The Women’s International Zionist Organization

Women's International ZionistToday’s foundation spotlight is on the Women’s International Zionist Organization (WIZO), a nonprofit comprised entirely of volunteers across more than fifty countries focusing their efforts on the social welfare of Israeli society and all of its sectors as well as advancing the status of women and promoting Jewish education in Israel. The organization remains the country’s largest provider of social welfare services.

WIZO was established back in 1920 in Great Britain and was officially recognized in 1959 by the United Nations as a non-governmental organization. It was also the first Zionist organization to receive consultative status at the United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund (perhaps better known its UNICEF acronym) and Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).

In the 1980s WIZO established its American branch designed to strengthen ties and provide funds to its Israel-based projects. Today the organization operates more than 750 social welfare programs focused on things like homes for girls in distress, child care centers, battered women shelters, and elderly services. In 2008, the organization was awarded the Israel Prize for its societal contributions and lifetime achievements.

For more information on the Women’s International Zionist Organization, visit http://www.wizo.org/.

This foundation featured on The Jills Giving is one of the many unique foundations supported by The Jills team which includes Jill Eber, Jill Hertzberg, Hillary Hertzberg, Danny Hertzberg, and Felise Eber. The Jills team strongly believes in giving back and we encourage you to visit The Jills Giving website to learn more about the various foundations we support as well as a little bit about the team.