th anniversary makes the award, and the recognition that comes with it, even more important.
The Israel Prize is granted by the State of Israel to citizens or organizations that have displayed excellence in their field(s), or have made major contributions to Israeli culture. The winners are selected by committees of judges, who pass on their recommendations to the Education Minister. The prize is presented annually on Israeli Independence Day in a state ceremony in Jerusalem, in the presence of the President, the Prime Minister, the Speaker of the Knesset and the Supreme Court President.
The judges on the committee stated that the Israel Prize was awarded to the three women's organizations for "their efforts to promote gender equality and their struggle to promote humanitarian social, cultural and educational issues, while focusing on the central position of women in society and the need for equality between the sexes within Israeli society."
"The establishment of a network of early age day care centers enables young children to be educated within quality educational frameworks, and it enables their mothers to be integrated into the workforce."
The women's organizations "are an example of cooperation in the field of legislation and in providing legal advice to all women." They established "frameworks for the prevention of violence, and battered women's shelters." Their activities have enabled the State of Israel "to become one of the leaders in the world in the advancement of the status of women."
The members of the committee congratulated the women's organizations for their work on behalf of women, and also extended their congratulations to the thousands of volunteers who work in the organizations.
The 
prize was awarded to the three main women's organizations in Israel (WIZO, Na'amat and Emunah), as well as to several other organizations in the same category. In addition, 14 individual prizes were awarded to men and women for their contribution to Israeli society in such fields as Jewish history studies, sociology, cancer research, computer science, mathematics, theatre, art and poetry. Hosted by the inimitable Chaim Topol and TV news announcer Meirav Miller audio-visual interludes between the presentations showed Israel as it was when the state was founded compared to today's modern hi-tech country. "Topol," as he is affectionately known, announced that he was almost bar mitzvah age when the state was established. Sprightly as ever, he sang and danced some old favorites representing the 'beautiful 
Israel' together with some Israeli youngsters, ending inevitably with a rendering of "If I Were a Rich Man" from Fiddler on the Roof.