WIZO around the world
life presidents) and to Hazel Crown and Lorraine Rosmarin
(honorary life vice chairmen). The treasurer reported that
despite the difficult economic climate, WIZO Johannesburg
had achieved its target. The meeting concluded with the
singing of Hatikvah and tea.
Opera in All of its Forms
Children enjoying Zumba and Capoeira
Sponsor A Child in Zurich & Geneva
Recipients of the WIZO Outreach Award with WIZO Vice Chair
JHB Andrea Wainer (far l), (l-r) Michal Lew, Dinah Rabson,
Pnina Herring, Dani Waksman
Forty-five ladies attended a WIZO Zurich Sponsor A Child
luncheon at the home of Eva Wyler. Guests were treated to a
delectable menu and an interesting and entertaining speech
given by honorary guest speaker Richard Schneider, chief
correspondent of the German TV channel ARD in Israel.
Bus Tour
A full busload of participants was treated to an exhilarating,
informative, and nostalgic tour on “Remembering the
Jewish Contribution to the Struggle.” Brett McDougall and
Merle Ruff, of the Johannesburg Heritage Foundation,
shared their research with attendees as they passed through
Doornfontein, Yeoville, Bellevue, Upper Houghton and
Norwood, recalling some of the leading Jewish figures in the
‘Struggle.’ Flo Bird, the dynamic fighter for Johannesburg’s
heritage, navigated the tour. The highlight of the visit was
“Liliesleaf,” where participants shared the experiences of
Rivonia trialists, including Madiba (Nelson Mandela) and
Kathrada.
Under the theme‘The Opera in all of its Forms,’WIZO Lausanne
held its annual evening of dinner and entertainment at the
Beau Rivage Palace in Ouchy. The musical entertainment –
which could only be described as something in between
virtuoso and humorous – included over an hour of operatic
talent and ingenuity by Davide Autieri and Leanna Durney,
accompanied by pianist Guy-Fracois Leuenberger. Together,
the three entertained the audience with spicy, funny and
tender sketches. The evening also included a delicious
dinner, an extravagant dessert buffet and an exceptional
raffle. Guests included His Excellency the Ambassador of
Israel in Bern Igal Caspi and his wife. WIZO Geneva thanks its
generous sponsors for making the evening such a success.
Johannesburg Annual General Meeting
Pretoria
Annual General Meeting
The 113th WIZO AGM in Pretoria was attended by WIZO
members and representatives from numerous Pretoria
organisations, each of which remarked on the sizeable
funds raised by WIZO Pretoria, a small but active community.
Guest speaker was WIZO superwoman Dina Diamond. The
two short videos that were shown left no doubt in anyone’s
mind that the work done and funds raised by WIZO are
not only well used and appreciated, but vital for so many
people.
(l to r) Leanna Durney, Guy-François Leuenberger, Davide
Autieri, Anne Argi
Guests at the Zurich Sponsor A Child Luncheon
International Women’s Day
Two hundred supporters attended WIZO Geneva’s annual
Sponsor A Child evening, held for the first time at the CransMontana. Guests included WIZO Switzerland President
Anne Argi, Israeli Ambassador at the UN Eviatar Manor and
his wife Professor Orly Manor. Esteemed violinist Alexandra
Cravero used her humour and exceptional talent to entertain
and spread a little fire among the guests. Guests were also
treated to a raffle with wonderful prizes, after which they
“went wild” on the dance floor. WIZO Geneva is proud of the
chaverot who organised the event and the generosity of
their guests and sponsors who far exceeded the federation’s
expectations with their donations and support.
In celebration of International Women’s Day 2014, WIZO
chaverot held a Ladies’ Lunch at the Hotel de la Paix in
Geneva. President of WIZO Switzerland Anne Argi, Honorary
President Ruth Dreyfus and Professor Orly Manor attended
the exceptional lunch along with about 100 other guests.
President of WIZO Geneva Cornelia Gurwicz Fischer presented
the Golden WIZO Award to Ruth Rappaport, Honorary
President of WIZO Geneva. Ruth Rappaport is an exceptional
woman who WIZO Switzerland sees as an example of
generosity and dedication to the children of Israel.
(l to r) Kim Wainer, Andrea Wainer, Marcia Parness, Ayala
Sharir, Molly Jayes
Annual General Meeting
WIZO Johannesburg held its 100th AGM, representing a
century of dedication, love and commitment by thousands
of WIZO women. Rabbi Katz recited a Dvar Torah on Queen
Esther. Under the theme “Portraits of Moral Choice,” Tali
Nates, the Director of the Johannesburg Holocaust Centre,
told the stories of Holocaust victims and survivors. The
chairman’s report covered WIZO’s many functions and
educational programmes. Honorary Life Awards were
conferred to Marcia Parness and Annette Price (ho