Legacy of Leadership at WIZO

At WIZO, leadership is more than a role — it’s a legacy. Across Israel, daughters are following in their mothers’ footsteps, stepping into the same mission of caring for and educating toddlers during their earliest and most formative years. Between ages 0 and 3, children develop the foundations of trust, learning, and resilience. To nurture them is not only to care for today, but to raise the next generation of Israeli society.

The field of early childhood education in Israel has faced a significant challenge in recent years: recruiting and retaining high-quality staff. At WIZO, we see it as a national mission to ensure that every child receives warm, loving, and professional care in their earliest years. To achieve this, we have invested in special recruitment efforts — launching campaigns on social media and in the public sphere, training dedicated recruitment teams, and providing ongoing professional development. Alongside these initiatives, we are proud to showcase stories of continuity, commitment, and intergenerational leadership within our daycare centers. These examples illustrate WIZO’s unique strength: raising not only Israel’s children, but also the next generation of educational leaders.

Eti and Liron Sabag: Building Strong Foundations

For Eti Sabag, Director of the WIZO Neve Ganim daycare in Kiryat Motzkin for 18 years, the work has always been about more than daily management:
“I wanted to advance in education, to give security, love, and community strength. From my first year, I worked to transform the daycare into a place where families felt safe. These are the years that shape who a child will become, and I knew this was where I could make the greatest impact.”

When her daughter Liron Levy Sabag chose to follow her path, Eti recalls:
“I felt pride but also responsibility — to be her example while letting her stand on her own. Today, she is absolutely succeeding in her own right.”

Now Director of the WIZO HaRav Kook daycare, Liron reflects on the journey:
“After years in another field, I started as a caregiver and fell in love with the work. My mother inspired me — she taught me that true leadership begins with listening, really seeing each child, and giving parents peace of mind. I carry her values, but I also bring my own approach — innovation, modern tools, and a personal style. It’s both her legacy and my own path.”

Keren and Tamar Samuels: Continuing with Heart and Innovation

For Keren Samuels, Director of the WIZO K’nai HaGalil daycare, leadership is a calling:
“My passion has always been working with children and supporting parents. Directing a daycare gives me the chance to influence not just daily life, but the future — by leading a team, setting high standards, and giving families confidence.”

Her daughter Tamar, now Director of the WIZO Nofekh daycare, explains:
“Of course, my mother was a huge inspiration. From her I learned that leadership starts with personal example — respect, listening, and professionalism. But I also add my own voice: new methods, creativity, and stronger collaboration with parents. It’s about honoring the values I grew up with while building a future that meets the needs of today’s children and families.”

A Living Legacy

These stories show that WIZO daycare centers are more than childcare facilities — they are places where generations of women dedicate themselves to nurturing Israel’s youngest children at the most delicate stage of life. By combining the wisdom of experience with the vision of a new generation, mothers and daughters together are ensuring that toddlers grow up in safe, loving, and stimulating environments.

This is the true strength of WIZO: raising the next generation, one child at a time.