Nazi Germany invaded Poland on September 1st, 1939, starting the bloodiest war in human history. Soon all of Europe, with the exception of Great Britain, was conquered by Germany.
These years witnessed the annihilation of one WIZO Federation after another; 102 WIZO groups in Poland, 23 WIZO groups in Bulgaria, 69 WIZO groups in Transylvania. World WIZO, which had 110,000 members before the war, now had 55,000 members.
With the outbreak of World War II, a major effort was made to gain self-sufficiency by extending the areas for vegetable gardens and small holdings throughout the country, especially since restrictions had been placed on the import of food into the country. At that time, WIZO was supported in its training work not only by the Vaad Leumi, but also by the Mandatory Government.
Now, there was no need for patient explanations or persuasive propaganda. Requests, and indeed demands, for WIZO’s madrichot came in from many quarters, asking for help with vegetable-growing, setting up poultry runs and sheep pens, and the planting of fruit trees.
(In the photo: 1941 – Hannah Szenes, a student at WIZO Nahalal Youth Village)
With the establishment of the State in 1948, and the subsequent mass immigration to the country, especially from Moslem lands, it became clear that there was a need for small auxiliary holdings next to the houses.
Vocational Training for Women
In the 1940’s, the market needed industrial products, yet there was a shortage of skilled laborers. This highlighted the serious lack of vocational education for half the population: women. WIZO worked towards providing vocational education in response to the new reality.
(In the photo: 1948 – Vocational high school for girls in Haifa. Photo: Yaakov Dan)
After the establishment of the State, it was realized that agricultural development in Israel would always be limited, due to the shortage of land and of water. Thus the emphasis was transferred to industry and manual work. The need for skilled labor grew fifteen fold. The Government, however, was not able to build nor maintain vocational schools, even though there was a great need for them.
WIZO, always quick to discern fresh needs, once again mobilized its powers in order to meet this need. To quote from the records: “… It cannot be denied that, since the establishment of the State, vocational education has become an important factor in the country, both from the economic and the educational point of view. A substantial percentage of the youth in the country, and youth who have immigrated recently, is not suited to, nor attracted by, agriculture. There is a demand for vocational education. The government is interested in developing industry, and is providing assistance, but they need trained and experienced manpower.”
“Governmental factors are placing more and more emphasis on introducing women into industry. They have asked us to find out what our vocational schools could contribute in this direction.”
In other words, turning to vocational education now had ideological backing. The State was in need, and WIZO responded. In following the changes brought about by legitimizing vocational education we see that whilst primarily (at the end of the ‘twenties and beginning of the ‘thirties), vocational courses were designed for those women who were not working in agriculture – after the establishment of the State, the vocational education assumed its own importance, and developed because the State required skilled workers.
The importance of WIZO’s effort in this area can be seen in light of the fact that, in contrast to the countries of Europe, Israel had no long tradition of handicrafts, or skills in industrial work, or in training apprentices. The task of turning the children of peddlers, small shopkeepers and other lower middle class sectors of the population, into skilled manual workers, could not be the responsibility of the employers.
The schools constituted the main basis for vocational education. Vocational education for girls had, in the past, suffered due to the small range of occupations that were taught, and were not adapted to industrial needs. “The need to encourage the greater participation of women in civil manpower has long been realized. This should be accomplished by broadening and diversifying the vocational education available to them.” WIZO successfully filled this vacuum.
The vocational training offered by WIZO was given through two channels. Firstly, in a framework of vocational school education, and secondly, via a framework of short courses intended for older women, and women with families. In the 1930’s and 40’s, a great deal was accomplished in the framework of short courses. Emphasis was then placed on high school vocational education, especially after the creation of the State.
