The Blog
WIZO News

Desk of Esther

WE BOW OUR HEADS TO HONOR THE PASSING AWAY OF HONORARY LIFE PRESIDENT RAYA JAGLOM Z'L

May her memory be blessed. May G-d comfort her family among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem

August 06, 2017

Esther pic s

envelop-bluephone-blue

2 August, 2017

Dear Friends,

The WIZO movement bows its head to honour the blessed memory of Raya Jaglom z"l Honourary Life President of World WIZO, who passed away today.

Raya Jaglom was born in Bessarabia and in 1939 immigrated to Eretẓ Israel, where she studied at The Hebrew University. After her marriage in the following year to Joseph Jaglom, an industrialist, she was joined by her parents and grandmother. She first became active in WIZO in 1941, and apart from a period of 18 months in 1947–48 when she served in the Haganah, she devoted the whole of her activity to WIZO, visiting almost every country in the world on its behalf, including the U.S.S.R. at the invitation of the Soviet Women's Committee in Moscow.

In February 1971 she headed the WIZO delegation to the World Conference on Soviet Jewry held in Brussels. She was elected chairman of the World WIZO Executive in 1963 and president in 1970, and represented WIZO on the Executive of the Jewish Agency from 1964. She served as WIZO president for 26 years, and subsequently as Honorary Life President. Such was her stature that if you mention the name Raya Jaglom to Israelis or non-Israeli leaders of Diaspora Zionist organizations who are middle-aged and older, the immediate association will be WIZO.

In addition, Raya Jaglom held other public offices, including membership on the Board of Governors of both the Hebrew and Tel Aviv universities, on the Executive of the World Zionist Organization, on the Board of Governors of the Jewish Agency, on the international council of the Israel Museum and  on  the international board of Tel Aviv Museum.

Raya z"l was a WIZO pioneer, a social activist for women's rights and a fundraising genius. Her commitment to WIZO was total and unconditional. She was always immaculately dressed and groomed even after a grueling working day.

Raya z"l  maintained a keen interest in WIZO and as Honourary Life President continued to attend the annual conferences and other important WIZO events even  after being confined to a wheel chair. Raya z"l attended the 2017 MOR that took place in January earlier this year.

She is survived by a son, a daughter and grandchildren.

May her memory be blessed. May G-d comfort her family among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.

In sincere sympathy,

 

signature

Esther Mor,
President, World WIZO