WIZO’s 2023 Rosh Hashanah Appeal

Can you imagine going through life, every day, months and seasons, each new year, with no hope of change or moments of joy? A calendar without dates to look forward to, devoid of any happy or significant recollections.

Before WIZO stepped in to help, that is exactly what life was like for Leah, her days tumbling forward with no prospect of a break from the cycle of pain and trauma in her life.

One of seven siblings, Leah’s father left when she was young, leaving her with a largely absent mother whose violent boyfriend’s abuse caused her behaviour to become disastrous and resulted in her expulsion from school.

Deciding that life on the streets was preferable to her difficult life at home, Leah quickly fell in with the wrong crowd and turned to drugs, prostitution and petty crime.

Some nights she was desperate to be arrested, just for a hot meal and a bed for the night.

However, eventually Leah’s wish was granted when the police picked her up. Although she could not know it at the time, her life was about to change as her social worker connected her with WIZO.

At the life changing WIZO Adi Centre in Be’er Sheva, which supports girls at-risk, Leah finally felt listened to. She formed friendships with the other girls on the programme, received specialist therapy and was tutored in basic life skills giving her the tools to discover her vocation in life – which, beyond her wildest dreams proved to be studying law.

That ‘arresting’ moment was a milestone in Leah’s life, without which her days would have continued along the same, ever-declining path.

As we approach Rosh Hashanah, we reflect on all those whose lives WIZO has turned around marking a new beginning in their calendar, a new ‘season’ of hope.

Only with your generous help can WIZO be the lifeline for vulnerable young girls like Leah, enabling them to welcome a positive new season into their lives. We thank you for making that possible.

Please consider supporting our Rosh Hashanah Appeal to give more girls like Leah a fresh start and a hopeful new beginning.

Wishing you a sweet, healthy and happy New Year,