"My WIZO journey began
over thirty years ago.
Each step of the way
has been a challenge
- from Group President
to WIZO NSW Honorary
Secretary, to President
of WIZO NSW and, now,
President of WIZO
Australia.
However, with each
challenge came the
reward of personal
growth and of knowing
that people in Israel
were benefitting from
the work done in such a
far-away place as Australia.
What attracted me to
this movement was,
firstly, that it is a
"women's" movement
which gives all of us
the opportunity to
grow in a nurturing
environment.
The fact that we are
a Zionist movement is
our core. We believe in
Israel's right to have
a homeland and we are
determined to help
those who need
assistance so as to
strengthen her people."
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From Our Federal President
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From Gilla Liberman,
Federal President,
WIZO Australia
Dear Chaveroth,
At the recent Triennial Conference held in Melbourne, I was honoured to accept the nomination
as Federal President of WIZO Australia.
All around me, I see women who I admire and
whose skills have been honed and developed by their involvement with WIZO. We are a strong
"Women's Army" which has power because of our worldwide membership.
The fact that we are an international movement is also an attraction for me. To arrive at a conference
in Israel and be surrounded by women speaking a multitude of languages reinforces, for me, the fact that
women all over the world have chosen to link their lives with Israel by working for WIZO. It is a
wonderful network of Jewish women who can and do use their voices to benefit Israel and the Jewish
people.
WIZO is the largest social welfare organisation in Israel and the fact that we help 1 in 4 Israelis is
a privilege. In this way we link our lives in the Diaspora with Israel on a day-to-day basis, in a
meaningful and important way. This is so obvious when we visit our projects and see what we have
achieved and the positive effect that we are having on so many lives.
To take over the Presidency of WIZO Australia is a serious responsibility. In my memory, the
calibre of women who were Federal Presidents - Nelly Weiss OAM, Ann Zablud OAM, Zosia Mercer,
Rony Bognar and Jo Gostin - have created a history of strong leadership and each of these women has
contributed so much to WIZO's growth in Australia as did the Presidents before them.
In Israel, the World WIZO Executive respects the Australian Federation and treats us as a serious
partner in the work to be done. They appreciate the fact that we know our projects so well and
care about what is happening in them.
Jo Gostin, as the immediate Past President, has worked tirelessly to improve the relationship
between our Federation and the members of the World WIZO executive. In this way, we have become more
efficient in our work as the right people were contacted to answer our questions. She provided WIZO
Australia with excellent fundraising tools which we had not had before and this contributed to our
record fundraising and the wonderful improvements we have been able to make to WIZO Ahuzat Yeladim
in Haifa and the Korsunski Youth Club in Kfar Saba.
I know that we will be equally successful in our latest endeavour - to improve the Day Care Centres
for the children in our care - the next Israeli generation. I hope you like the material that has been
prepared.
Over the next six years, I hope to continue WIZO's successes, supported by a great team of people
whose passion for WIZO is an inspiration. I would like to ease us into the 21st century by improving on
our use of technology. A database is vital and I plan to present you with a viable one to use. The
usefulness and dangers of Facebook, Twitter and blogging have to be faced and decided upon. Our
connection with the youth groups and AUJS is vital and will continue.
To the State representatives, please contact me when you need assistance either for fundraising
materials and ideas, to organise trips to our projects in Israel for our many supporters or just
generally to discuss you may have.
Our challenge is to keep up our membership numbers, to train new leaders and to remain relevant
to young women so that WIZO continues. I am heartened by calibre of the AVIV members who have joined
us already.
I want to say thank you to my family, in advance, for supporting me in this role. They have
given me every encouragement which has made it easier for me to make this commitment. I want them
to know just how much I value their support.
Thank you for this honour and I look forward to working with all my WIZO Chaverot to ....
MAKE IT ALL POSSIBLE.
Shalom kulam,
Gilla Liberman,
Federal President,
WIZO Australia
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DID YOU KNOW THAT
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WIZO is an international
movement of Zionist
women founded in
England in 1920?
Today, tens of
thousands of
volunteers are active
in 50 Federations
worldwide in support
of the State of Israel
and the welfare of
its citizens.
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