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New Beginnings

The beginning of a new year is the time to reflect on what oneself can improve in the new year, and how the year can be used in a productive way.

By Dina Lewinsky

New Year's Eve was recently celebrated all over the world, marking the year that has gone by, and welcoming the new. The beginning of a new year is the time to reflect on what oneself can improve in the new year, and how the year can be used in a productive way. It is thus a very important reflection period, full of optimism and dreams. The challenge lies with how to live out these dreams and ensure achievement.

herzelTheodor Herzl, the father of modern Zionism had a very special vision for Israel. He envisioned that the future Jewish state should be a model society to the rest of the world. The Jewish state should act in a righteous manner, and build a state on the basis of equality before the law for all its citizens, social responsibility, modernity, sophistication, technological advancement and prosperity. Even though Herzl never lived to see his dream come true and build the State of Israel, his vision for the Jewish state has guided Israel and set a clear path since its establishment. Till this day, Israel has been developing according to a very clear strategy, namely to up to Herzl's vision.

Since WIZO's establishment in 1920, before the State of Israel, we have worked towards creating a Jewish homeland, aligned with Herzl's Zionist ideals, and we take great pride in our contribution to advancing equality of rights and creating a more just and socially responsible country.

DCCWIZO's main purpose is to enable new beginnings by giving opportunities and improving the quality of life of those in need. The work that WIZO does can showcase countless examples, of how lives have been saved and people have managed to turn their life around and become happy and successful. WIZO visits give our members and supporters an opportunity to witness first-hand the impact that WIZO has. It gives a sense of purpose and engagement to be able to see with one's own eyes the results of all the support WIZO receives from its members, and how it is all used towards helping those in need. Witnessing new beginnings is something truly magical, like looking at the fireworks on New Year's Eve with eyes full of expectation and excitement, thinking of the hopes for the new year to come. "Seeing is believing". Knowing that by supporting WIZO, you are contributing actively to help at risk women, children and youth (like those you visited in the WIZO projects) to a new beginning and a chance for a better life, will fill your heart with love and optimism for the world.

How do we regard new beginnings? There are those beginnings that are controlled by the calendar, and there are those beginnings that we are in control of and create ourselves. The state of Israel was a new beginning, enabled by brave Jewish Zionists, and the establishment of WIZO was founded by strong Jewish women. WIZO operates according to the same approach, namely creating new beginnings and a chance for a better life for those in need. The new year is a time to think, the rest of the year is a time to act and make dreams come true.