Women's International Zionist Organization

The Women's International Zionist Organization (WIZO; Hebrew: ויצו Vitzo) is a volunteer organization dedicated to social welfare in all sectors of Israeli society, the advancement of the status of women, and Jewish education in Israel and the Diaspora.

This article is about the Jewish organisation. For the Carolingian scholar, see Candidus (floruit 793–802). For the band, see Wizo.

Women's International Zionist Organization
ויצו‎
FormationLondon, 7 June 1920 (1920-06-07)
FounderVera Weizmann
Rebecca Sieff
Edit Edgar
TypeINGO
PurposePolitical advocacy
President
Esther Mor
Websitewizo.org

History
Vera Weizman visiting a WIZO nursery in Rehovot in 1946

WIZO was founded in England on 7 July 1920 by Rebecca Sieff, Dr. Vera Weizmann (wife of Israel's first president, Dr. Chaim Weizmann), Edith Eder, Romana Goodman and Henrietta Irwell to provide community services for the residents of Mandate Palestine.

WIZO branches opened across Europe, such as that run by Julia Batino in Macedonia, but many were closed down in the wake of Nazi occupation and the Holocaust. Branches in Latin America continued to operate during the war.

In 1949, after the establishment of the State of Israel, WIZO moved its headquarters to Israel and Sieff became president of the world WIZO organization.[1] In 1966 Sieff died, she was replaced by Rosa Ginossar, who had been acting President since 1963.[1] Other past presidents include Raya Jaglom and Michal Har'el Modai, former Miss Israel and wife of Israeli politician Yitzhak Moda'i.

Presidents Evelyn Sommer (WIZO) and Ilana Ben Ami (WIZO Israel) tried to negotiate with Mexican president Luis Echeverría in 1975 to dissuade him from condemning Zionism as Racism during the World Conference on Women in Mexico. Despite Echeverría's promises, UN General Assembly, after the impulse of Arab countries and the support of the Non-Aligned Movement countries and the Soviet bloc, adopted Resolution 3379 against Zionism. Almost 20 years had to pass before the UN Resolution 46/86 revoked the 1975 determination.[2]

Among WIZO's early social welfare projects in Mandatory Palestine were the establishment of Tipat Halav well-baby clinics and clothing distribution centers, many still in operation today.[3] WIZO opened the country's first day care center in Tel Aviv in 1926.

In 2008, WIZO, together with two other Women's organizations, received the Israel Prize for its lifetime achievements and special contribution to society and the State of Israel.[4][5]

Political activity in Israel
For the Israeli military operation, see Operation Focus.
WIZO and the Women's Association for Rights
ויצו והתאחדות נשים לשיווי זכויות‎
LeaderRachel Cohen-Kagan
Founded1949
Dissolved1951
Merged intoIsraeli Liberal Party
IdeologySocial Welfare
Zionism
Women's rights
Most MKs1 (1949-1951)
Fewest MKs1 (1949-1951)
Election symbol
נ‎

WIZO formed a party and ran for Knesset in Israel's first elections in 1949, receiving 1.2% of the vote. It won one seat and was represented by Rachel Cohen-Kagan, chairwoman of WIZO at the time. Cohen-Kagan later ran in elections for the fifth Knesset as a member of the Liberal Party (though she was a member of the group that broke away to form the Independent Liberals).[6]

Today
WIZO badge of honour belonging to Betty Halff-Epstein, in the Jewish Museum of Switzerland’s collection.
WIZO book fair in Strasbourg, France, 2009

Today, WIZO runs 180 day care centers in Israel,[7] caring for 14,000 children of working mothers, new immigrants and needy families. The organization also runs summer camps, courses for single-parent families and therapeutic frameworks for children removed from their homes by court order.[8]

WIZO is now the largest women's Zionist organization in the world. In 2008, 36 member countries sent delegates to Israel to celebrate the organization's 88th birthday.[9]

The current World WIZO president is Esther Mor, who replaced Tova Ben-Dov,[7] in 2016.[10]

See also

References
  1. "WIZO: Women's International Zionist Organization (1920-1970)". Jewish Women's Archive. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
  2. Katz Gugenheim, Ariela (2019). Boicot. El pleito de Echeverría con Israel (in Spanish). Mexico: Universidad Iberoamericana/Cal y Arena. ISBN 978-607-8564-17-0.
  3. "The First Decade: 1920-1930". WIZO. Retrieved 10 August 2014.
  4. "Israel Prize Official Site (in Hebrew) - Recipients' C.V.'s". Archived from the original on 4 May 2009.
  5. "Israel Prize Official Site (in Hebrew) - Judges' Rationale for Grant to Recipients". Archived from the original on 4 May 2009.
  6. "Knesset Member, Rachel Cohen-Kagan". knesset.gov.il.
  7. Hila Weisberg (30 April 2012). "WIZO head: State plans for daycare are insufficient". Haaretz. Retrieved 10 August 2014.
  8. Ingrid Rockberger (23 March 2007). "Supporting women and children". Haaretz. Retrieved 10 August 2014.
  9. Aimee Neistat (21 January 2008). "WIZO: Responsibility, not charity". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 25 June 2015.
  10. Ruth Sinai (14 January 2008). "Pioneers, mothers and teachers aiding the needy". Haaretz. Retrieved 10 August 2014.
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