Isha L`Isha - Keren Hayesod

Isha L'Isha
Newsletter IWD #6
- NISSAN 5776
APRIL 2016
My dear friends,
We are pleased to send you the sixth edition of Isha
L'Isha to update you on the activities carried out by WDs
around the world over the past six months.
In addition to the always rewarding normal contacts
with the presidents of many of the WDs and the not
always easy decisions that need to be taken, there were
two activities that I would like to highlight: my visit to
Mexico City in November 2015 and the traditional event
at my home in Punta del Este in January 2016.
In Mexico, I participated in the changeover of WD
presidents, when Thalia Tartakovski handed the
leadership over to Lisa Torun Souroujon. We hope we
will continue to enjoy Thalia’s support, and I wish Lisa
the best of luck. I was greatly moved by the love with
which I was received by the activists and impressed by
their efficient organization and the extraordinary work
they do!!! Thank you very much and congratulations,
dear Mexican friends.
Changeover of WD Presidents:
Lisa Torun Souroujon, WD Mexico President;
Nelly de Bobrow, IWD President;
Victoria Reimers, Honorary IWD President;
Thalia Tartakovski, former WD Mexico President
Over 50 women participated in the traditional event at
my holiday home in Punta del Este - from WD Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay and notably, Daniela Perel, a
leader of WD Geneva. It was truly gratifying to see the joy and interaction as all these friends met up again!
The event was enhanced by the presence of KH leaders- Eliezer (Moodi) Sandberg, World Chairman; Shaul
Ravid, Deputy Director General; Yoel Embon, Director for Latin America, Spain and Portugal; and Dani
Alaluf, Director of Training and Development and Young Leadership, as well as San Paulo and Buenos Aires
shlichim, Shay Maor and Zuli Dreispiel. And as the icing on the cake, two ladies from Sao Paulo decided
spontaneously to become Lions of Judah!
Isha L'Isha
Nelly and Moyses Bobrow
IWD meeting in Punta del Este
IWD Director, Marcelo Goldin, paid successful visits to various WDs and will continue doing so
throughout the year; I am confident that this will contribute to the development of the WDs.
Together with Marcelo and Denise Dalva, our efficient assistant in Jerusalem, we are supporting the
efforts of Rebecca Jacquin, President of WD Paris, in the planning and organization of our next European
Conference in September. It will be a very unique event and we look forward to all of you participating!
My dears, let’s continue with our work and making history. We have much to do in order to achieve the
goals we have set and the efforts of each one of you are essential.
This relates to the festival of Passover, which we will celebrate within the next days together with our
families. When our ancestors escaped from Egypt, the sea opened before their very eyes. A true miracle!
We humans also can make miracles! When we struggle to defeat the challenges we face, to overcome
whatever it is that stands in our way, that enslaves us, and to achieve what we want, we are creating
miracles. Our personal miracles!
I wish a Pesach Kasher Ve’sameach to you all! May we celebrate and enjoy this chag together with our
loved ones and continue growing, fighting that which enslaves us and achieving miracles!
Nelly de Bobrow
IWD President
International Women's Division
European Conference
Paris, 14-18 September, 2016
Isha L'Isha
Argentina - Buenos Aires
Three events were held toward the end of 2015:
Renowned journalist Pilar Rahola spoke about her book Enough at an event organized by Berta Sutton at the
prestigious Alvear Hotel. Proceeds were dedicated to the Shelanu Project.
L-R: Pilar Rahola, Raquel Isler, Berta Sutton
and Jorge Stern, local KH President
L-R: Claudia Stad and Berta Sutton
A solidarity concert and luncheon hosted by Poppy and Carlos Abolsky at their home in the Miraflores Country
Club benefited the KH-supported Sulamot project.
Carlos Abolsky performing
at the piano
Musicians and audience
at the solidarity concert
L-R: Celia Friedman, Coca Kaczka,
Raquel Domber, Claudia Stad,
Raquel Friedman, Juana de Jonge,
Shula Silberstein and Noemi Gover
New Lion of Judah: During the year’s closing activity, WD President, Shula Silberstein, presented Claudia
Jacubovich with a Lion of Judah pin. The event was chaired by Jaime Jacubovich, Claudia’s father and major
donor to Keren Hayesod.
L-R: Miguel Gonorowsky, Jaime Jacubovich, Claudia Jacubovich,
WD President Shula Silberstein and Jorge Stern
L-R: Jana Koifman, Noemi Gover, Celia Friedman, Yoli Kohen,
Sofia Chloca, Niky Ovsejevich, Elda Sztern, Lili Lerner, Shula
Silberstein, Leda Junowicz, Raquel Friedman, Laura Lisman,
Estrella de Berman, Berta Gutmacher, Raquel Domber and
Coca Kaczka
Isha L'Isha
Australia - Melbourne
550 women (and a handful of men) attended the Melbourne Women Division’s breakfast opening event held at
the International of Brighton on 25 February. Guest speaker, Lucy Aharish, reporter, television host and the first
Israeli-Arab news presenter on Hebrew-language television in Israel, discussed life in Israel and current issues,
and specifically her own upbringing and childhood. The event included a pinning ceremony of the new Lions of
Judah and Lev Chais. Funds raised at the event were dedicated to the Youth Futures project.
KH representative Idan Goldberger presenting
Ruth Shafir with her Lion of Judah pin
Lucy Aharish
L-R: Hayley Southwick, WD Melbourne President, and Idan
Goldberger presenting Pauline Opat with a Lev Chai pin
WD opening event
Isha L'Isha
Australia - Sydney
WD Opening Events
Under the leadership of Bev Michaelis and Judy Stromer,
several highly successful functions were held at the end of
March.
On March 20, the Executive met for a Sunday morning
breakfast. Guest speakers, Dr. Einat Wilf and Dr. Richard
Prasquier, discussed the current situation in Israel and France
and the impact on the Jews of Europe. This was followed
by a film about the wave of terror plaguing Israel. Einat, a
former Knesset member, is widely regarded as Israel's roving
ambassador, defending its legitimacy as the nation state of
the Jewish people, and Richard was elected President of KH
France after serving in leadership roles for many Jewish and
non-Jewish organisations.
L-R: Bev Michaelis, WD Co-Chair; Richard Prasquier,
President of KH France; Einat Wilf, former Knesset
member; and Judy Stromer, WD Co-Chair
The campaign opening event, a major donor breakfast in which
110 women participated, was held at the end of March. Deputy
Ambassador of Israel, Anat Sultan-Dado, presented the new
Lions of Judah with their pins as well as two women whose
pins were upgraded with precious stones. That evening, 300
women enjoyed a buffet dinner in the ballroom of a beautiful
hotel. The next morning 185 women attended an event in a
cinema, followed by a light lunch.
Helping Terror Victims
After 15 years of supporting the Nurit Absorption Centre, WD
Sydney decided to focus its major efforts on a new and urgent
project – the KH-supported Victims of Terror Fund, which
provides desperately needed assistance to victims and their
families.
Young Women's Tikvah Division
Over 100 young women came out for the Young Women's
Tikvah Division dinner. Sarah Vanunu, a former Sydney resident
who made aliyah, spoke at the event and shared the dilemmas
facing young families in Israel today. Tikvah Division, which
started five years ago, is supporting a Pesach Holiday Camp for
100 children-in-need at the Ye'elim Absorption Centre.
L-R: Judy Kaye and Lucille Segal, new Lions of Judah
L-R: Donna Rom, Sara Vanunu, Tova Archie
and Amanda Isenberg
Isha L'Isha
Brazil - Rio de Janeiro
Sukkot Party
The home of WD President, Claudia C. Chor, was the perfect
venue for the annual Succot party. The beautiful Succah facing
Ipanema Beach hosted a very special group of women, enabling
them to experience the festival’s true spirit of celebration. It was
also an occasion to officially introduce the new KH shlichah,
Monica Davidovich.
Annual Lion of Judah Dinner
L-R: Monica Davidovich, KH Representative in Rio;
The annual Lion of Judah dinner took place at the home of the
Gisela S. Wajner, LOJ President; Henrique Cymerman,
group’s President, Gisela Schenker Wajnberg. Nearly 90 guests
international journalist; Claudia Chor, WD President;
had the privilege of hearing one of the most celebrated names in
and Monica Schreiber, Golda Meir President
international journalism, Henrique Cymerman, the last reporter
to interview YItzhak Rabin, and one of the first to interview Pope Francis in the Vatican, who named Cymerman
his “Angel of Peace”. The elegant reception and Cymerman’s lively talk made the evening a great success.
Golda Meir Group
Chaired by Monica Schreiber, this group celebrated Chanukah
with a party at the residence of the former President of the
Jewish Federation of Rio, Sergio Niskier. The highlight of the
evening was a lecture on the Entebbe Rescue Operation
by Keren Hayesod shaliach to Sao Paulo, Shay Maor. Maor
kept the audience on the edge of their seats with his firsthand description of the legendary feat. He shared first-hand
information about the days preceding the military action, the
decision-making process and the real facts of the rescue.
L-R: Simone Rothstein, Rina Avigdor Hasky
and Monica Schreiber
Another memorable moment of the evening was the donation
of a portrait of Golda Meir by askanit Denise Tredler. The portrait
was painted by her father-in-law, Szymon Tredler, who survived WW II together with his family with the help
of his artistic skills.
Golda Meir Group
Denise Tredler, Monica Schreiber and
Szymon Tredler
Shay Maor, KH representative to
Sao Paulo
Isha L'Isha
Brazil - Sao Paulo
Sukkot Gathering
As in previous years, Goldeti Glass hosted her WD
colleagues at a festive gathering in her succah.
Rabbi Richard Tamezgui and Nelly de Bobrow
saying the blessing over the lulav and etrog
Experience Exchange Day
Members of WD Rio de Janeiro joined in for a
Standing L-R: Katy Borger, Monica Davidovich, KH shlichah;
year-end “Experience Exchange Day” organized
Gisela Schenker, President of LOJ Rio; Denise Feder and
by Shirley Bidlovski, WD President, at her home.
Evelise Ochman. Sitting: Claudia Chor, President of WD Rio;
The two groups took part in fundraising recycling
Goldeti Glass, Monica Schreiber, President of Golda Meir Group;
workshops, exchanged information and discussed
Melia Choueke and Nelly de Bobrow, IWD President.
new possibilities for cooperation.
Participating were Nelly de Bobrow, IWD President; Gisela Schenker, President of LOJ Rio; Claudia Chor,
President of WD Rio; and Monica Schreiber, President of Golda Meir Group; as well as Katy Borger, Goldeti
Glass, Denise Feder, Evelise Ochman and Melia Choueke, WD Advisors; and Monica Davidovich, KH shlichah.
Meeting for Israel
Sandra Rabinovitch hosted a meeting at her home with all the Sao Paulo activists to hear renowned journalist
Henrique Cymerman discuss his fascinating interviews with Middle East and world leaders. Mrs. Hilda Safra,
WD’s most veteran activist, was honored at the meeting with a certificate for her long years of devotion.
On this occasion, the “#eu me amarro em Israel” - "I bind myself to Israel" - social media campaign was launched.
The women tied blue threads around their wrists and posted photos on Facebook and Instagram. They took
home with them additional threads to distribute to their family members and friends.
L-R: Shirley A. Bidlovski, WD President, Henrique
Cymerman and Simone Schapira Wajman
L-R: Diana M.Nasser, Hilda Safra,
Shirley A.Bidlovski.
Isha L'Isha
L-R: WD Vice President Frida Dayan,
Monica Mehler, Stela Waintraub and
Monica Fuchs
L-R: Sandra Rabinovitch, Norma Nigri,
Helena Chachamovits and Frida Dayan
End-of-Year Luncheon
Targets and plans for the upcoming campaign were discussed at an end-of-year luncheon for activists. Lunch
was followed by the last session of the Israel Connection Project for donors and activists, which focused on an
analysis of the situation in Israel, the Middle East and the world, with the renowned journalist Jayme Spitzcovsky.
Israel Shelanu Luncheon
Israel Shelanu, a group of younger women, closed the year with a luncheon. The group works with children
from Jewish schools in Sao Paulo to promote the WD’s project for 2015/16 – “Let’s help 5 kids in Israel”. They
collected donations from the youngsters to help five children in Beit Shean attend the Guilad School.
L-R: Gracia Picciotto, Roni Gedankien, Denise Dayan, Lara Knobel,
Silvana Smejoff, Shay Maor, Nicole Rouben, Karina S. Milner,
Elisa Griner, Ilana Carasso, Shirley Bidlovski, Patricia Fuchs
and Luciana Natenzon
Isha L'Isha
Canada - Montreal
Pack It Up
The “TOV-Pack It Up!” program, chaired by Vanessa Essiminy,
was created as part of WD TOV (Tikun Olam Volunteers). They
provided 420 underprivileged children with new supplies,
donated by local companies as well as community members,
enabling them to start the new school year like their classmates
and motivating them to succeed.
Pack it up
Yom Yocheved Clothing Giveaway
The Yom Yocheved Clothing Giveaway gave disadvantaged families the opportunity to choose new clothing in a
comfortable, stress-free retail environment for free. In 2015, they helped clothe over 600 children with appropriate
clothing for the winter. Chaired by Chaya and Lorne Lieberman and Louise Segal, the Clothing Giveaway was
named after Chaya’s late mother Yocheved z”l, a staunch advocate of giving tzedakah and treating everyone with
respect. Six conference rooms were filled with clothing donated by local companies - everything from underwear
to pajamas, boots and jackets. Seeing the faces of the mothers and children when they left with bags full of new
clothes was the greatest reward for all the volunteers at this special event and a testament to the day’s success.
Kudos to the 100+ volunteers who gave their time over a three-day period and the generous companies that
donated the clothing.
Cooking in Heels
100 women gathered at the Sub-Zero Wolf Showroom by Maroline
for a cooking demo with author and food blogger Kim Kushner and a
sumptuous sit-down tasting featuring dishes from her most recent
cookbook, The New Kosher. Watching Kim’s cooking techniques
and sampling her delicious food was a fun and educational way
to support Federation CJA’S 2015 Campaign. The event was cochaired by Ruth Choueke, Carole Cohen and Leslie Cons.
L-R: Leslie Cons, Carole Cohen, Karen Soussan,
Kim Kushner, Danielle Rogozinsky, Ruth Choueke
and Heather Paperman
Feed the Truck
A massive citywide food drive, headed by
co-chairs Linda Bensoussan, Jill Kimmel
and Bonnie Levine, galvanized Jewish
day school students to collect more than
20,000 food items to be donated to those
in need. A special branded truck travelled
to the participating schools, giving children
a hands-on opportunity to fill it with kosher
non-perishable food items, which were
Feeding the truck
distributed to the locally-funded communal
organizations that deal with food security.
This experience enabled the children to learn about the needs of the Jewish community and empowered them
to make a difference.
Isha L'Isha
WD Flies to New York City
48 women flew to New York City for a day of camaraderie, learning and inspiration. Co-chaired by Sandra Abitan,
Heather Adelson and Jessica R’bibo, the group enjoyed a full day of activities that included a guided tour of the
9/11 Memorial Museum, lunch at Goldman Sachs with incredible guest speakers, a tour of the Neue Gallery with
guest speaker Ambassador Ron Lauder, dinner with Jane Weitzman and so much more. It was truly a meaningful
day of meeting with community leaders that increased everyone’s passion and commitment to the Montreal
Jewish community.
Challah Bake
As part of the Worldwide Shabbat Project, a Challah
Bake, co-chaired by Yaelle Benhamou, Debbie Cons, Guila
Delouya and Jennifer Lassner Rosenblum, was held at the
Crowne Plaza Hotel. Over 1,000 women, both experienced
challah bakers and first timers, shared the mitzvah of baking
challah. Inspirational keynote speaker Alina Spaulding,
a Jewish leader and humanitarian who immigrated with
her family from the former Soviet Union to the US in 1979
with the help of several Jewish agencies, spoke about how
Federation helped them, stressing that everyone can make
a difference in another’s life by supporting their Federation.
After kneading and braiding their challahs together, the
women took them home to bake and share at their Shabbat
table.
Lion of Judah Fall Event
Lion of Judah donors and their spouses attended an
elegant evening in the exquisite home of Betty and
Joe Nezri, co-chaired by Elaine Dubrovsky, Sue Carol
Isaacson, Alice Raby, Sarah Rubin and Arlene Yufe.
Keynote speaker, Mordecai Dzikansky, retired detective
and bestselling author of Terrorist Cop, spoke of his
work as NYPD Intelligence Division Overseas Liaison
to the Israel National Police. His intelligence gathering
and relay of key information to NYC enhanced the
Department's ability to deter terror. Special guest
speaker was Ziv Nevo Kulman, Israel's Consul General
for Quebec and the Atlantic Provinces.
L-R: Heather Paperman, Guila Delouya,
Alina Spaulding, Jennifer Lassner Rosenblum, Yaelle
Benhamou, Karen Soussan and
Danielle Rogozinsky
Top row L-R: Sarah Rubin, Arlene Abitan;
middle row: Danielle Rogozinsky,
Karen Soussan, Mordecai Dzikansky, Arlene Yufe,
Elaine Dubrovsky, Wendy Spatzner;
Bottom row L-R: Alice Raby, Sue Carol Isaacson, Consul General
Ziv Nevo Kulman, Heather Paperman, Barry Pascal
Isha L'Isha
Choices Event
Over 700 women enjoyed a wonderful meal with friends at the annual Philanthropy "Choices" event, co-chaired
by Trish Bengualid, Karine Hazan, Kerry Kaufman Paperman and Renee Pearl, at the Plaza Centre Ville. Keynote
speaker, Campbell Brown, Emmy award-winning journalist and veteran broadcaster, spoke about the choices
she has made and shared her heart-warming story of finding love in Iraq and converting to Judaism, raising two
children in a traditional Jewish family while trying to “have it all” professionally. Special guest speaker was Miriam
Peretz, mother of two fallen IDF soldiers. Everyone was inspired by Miriam’s strength and courage.
WD Outreach and Volunteer Programs
• “Lunch for a Bunch” provided lunches to over
130 children in Montreal Jewish and public
schools.
• Cooking for a Cause – 12 volunteers helped
bake cookies that were served at Le Café, an
arm of Federation CJA eatery for the needy.
• Holiday in a Box – For Tu B’shvat, volunteers
brought cheer to isolated seniors, personally
delivering Shabbat baskets containing fruit,
challah, grape juice, candles and a card with
the blessings.
L-R: Danielle Rogozinsky, Trish Bengualid, Karine Hazan, Miriam Peretz,
Campbell Brown, Renee Pearl, Kerry Kaufman Paperman, Karen Soussan
and Heather Paperman
Chile - Santiago de Chile
"Askan Day", held in the noted Santiago Cinema, featured cocktails and the first showing of the acclaimed Israeli
film Rock in the Red Zone. Hanna Binstock Honig was honored for her exceptionally hard work and unconditional
commitment to Israel and the Jewish people. The award was presented by the President of the Women's Division,
Yona Pollak, and by the Keren Hayesod representative in Chile, Jorge Stern.
L-R: Yona Pollak, WD Chile President,
and Hanna Binstock Honig
Isha L'Isha
Holland - Amsterdam
Honoring our Donors
At the annual evening honoring donors (the HODE) held in early winter, Women’s Division Holland was proud to
present Mrs. Naomi Livnat-Vermeer, one of WD’s most dedicated donors, with her Lion of Judah pin, in recognition
of her deep commitment to Israel and the Jewish people.
“The State of Israel is our homeland”, she said, “and we have a strong connection to our history, our land and its
people. We are one nation and one people”.
L-R: Robert Aronson, WD Holland President
Carla Aronson, and Aviva Melichi
Freddy Hollander, President of KH Holland,
and Naomi Livnat
Naomi Livnat and Erez Manheimer,
KH representative in Holland
In the presence of KH Director-General, Greg Masel, WD Holland
presented Mrs. Lily Korijn-Dormits from the Hague with the Lion of
Judah pin, in recognition of her long years of priceless work and
dedication to Israel through Keren Hayesod in general, and the
Women's Division in particular. The pin was bestowed upon Lily by
WD Holland President, Carla Aronson, at an intimate and emotional
ceremony in the presence of her family and close friends. Great
appreciation for everything Lily has done was expressed in several
touching speeches and notably, by Greg Masel.
Museum Trip
Marcelo Goldin, IWD Director,
giving LOJ certificate to Lily Korijn-Dormits
A visit to the Rijks Museum in Amsterdam and a guided tour of the “Asia in
Amsterdam: Exotic Luxury in the Golden Age” exhibit left the 40 participants
eager for more cultural events.
Training Workshop
Marcelo Goldin, IWD Director, visited
Amsterdam and led a workshop on
fundraising, giving lots of motivation
and inspiration.
Training workshop with Marcelo Goldin
Isha L'Isha
Hungary - Budapest
Winter Beauty
The “Winter Cosmetics” event at the
Israeli Cultural Institute brought together
potential donors and gave them the
opportunity to network, and of course, to
raise money for Israel. The event featured
three cosmetics companies – the Israeli
Seacret Spa company featuring natural
Dead Sea cosmetics, the French luxury
skincare products company Guinot, and
Aniko Ungár, WD President,
Donors check out Vera Markovics products
Vera Markovics, producer of natural,
interviews Ágnes Major of Guinot
handmade cosmetics. Aniko Ungár,
President of WD Hungary, interviewed them all. The guests enjoyed the warm and relaxed atmosphere and a
percentage of all sales was donated to WD.
Italy - Milan
Seeing Art from Budapest
A group of women that included several members of WD Milan enjoyed a guided tour of the Budapest Art
Museum. It offered the opportunity to socialize and discuss projects supported by WD.
Bar/Bat Mitzvah Project
Bar and bat mizvah youngsters were honored with special
certificates to thank them for donating to the “Give a mitzvah, do a
mitzvah” project to help needy kids in Israel celebrate their bar/bat
mitzvah at the Kotel.
L-R : Rav Arbib, Chief Rabbi of Milan;
Andrea Jarach, KH Italy President;
bar mitzva boys and a bat mitvzah girl;
Francesca Modiano, WD Milan President
Training Seminar
A training seminar led by Marcelo
Goldin, IWD Director, as well as oneto-one coaching, provided advanced
tools, a greater sense of empowerment
and enhanced motivation to raise
fundraising performance.
Giorgia Hassan and Ariella Telio Bueno
simulate a face-to-face fundraising pitch
Marcelo Goldin
Isha L'Isha
Women’s Food - Tech Mission
In March, 25 women, including eight first-time visitors, took part in the WD Italy "High-tech in Food" mission
to Israel. It included visits to the Strauss dairy factory, the BioBee factory on Kibbutz Sde Eliyahu and the
Technion, where the women got an overview of innovative food technologies and food process engineering
methods. "We met the real people that make Israel”, said Francesca Modiano, president of WD Milan, “like
the ‘grandfather of Israeli high-tech’ Yossi Vardi, writer Sami Michael, General Ram Shmueli, bio-agricultural
pioneer Mario Levi, and legendary Miriam Peretz, mother of two fallen soldiers.
Francesca Modiano, WD Milan
President, with biotech pioneer
Mario Levi in Kibbutz
Sde Eliyahu
At border police base
At biofood lab at the Technion
with Prof. Shpigelman
Francesca Modiano
with project trainee at
CNC training center
Campaign Opening
170 people attended the campaign opening in Milan
on March 17. Following a performance by an actress/
guitarist, journalist Giulio Meotti spoke about the
situation in Israel. IWD Vice-President for Europe,
Estrella Cohen, attended together with Bibina Chocron,
an activist from Spain.
The committee, L-R: Giorgia Hassan, Shirley Kohannan,
Sharon Blanga, Marlene Levi, Loulou Arazi, Judith Halfon,
Samantha Sabbadini, Carol Ross, Andrea Baron, Valentina Tesoro
and Francesca Modiano
L-R: Giorgia Hassan, Valentina Tesoro, Francesca
Modiano, Bibina Chocron, Estrella Cohen and
Judith Halfon
Francesca Modiano and
journalist Giulio Meotti
WD campaign opening
Isha L'Isha
Mexico - Mexico City
Changing of the Guard
Thalia Tartakovski, outgoing president of WD Mexico, handed the reins of leadership to her successor, Lisa
Torun Souroujon, at a special event that was graced with the presence of the president of the IWD, Nelly
de Bobrow, and honorary president of the IWD, Victoria Reimers. Also attending was the president of WD
Guatemala, Betty Torun, mother of the incoming president. This is the first time in history that a mother and
daughter are simultaneously presidents of two different Women's Divisions. The event concluded with a
very successful dinner at the home of Victoria Reimers.
Mother and daughter: Betty Torun,
WD Guatemala President, and
Lisa Torun Souroujon, WD Mexico
President
Thalia Tartakovski, former WD President;
Nelly de Bobrow, IWD President; Flor Khabie,
Marlene Galante and Lisa Torun Souroujon,
new WD President
Members of WD Mexico together with Nelly de Bobrow, IWD President
Standing: Flor Khabie, Marlene Galante
Sitting: Emma Adler, Victoria Reimers,
IWD Honorary President; Nelly de Bobrow IWD
President; Martha Flisser, LOJ Mexico President.
Campaign Opening
The 2016 campaign was launched with a talk by Israeli Ambassador to Mexico,
Jonathan Peled, who spoke about the current situation in Israel. Lisa Torun
Souroujon presented him with a certificate for a donation made in his honor
to Keren Hayesod's Fund for Victims of Terror. Rabbi Nisso Palti, spiritual
leader of the Sephardic community, gave a bracha to the activists and wished
them success in the campaign.
Lisa Torun Souroujon,
Ambassador Jonathan Peled
and Martha Flisser
Isha L'Isha
“Month of the Magbit”
WD Mexico has named
February the “Month of the
Magbit". During this month,
23 Mexican-Jewish voluntary
organizations raise funds for
Participants in the annual seminar
Keren Hayesod. Lisa Torun
Souroujon visited them all to
thank them for their support and present the projects WD is supporting this year.
Main speaker, Edi Lazar
February was also dedicated to education and activist motivation. About 60 activists took part in the annual
seminar, which focused on "Israel Today: New Challenges for Action in the Diaspora". The main talk was given by
Edi Lazar, who visited eight Jewish schools and spoke about hasbara to high school students.
Gabriel Bentasgal of Hatzad Hasheni discussed "Six Ways to Attack
Israel and the Jewish People” at a meeting with potential Lion of Judah
and Lev Chai donors.
Gabriel Ben-Tasgal, Thalia Tartakovski, Lisa Torun
Souroujon and Oscar Jaroslavsky
Sara Nayar and Cristina Rosenberg
Listening to the presentation by the
askaniot
Cristina Rosenberg and Sara Nayar, two very active askaniot, organized a series of programs on the
professionalizing of volunteerism and how to make effective fundraising calls.
Meeting with KH Professionals
Yoel Embon, director of the Latin America,
Spain and Portugal Division of KH, gave a
talk on the progress of the organization.
The WD board met with Greg Masel,
Director-General of Keren Hayesod, and
updated him on their work.
WD Mexico Board together with Greg Masel, Director-General of KH,
and Andy Wiesner, KH representative in Mexico
Isha L'Isha
South Africa - Cape Town
Lion of Judah Summer Tea
The Lion of Judah members in Cape Town gathered at Coffee Time in Astra Centre to listen to KH Honorary
President Julia Koschitzky, dynamic and inspiring activist, philanthropist and leader of Canadian and world
Jewry. Julia paid tribute to Jill Kaplan for recently receiving the Tiferet Lion of Judah award, noting that she
is the second woman, after Sheila Samson, in the Cape Town community to be so honored. In sharing her
experiences in community development, her local and global philanthropic interests, and her passion for her
family and the Jewish people, Julia left the women inspired and honored to be members of the Lion of Judah.
Together with Nina Kovensky and Patricia Fine, Julia welcomed two new Lions into the community – Helen Berger
and Connie Valkin.
Julia Koschitzky, KH Honorary President,
and Helen Berger
Julia Koschitzky and Vanessa Valkin
Nina Kovensky and Julia Koschitzky
Terry Locketz and Franki Cohen
Isha L'Isha
Spain - Madrid
Beauty and Facial Harmony
On 30 March, WD Madrid in conjunction with Dr. Moises Amselem's Clinic organized a lecture by the doctor
entitled: "In Search of Harmony and Facial Beauty". The participants had the honor of hearing Dr. Amsalem,
one of the experts in the field, discuss different methods of maintaining facial beauty and the importance of
personal care. The women received a gift of cosmetics and enjoyed a light meal provided by the clinic. The
proceeds of the event were dedicated to the Youth Futures project.
Top row L-R: Dani Alaluf, KH Director of Training and Development and Young Leadership,
Liliana Ajuelos, Nina Cohen, Ethy Serfaty, Caroline Gozlan, Bibiña Chocron, Moisés Amselem,
Esther Hassan, Ruth Allende, Paola Azulay, Carol Bengualid and Sarah Benazerraf
Bottom row L-R: Tuny Cohen, Eva Levy, IWD Vice President for Europe Estrella Cohen,
Luchi Amselem, Nelly Levy and Camille Halioua
Singing and Dancing with Einat Saruf
WD Madrid organized the opening event of the
KH Madrid campaign at the beginning of the
year. 260 people participated in what was an
authentic Israeli gala, and danced to the rhythm
of songs by leading Israeli performer Einat
Saruf. Addressing an audience that included
community leaders, activists, KH volunteers
in Spain and the Director-General of KH, Greg
Masel, Israeli Ambassador Daniel Kutner spoke
about the importance of KH to Israel and the
Jewish people.
L-R: The wife of the Ambassador, Shirley Kutner, Monique Hatchwell,
Tuny Cohen, WD President Estrella Cohen, Esther Benatar,
Mimi Benzaquen, Marilyn Bengualid, Clara Israel, Dafna Chocron
and Nina Cohen
Isha L'Isha
Switzerland - Geneva
Fifty women took part in a WD Geneva cake decorating contest hosted by Michèle Safra at her home. They
enjoyed every minute of it! Tombola tickets were sold to support the Jerusalem Youth Futures project. Each
ticket was a winner and all the women left happy and eagerly awaiting the next event!
L-R: Roberta Belfer, Eliana Wainberg, Dani Safdie,
Florence Kattan, Deborah Cohen, WD Geneva President
Sharon Lagnado, Levanah Muller and Michèle Safra
Participants at the cake decorating contest
Isha L'Isha
Venezuela - Caracas
Sukkot talk with Mario Nassi
Many guests crowded into the Hebraica sukkah to hear to Mario Nassi discuss Jewish history and philosophy.
He noted that the Tanakh records the shortcomings of the Jewish people, because we learn from mistakes
and can make the world a better place to live in. That is the great contribution of the Jewish people to Western
culture, he said, along with encouraging debate – a trait that has made the presence of Jews uncomfortable
for dictatorships.
He also spoke about the miracle that enabled a people decimated by the Holocaust to build the State of
Israel, and stressed the central role of education in Israel, noting that the first institutions to be established
were universities and research centers, along with civil and political institutions.
Weekly Meetings
WD ladies meet weekly to evaluate past activities and schedule new ones. A current project seeks to
cultivate a group of young women activists.
An enthusiastic audience
WD Venezuela President Rosita Toledano
and Mario Nassi
Standing L-R: Eva Abadi, Nelly Puterman, Erika Weininger, Rosita
Toledano WD President, Nir Ben Levy President of KH Venezuela,
Renee Sternberg, Esther Chocron WD Vice President,
Lydya Kattan, Sarita Kuperstein, Anny Gottfried, Simi Bentata
and WD Vice President Sylvia Cohen.
Sitting: Flora Serfaty de Cohen z”l and Mario Nassi