Honoring the Legacy of Tova Ben-Dov (z”l)

Dear Friends, Women of WIZO,

These words are written as we, together with other WIZO representatives, take part in the World Zionist Congress — only days after returning from Stockholm, where WIZO Federation leaders from across Europe gathered for the annual ECWF Conference. Among the highlights, we celebrated 100 years of continuous activity of WIZO Sweden.

This series of major events comes alongside our many day-to-day responsibilities, chief among them bidding farewell to World WIZO’s outgoing CEO, Mira Mines, and welcoming her successor, Marsel Asulin.

Amid all this excitement and renewal, we felt that the opening words of our November newsletter must be dedicated to our dear friend, and one of WIZO’s greatest leaders through the generations, Tova Ben-Dov (z”l), who passed away this month.

Tova was part of WIZO for 60 years — an achievement few women can claim. From her beginnings as a volunteer with WIZO Israel in Herzliya, through many leadership roles in World WIZO, and throughout her long and accomplished terms as Chairperson of the Movement, President of World WIZO, and Honorary President until her passing. Every WIZO member knew Tova. She nurtured and guided many of us at the start of our own journeys, investing her time and wisdom in the next generation of leaders who would carry WIZO forward. To us all, she was a symbol of Zionist women’s leadership — admired for her ability to make things happen, her conduct with Israel’s leaders, her remarkable fundraising skills for WIZO and for the State of Israel, and her passionate Zionism that inspired everyone around her.

The passing of a great person can leave us with a sense of loss, even of orphanhood, yet it also reconnects us to their legacy — a story that reminds us that everything is possible and that nothing stands in the way of will and determination. Such was the story of Tova Ben-Dov: sixty years of good deeds, forever part of WIZO’s heritage. Alongside the many honors she received in her lifetime — the Israel Prize on behalf of WIZO, Honorary Citizen of Tel Aviv, and Honorary Fellow of the Zionist Congress — Tova will be remembered as a legendary WIZO leader who left a deep mark on Israeli society and whose passing was mourned by so many.

As we draw strength from the legacy of the women who came before us and continue to build WIZO’s proud heritage, we turn back to our daily mission and to the ongoing Zionist work that nothing can stop.

With heartfelt thanks and deep appreciation to all our partners,

Anat Vidor, World WIZO President

Anita Friedman,  World WIZO Chairperson