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Chairperson’s Mission to Australia
A Tale of Three Cities
World WIZO Chairperson Rivka Lazovsky visits Australia to
experience first-hand what WIZO means for the busy women
standing behind the industrious Australian federation
Zohar Friedman
It was the middle of July, and the chaverot of WIZO Australia
were abuzz with excitement. Three important things were
imminent: the women were about to begin their 23 rd
Triennial Conference in Sydney, at the conference they
were going to launch their ‘WIZO School of Life’ fundraising
campaign, and guest of honour Professor Rivka Lazovsky,
Chairperson of World WIZO, was making the long trip
from Israel to Australia. Rivka was to deliver the keynote
address, as well as the leadership session and support WIZO
Australia in achieving its goals, which included motivating
and inspiring members as well as equipping them with the
tools to face both new and old challenges.
Rivka left Israel some 10 days after the death of her
mother, Anita Jamitovksy z”l, who had been head of the
Latin American Department in World WIZO. Cancelling the
mission to Australia was not an option: Rivka knew that the
chaverot in Australia, who had been preparing for her visit
for months, would have been disappointed. She also knew
that her mother would have wanted her to go – and indeed
felt her mother’s role model, enthusiasm and love for WIZO
were with her throughout.
Rivka’s visit proved to be an excellent opportunity to see the
inner workings of the very industrious Australian federation,
to appreciate its committed and enlightened leadership, to
meet the local Australian Jewish community, and perhaps
most importantly, to glean insight into what WIZO means
for the Jewish community at large, but especially for the
women standing behind the busy federation.
With the Australian Jewish community of around 120,000
people, WIZO Australia numbers nearly 5,000 members
total and has branches in five different states. The Australian
chaverot hold their conference every three years, and this
time approximately 80 chaverot from Australia and two
from New Zealand attended.
The 23rd Triennial Conference - Sidney
Delivering the opening address, WIZO Australia President
Gilla Liberman inspired the gathered chaverot: “We touch
the lives of one in four Israelis and we are vital to the social
welfare system of the country. From the young children,
who attend our 180 day care centres, to the elderly, WIZO
Rivka surrounded by the girls at the Korsunski Mt Carmel School, Perth
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I WINTER 2013/14 I WIZO REVIEW