Representing dreams

Tova Ben-Dov takes joy in making a positive difference in the lives of others.

Tova Ben-Dov 521 (photo credit: Courtesy)
Tova Ben-Dov 521
(photo credit: Courtesy)
What gets you out of bed every morning? The joy of knowing that I am going to make a positive difference in the lives of underprivileged babies, children and women... The knowledge that WIZO is making their dreams and hopes come true.
What keeps you up at night? Worrying that WIZO won’t be able to carry out as much as we would like to.WIZO is rich in human resources but lacking funds due to the global economical situation.
What’s the most difficult professional decision you’ve faced so far? Having to close WIZO projects and dismiss dedicated staff.
How do you celebrate achievements? Achievements are accomplished by hard work over a long period of time – so I don’t have time to celebrate, just to go on to the next project or recipient of our services.
If you were prime minister, what’s the first thing you would do? Bridge the educational, social and financial gaps, reduce polarization; change national priorities; substantially increase the number of women in key positions; in the short term to take responsibility for early education by allocating funds to increase the number of day care centers, with affordable tuition for all sectors in society, with the long term aim of free and accessible early education.
Which Israeli should have a movie made about him/her? The “unknown heroes” who volunteer among us. They do not seek publicity but rather to serve society, day in and day out, in their own small way. So many of us owe so much to these few wonderful people.
■ What would you change about Israelis if you could? I would like to see Israelis more patient, more tolerant, more able to praise one another. Less blunt and “prickly.”
■ iPad, BlackBerry or pen and paper? Pen and paper – they don’t need batteries or instructions.
If you had to write an advertisement to entice tourists to come to Israel, what would it say? “Six thousand years on and it is still happening! Come and see the impossible become possible in our beautiful wonder – Israel.”
What is the most serious problem facing the country? Security, defense and public unrest. The public has taken to the streets to express its discontent with the current socioeconomic situation and the growing gaps that see the rich getting richer, the poor getting poorer and the middle class weakening. This is a potentially inflammatory situation that has to be defused to prevent escalation.
■ How can it be solved? I realize there are no overnight solutions but the government has to listen to the public, demonstrate responsibility to change national priorities and to focus on more equality in education, health, welfare, housing and equal opportunity for all.
■ In 20 years the country will be:
A global leader in education, hi-tech, advanced technologies, medicine, science, physics, etc., will have more social equality and will be at peace with its neighbors.