WIZO UK leaders met President Herzog, the father of a hostage, and beneficiaries of its many welfare projects during a week in Israel.
During a week-long trip to Israel, WIZO UK leaders met with President Herzog, the father of a hostage, and individuals benefiting from its various welfare projects.
The group – which included Leeds-born UK Interim Chair Danielle Shane and Chief Operations Officer Nicky Miller – visited sites including WIZO’s rocket-proof day care centre in Sderot, less than a mile from Gaza. If the rocket sirens sound, the children can continue playing safely.
Almost everyone they encountered had a connection to a victim of the Hamas attacks, a hostage or an IDF soldier killed in action.
The need for trauma counselling has risen dramatically and WIZO has responded to the crisis by training over 1,500 professionals “to treat personal and collective trauma in the family unit.”
The group’s visit was part of the international organisation’s Meeting of Representatives, the first global gathering of WIZO leaders in Israel since the October 7th attacks.
As the “mother federation” of WIZO, the UK chair traditionally delivers the closing remarks. And addressing delegates from the 20 federations in attendance, Danielle recounted many moving moments during the week, such as visiting the site of the Nova music festival, where so many young people were killed or abducted.
She concluded that participants were returning to their countries with “determination, greater awareness of the increased needs and optimism for a better and brighter future.”
