WIZO Tourist Department

Chairperson: Lili Peyser
38 David Hamelech Blvd.
Tel Aviv 64237

Tel: 972-3-6923819, 972-3-6923892
Fax: 972-3-6961303
Email: touristdept@wizo.org

WIZO Tourist Department

World WIZO’s Tourist Department strengthens the bond between our chaverot around the world and the projects they support here in Israel. By focusing on the needs of Israel within the framework of WIZO, the department organizes tailor-made tours that allow you to be part of the vision, to see and feel it - and turn it into reality. If seeing is believing, World WIZO Tourist Department can show you the way. The department is headed by Chairperson Lili Peyser, Deputy Chair Janine Gelley and Saya Malkin , in charge of special projects.. Department manager, Orna Ref, oversees each tour personally, and together with her dedicated team, she ensures everything is done to guarantee the comfort and safety of the participants and the appropriateness of the itinerary. The Dept. really is "WIZO’s visiting card" and organizes some 1,200 tailor-made visits per year.

Our services

For the last few years there has been a significant increase in tourism to Israel as a whole, and in the number of visitors to WIZO projects in particular. Today the Department deals with many people who come to Israel: WIZO members from the Federations, Jewish groups from various communities, non-Jewish Friends of WIZO, groups of youth, professional visitors, and future leadership in a number of spheres.

Main activities

		Planning trips and visits to WIZO projects, and in Israel in general.
		Conducting negotiations with hotels and travel agents.
		Ongoing contacts within the Tourism industry.
		Planning tours for groups.
		Aid and assistance with the private needs of visiting members.
		Tours during Lapid/Aviv Seminars in cooperation with the Department of Organization and Education.
		Visits for donors, in close cooperation with the WIZO Fundraising Department.
		Involved in organizing the Enlarged General Meeting (Conference).
		Involved in organizing the Annual General Meeting.

Why is it important to visit WIZO projects? You are a member of a WIZO group, but haven't really seen the results of your work firsthand You do not really know for sure what's it all about, and who are the people in need You do not know how to get to see your Federations projects You want to bring a group over to see WIZO at its best You just need to recharge your WIZO batteries

Special visits from around the world: NEW! May 2010 The month of May saw visitors from various part of the world making their way to Israel to visit numerous WIZO projects. The USA Florida Mission came with 14 eager participants who visited Palmachin Air Force Base, Pilavin Gates Day Care Centre in Rishon Lezion, and even enjoyed a late night BBQ at Nir Haemek Youth Village in Afula. For the full report by Liron Milbar click here February 2010 Seventeen Non-Jewish members from Austria's Friends of Yad Vashem made a special visit to the Austrian sponsored Georg and Susanna Boda Daycare Centre in Modi'in. For the full report by Liron Milbar click here November 2009 The French Solidarity Mission brought 31 participants, led by WIZO France President Joelle Lezmi and tour director Emilie Lezmy, to expose our French Chaverot to WIZO's numerous projects, youth groups, and schools. The nine-day visit, lasting from 10/11 to 19/11, included tours of the Annette and Berthe Benhamou Day Care Center in Kfar-Saba, the WIZO Municipal Technological High school in the name of Maya Rosenberg in Rechovot, the Denise Bernard-Kahn Youth Club in Beit Shemesh, and the Single Parent Center in Jaffa. For the full report by Liron Milbar click here July 2009 A mission of 8 officials from Thailand arrived to Israel through AIJAC - Australia / Israel & Jewish Affairs Council (The Rambam Israel Fellowship Program). This mission visited the WIZO Sderot Day Care Center in the name of Bruce & Ruth Rappaport, being the only Kassam proof Day Care Center in the whole world. As a result Sderot has become a landmark for dignitaries & professional people from around the world who come and visit this unique project. A mission of 6 Student Political Leaders from Australia arrived to Israel through AIJAC - Australia / Israel & Jewish Affairs Council (The Rambam Israel Fellowship Program). The mission also visited the WIZO Sderot Day Care Center in the name of Bruce & Ruth Rappaport. For the full report by Celia Michonik click here During the 18th Maccabiah games (2009) many participants lived in WIZO's Youth Villages, their parents visited WIZO's projects and the UK ladies football team and their coaches took the time to visit WIZO Achuzat Yeladim, Haifa. The ladies team shared a moving afternoon with the youngsters, even managed to squeeze a short game during this visit. At the end of the visit the team presented a bag full of football kits and a football signed by the whole team. May 2009 WIZO Australia Mission - May 23 - 30, 2009 To the Summary click here April 2009 It's becoming a beautiful tradition - once again in this time of year WIZO Sao Paulo, Brazil managed successfully to organize a large group of people (30) that came to Israel to celebrate Israel's 61st Indipendence Day. As every year they attended the memorial ceremony for the fallen soliders at the WIZO Municipal Technological High School, Rehovot in the name of Maya Rosenberg. November 2008 WIZO.uk brought a mission of 32 people, between the 9-14 November, in celebration of its 90th Anniversary. It focused primarily on WIZO.uk projects primarily, including visits North, South and East to Jerusalem. read more... May 2008 45 people from WIZO Sao Paulo Brazil came to Israel to celebrate it's 60th anniversary. The group attended a memorial ceremony for the fallen soliders at WIZO Municipal Technological High School in the name of Maya Rosenberg, Rehovot. "Due to the great success of WIZO Sao Paulo tour to Israel at this Yom Haatzmaut' the Chapter is promoting a new visit scheduled for this coming November", Sarita Lea Schaffel, President WIZO Brazil. 80 people from the Zionist Federation of South Africa visited the WIZO kassam rocket proof Day Care Center in the name of Bruce & Ruth Rappaport, Sderot and the Leo & Dolly Levy Day Care Center at Barzelay Medical Center, Ashkelon. A delegation of 12 people from Turkey headed by Mrs. Nimet Cubukcu, Minister of Women's & Family Affairs, visited WIZO Achuzat Yeladim Boarding School, Haifa. July 2008 A youth group of Netzach Israel, Sao Paulo Brazil, 40 people, visited the Day Care Center at the Rebecca Sieff Center For The Family in Jerusalem where they had Kabalat Shabat with the children. A special eventful evening was prepared for the youngsters at the WIZO Haberer Community Center. 40 Israeli youngsters joined them in a leadership session, barbecue and soccer game.

Thank You Letters:

		WIZO Switzerland, October 2007
		First of all and before anything else I would like to compliment you again on the organization of our trip to Israel. It was fantastic in every respect and I believe that all our Swiss chaverot did enjoy the tours and were very impressed by what they saw. Lucie Gideon

		WIZO Switzerland, EGM, January 2008
		I would like to thank you and your staff for a marvelous week. I know how hard you had to work, and I must say that I absolutely admire your organizing skills. To move 1000 women from one place to another without fuss or mishaps - this is the ultimate test for perfect organization. Thank you all for everything. From all my heart. Edith Bino

		WIZO England, EGM, January 2008
		On behalf of WIZO U.K. delegation to the EGM, I would like to thank you for your efficiency, patience and good humor.Coping with the demands of a 1000 WIZO ladies is no mean feat and you pulled this off faultlessly. Here in U.K. we know that we always rely on you for prompt and courteous service. It is a pleasure to deal with your lovely department. Loraine

		WIZO Mexico, EGM, January 2008
		Now, that we are back home after participating the WIZO EGM 2008, we still are remembering every enjoyable moments that we spent in Israel. We, the WIZO MEXICO delegation, don’t have enough words, to thank you for your attention, and the tending to all our needs. We got everything we needed. All the chaverot went back home full of motivation, after visiting our projects. Again, warm thanks for all your hard work. This visit is unforgettable. Bahie Zaga, President WIZO Mexico Tania Hop, Dir. of Tourism WIZO Mexico

Pictures from additional visits: