Under the theme “Building Leadership, Strengthening Israel,” Jewish community leaders from the Women’s International Zionist Organization are meeting in Tel Aviv to focus on strengthening the connection between Israel and the Diaspora and on the challenges facing women’s leadership.Female representatives from 30 federations around the world, including smaller Jewish communities such as India, are attending the fiveday plenary conference – from January 19-23 – which is being held at the Hilton Hotel in Tel Aviv.“The show of female power at WIZO sends a clear message about the place of women on the front lines of activities and as leaders of the Jewish Zionist ethos. WIZO, backed by the strongest Jewish communities in the world, will continue to work to advance the status of women in Israel and strengthen children and youth risk,” said Prof. Rivka Lazovsky, chairwoman of the World WIZO executive.
Through leadership training, idea exchanges and skill building, the plenary will also focus on providing delegates with tools for recruiting new members, especially younger women of “Generation Y.”One of the plenary’s other major focus areas will be carrying WIZO forward into an increasingly technological world and evolving social landscape. The conference will also address challenges facing women’s leadership in the Diaspora and the importance in strengthening the Diaspora-Israel relationship through women’s leadership.The assembly will vote to approve projects for 2014 in a variety of areas, including promoting the status of women, prevention of domestic violence, primary and early childhood education, as well as programs for children and for youth at risk.As part of the conference, the delegates will visit the Knesset on Tuesday, where they will meet with Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein and engage in a discussion led by MK Aliza Lavie, chairwoman of the Committee on the Status of Women, on the importance of female leadership in the Diaspora and its contribution to strengthening the Diaspora-Israel relationship.In addition to working sessions and visits, the delegates will also hear lectures on a variety of subjects important to Israel and the Jewish world, including a lecture by Prof. Emmanuel Trachtenberg on social and economic reforms.WIZO conference tackles challenges facing women’s leadership
Through training, idea exchanges, skill building, plenary will focus on tools for recruiting, especially younger women of “Generation Y.”
