WIZO Milestones
2020 – WIZO celebrates its grand centennial, 100 years since its founding in 1920, with a lavish EGM gathering of more than 1,000 women representing leaders of Jewish communities from 40 countries around the world.
One month later, the Covid-19 pandemic hits.
With the sharp increase in domestic violence due to the pandemic, WIZO Israel, together with the Ministry of Welfare, initiated the establishment of a unique, national emergency shelter for women and their children, who required 14 days of quarantine before being placed in a regular woman’s shelter. The shelter, which was housed in an existing WIZO facility in the center of the country, quickly filled to capacity, and in the eight months of its operation, provided refuge to no less than 447 women and children.
2021 – Despite the pandemic and the ensuing financial crisis, WIZO decided to overhaul its IT systems — launching a new ERP, or Enterprise Resource Planning system, to provide updated technological and computing tools to all parts of the organization.
2022 – At the start of the year, Russia invaded Ukraine in an escalation of the long simmering Russo-Ukrainian War. The invasion, still raging, has killed thousands on both sides and displaced millions. More than 8.2 million Ukrainians would flee their homes, becoming Europe’s largest refugee crisis since World War II. WIZO absorbs dozens of youth from Ukraine and Russia in its youth villages, providing them with all the necessary resources and emotional support to start life anew, often without their parents.
WIZO earns the prestigious Midot Seal of Effectiveness. This certification is the gold standard for efficiency, transparency, financial management and creation of social value for Israeli nonprofit organizations. The process is comprehensive and rigorous.
WIZO launches impactful Selfree program and social media campaign promoting positive body image among teens.
Israel’s Goalball team wins the gold at the 2022 European Para Youth Games and then wins 1st place a few months later in the European Championship. Team captain Doron Hodeda is a student at WIZO Nir Ha’Emek youth village, where the team trains and competes. Goalball is a team sport for the visually impaired.
2023 — The annual Meeting of Representatives (MOR) is held in person in Israel after three years of virtual meetings via Zoom. Hundreds of WIZO leaders arrive in Israel for a celebratory gathering.
Three WIZO Youth Villages mark 100 years: WIZO Gan Vanof, WIZO Nachlat Yehuda and WIZO Nahalal.
WIZO’s shelter for women and children victims of domestic violence celebrates 40 years of operating in Southern Israel.
After a long struggle of over a decade, the Israeli Knesset approved the Electronic Monitoring Law, advanced by WIZO. This marks a significant milestone in the history of the fight against domestic violence, transforming restraining orders into a life-saving tool and enabling families to remain at home without seeking refuge in shelters.
WIZO inaugurates a new Democratic middle school in Rehovot. A rare model in education, the school involves students and parents in all governing and decision-making processes and champions the values of dialogue, equality and responsibility.
October 7: Hamas terrorists infiltrate Israel and murder 1,200 people, kidnap 240 people and ignite a massive Israel-Hamas war that embroils the entire region. WIZO immediately springs into action with various war efforts, including hosting evacuated families from the ravaged South, cooking meals for soldiers, providing childcare for children of hospital employees, and operating emergency hotlines to manage the crisis.
The remainder of 2023 is spent navigating life during the war, reassessing our services, managing a budget deficit and reallocating resources.
2024 — The year starts off with another historical milestone: the first ever Enlarged General Meeting (EGM) held virtually due to the ongoing war. In 103 years, the EGM, a once-in-four years meeting of WIZO members from around the world, has always taken place in person. This year, over 500 EGM representatives joined via Zoom for a four-year recap by World WIZO Chairperson Anita Friedman, a farewell to outgoing World WIZO President Esther Mor, and more.
Anat Vidor is elected as World WIZO President.
WIZO mourns the loss of many graduates of our youth villages and schools, as well as family members of staff and volunteers.
