Women taking the lead Special Edition for the 26th World World WIZO WIZO EGM Organization and Tourism Division Issue #116 Table of Contents January 2016 And G-d Created Woman 4 Dear Chavera, On behalf of the World WIZO Organization and Tourism Division I would like to welcome the delegates of the 26th World WIZO EGM (Enlarged General Meeting). Women Should Be Seen and Heard 5 This hallmark event is entitled “Women Taking the Lead” – reflecting the predominant role WIZO women have played since 1920 and continue to play in advancing Israeli society. It promises to be an stimulating and meaningful week, a time to share ideas, network with friends old and new and experience the Letter to Golda 6 power of our extraordinary women’s movement which keeps the State of Israel, the “Start-Up Nation” in social innovation. It is Never Too Late to Live Your Dream 8 Nothing stirs our imagination and tugs at our heart strings more than those real-life, inspirational and life altering stories about ordinary people doing extraordinary things. In this edition of our Lapid magazine we share with you Paying it Forward 10 compelling and touching stories of women from all walks of life, who have made an exceptional contribution to Israeli society, and who are providing strong role models for future generations. Farewell to the Wrong Side of the Mechitzah 12 By shining the spotlight on these remarkable and trailblazing women; the challenges they have faced and the choices they have made we can share their wisdom, motivate and inspire others to act. The Collective Power of WIZO 14 With warm WIZO regards, Women Taking the Lead and (Re) Visioning the Future 16 Janine Gelley Chairperson, Organization and Tourism Division World WIZO Issue #116 Edited by: Rolene Marks, Lisa Moss-Phillips Editor-in-Chief: Janine Gelley, Chairperson, World WIZO Organization and Tourism Division Graphic design: www.say-brand.com “And G-d Created Woman….” Women Should be Seen and Heard By Bat-Zion Susskind-Sacks Interview with Hana Rado By Lisa Moss-Phillips The story of creation recounted in the Torah perfect hostess until he fell asleep. She Hana Rado, one of the most respected Hana Rado who has is miraculous. Eve, the woman, “Mother of then drove a tent peg through his temple people in the advertising business is all living things” is the final handiwork of and he died. working towards making Israel a better never described herself that miracle and probably the greatest of place. Beside her official job as chief them all. To be the giver of the gift of Life It is Esther’s, another celebrated heroine operating officer of the Tel Aviv branch of as a feminist but rather is the greatest blessing, the ultimate bliss. of the Jewish people, astute and brave global advertising agency McCann, she The Tanach speaks highly of the strength diplomacy coupled with her wisdom has become a social entrepreneur and a person who is aware and the virtues of women. Throughout it of the heart that we acclaim each year crusader for women’s rights and gender are strewn many stories and tales of their during Purim. With the help of her equality. of gender differences is wisdom, their deep intuition, sensitivity uncle Mordechai, Esther won King and divine inspiration. Achashverosh’s heart. It is reasonable to Four years ago embodying the pioneering changing the reality assume that it was probably more the spirit of David Ben-Gurion and his vision of we live One of the most unsung heroines of result of a calculated strategic move making the ‘desert bloom’ she launched the Torah is Miriam. How many of us aimed at ensuring the safety of her McCann Valley, a digital advertising and remember her as the one who saved Jewish people than it was her love for a media hub in the Negev Desert town and sitting on speaker panels when she a goal that goes beyond speaker panels her brother, Moses, the greatest leader King that was not known for his wisdom. of Mitzpe Ramon, together with the was invited to a conference to speak and aims to achieve 50% representation the Jewish people have ever had? Her intuition guided Esther in what was assistance of McCann Worldwide and about women in advertising earlier in the for women on corporate boards, in The Biblical female role Was it not for Miriam’s unwavering a very perilous and unfamiliar political Michal Romi, a local entrepreneur and year. She discovered to her dismay that government posts and on conference and never faltering perseverance, terrain. Even though she knew that that editor of the culture magazine Route40. of 220 speakers on the agenda only 22 lineups. models have been an endurance and hope which ensured approaching the king without being Home to the world’s largest natural were female. Conference organizers she that he who would bring redemption summoned carried the penalty of death, crater (“Israel’s Grand Canyon”) and one approached across Israel confirmed that Raising awareness inspiration to many to her people lived to fulfill his destiny? she did eventually approach him. Through of the most beautiful places in Israel this few women are included in professional In addition to launching Persona, Rado Was it not the courageous and brave an ingenious plan, after piqueing the isolated town is also one of the poorest in panels, so she decided to take action and has spearheaded a large-scale effort to modern day Jewish Miriam who, after Moses and the children king’s curiosity and soothing Haman’s the country, known for its high levels of as a result, Persona was born. raise awareness about the lack of women’s leaders, both men of Israel sang their song, acted as a ego and gaining the trust of both, she unemployment. Today this agency which representation in speaker lineups. Her cheerleader to infuse valor, liveliness and was able to call out Haman’s conspiracy offers offer new media services for small Together with five cofounders she group has actively campaigned against and women and to deeper faith in G-d among the children and get the king to side with her. and medium businesses all over Israel., launched Persona, the non-profit database conferences where women are under- of Israel? The Torah tells us that “Miriam The Biblical female role models have including the management of Facebook on March 8, 2015 International Women’s represented, often contacting high-level the tradition that has the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took been an inspiration to many modern day and Twitter campaigns (in Hebrew, Arabic, Day. Persona lists nearly 800 Israeli women attendees to inform them of the event’s the tambourine in her hand; and all the Jewish leaders, both men and women and and Russian); branding and design services; qualified to speak on panels on a wide gender gap. They also fly banners with produced many front women followed her with tambourines to the tradition that has produced many building of websites; and social-media variety of professional topics. The Persona slogans such as “She has all the qualities to and dances. And Miriam called to them: front runners in many fields. The miracle advertising campaigns, has 40 employees, profile is a woman with a management be a speaker except one thing—she’s not runners in many fields. ‘Sing to G-d, for He is most exalted; horse of Jewish survival owes much to these half of which have relocated to the desert and or entrepreneurship track record man enough.” and rider He cast in the sea...’” A true muse! women and their legacy. town. The company is constantly growing along with public-speaking experience. The miracle of Jewish Deborah, the first judge who “held court and hiring more people with the aim Each woman approved by the committee Hana Rado who has never described survival owes much under the palm,” was another Biblical Bat-Zion Susskind-Sacks - Bat-Zion, of building the payroll to 120 by 2018, in receives her own page with her herself as a feminist but rather a person heroine who has inspired many Jewish Hebrew for “Daughter of Zion”grew up the hope of changing Mitzpe Ramon’s educational and professional background, who is aware of gender differences is to these women and women over the ages. Deborah was also in Israel in the nineteen fifties and sixties, secluded reality. Traditionally the Negev’s an ‘I believe’ statement, a short description changing the reality we live. Determined a prophetess and a warrior. During her the daughter of Holocaust survivors. best and brightest have left the region for of issues she would like to address, links to to close society’s gender gap her their legacy time, the Israelites were oppressed by She served in the IDF and then moved Tel Aviv and Jerusalem after graduating her social media and contact information. entrepreneurial initiatives are sending the people of Canaan. She declared a to the USA to further her studies. Bat- high school. This venture is a small but Israeli society a clear message - women revolt against them and as she correctly Zion has lived more than half of her life significant step in reversing this brain The database continues to grow as each must be seen and heard. predicted, the Israelites won. outside Israel, in the USA, New Zealand drain, drawing professionals away from “Persona” is encouraged to recommend and Great Britain. She returned to her Israel’s center and into the Negev, boosting another “Persona” within her professional The victory over the Canaanites would not homeland with a rejuvenated love and business and infrastructure.