Anita Friedman meets our Patrons and Benefactors

World WIZO Chairperson Anita Friedman has praised UK supporters for their response to the emergency appeal which to date has raised almost £500,000.

Anita took time out from a personal visit to the UK to address over 30 patrons and benefactors at the North London home of Jackie and Rob Ellert, updating them on WIZO’s increased support for its clients impacted by the war.

She reported that the generous contributions from the UK had funded “a diverse range of critical services and assistance, most recently, to enable us to build a large bomb shelter that in wartime will protect 100 students and staff in WIZO Nahalal Youth Village ‑ and during routine periods, will serve as a social lounge for the young girls and boys in the village”.

Anita pointed out that “so much of what we have done since October 7 has been made possible by the critical financial support provided by WIZO’s federations around the world. Every emergency response and new initiative requires funding that is not provided by the Israeli government and must be raised through philanthropic donations.”

In the aftermath of October 7, WIZO immediately opened Day Care Centres in 11 hospitals around the country, allowing medical staff to focus on their life-saving work while WIZO looked after their young children.

“We have hosted evacuees in our youth villages and home for the elderly. We have offered extensive support to thousands of women whose husbands were called up for army reserve service, some of whom have been fighting on the front for many months.”

Anita noted that WIZO volunteers had been at the forefront of support for evacuees and victims’ families.

“Fiercely committed to the physical safety of our institutions,” the charity had also invested significantly in building and renovating dozens of bomb shelters in day care centres, youth villages and other facilities.

Furthermore, WIZO would be a key player “in the great national mission of rebuilding and rehabilitating Sderot and the Gaza Envelope Region”.

In early March, it reopened its three day care centres in the city, with 30 staff supporting 160 children. And there was special emphasis on Sderot’s “very special WIZO institution” – The Open House, a centre focusing on resilience and post-trauma. Previously, it served children up to the age of six. But since October 7, it has been working to expand and diversify its services, putting family at its heart.

It would be offering therapeutic activities, support groups, a “safety net” community for women affected by domestic violence and much more.

WIZO had also initiated the creation of a village for young adults from the region directly affected by the events of October 7, offering therapeutic support, educational opportunities and volunteer activities.

Anita told her North London audience that WIZOUK was known in Israel as the “Mother Federation of WIZO”, providing crucial resources all year around, “including the very important patron and benefactors programme you have instituted”.

Thanking her hosts, she described Jackie Ellert as “the epitome of a dedicated WIZO woman, passionate about Israel and WIZO devoted to service”.

Annabel Stelzer, WIZOUK Chair added her thanks to Jackie and Rob, Anita and in particular to all those attending. “Our patrons and benefactors play an essential role contributing towards ongoing quota and operational costs but also providing WIZO with the security and the ability to plan and commit financially to our numerous projects.“