Finding Shelter

Posted on September 20, 2018 by Jennifer

Every day, we encounter people without knowing their stories. Where they came from; the home they grew up in; the care they received. We often do not realize the traumas that many have gone through, like Adam and his mother, whose lives were saved by a WIZO Shelter for Battered Women.

World WIZO, with the support of CHW, operates two shelters that can accommodate 12 women and 25 children each. The shelters have social workers, psychologists, an expert in sexual trauma, legal aid support, and job training. The utmost is done to provide an escape for these women and children and to enable them to rebuild their lives.

Read Adam and his mother’s story and learn about the life-saving impact that World WIZO, together with CHW, has on everyday people’s lives.

Click here to read the article.

Saving Women through the Men’s Helpline

Posted on August 30, 2018 by Jennifer

CHW, together, with World WIZO, is dedicated to the prevention of violence against women. One major way that this is achieved is through the crisis helpline for men that is operated by World WIZO.

The helpline, the only one of its kind in Israel, assists men who are violent in equipping them with the tools and skills to deal with their feelings in a manner that is not aggressive.

Ron is one of these men who turned to this helpline for support when he was at his lowest.

Ron loved his wife; however, he had a severe temper that he could not control. He would have violent outbursts and hit his wife. After, he would feel such deep regret and remorse; promising this would not happen again.

Ron knew that he needed help but he did not know where, or who, to turn to. Ron was also so ashamed of himself. Ron discovered the WIZO Men’s Helpline.

Ron called to the helpline and shared what he was going through. With the support of trained volunteers, Ron was guided along a therapeutic process that aided him to find healthy outlets of expressing himself. In a judgement-free environment, Ron was given advice on ways that he could combat his violence.

Today, Ron is proud to be in control of his emotions and physical reactions. He no longer is abusive and continues to work, every day, on overcoming his issues.

The numbers speak for themselves: an estimated 200,000 women in Israel are victims of domestic violence. Through this crisis helpline, violent behaviour is prevented or stopped helping to reduce the number of victims and stopping the problem at the root!

Click here to read the original article.

Featured Article: Oshra Broke the Glass Ceiling: “Every Woman Should Get a Chance”

Posted on July 11, 2018 by Jennifer

CHW is so excited to share this incredible story about Oshra Yosef-Friedman, graduate of CHW Hadassim Children and Youth Village!

June 27, 2018 version of Israel Hayom

The below article was translated from the June 27, 2018 version of Israel Hayom

Oshra Broke the Glass Ceiling: “Every Woman Should Get a Chance”

Oshra Yosef-Friedman was appointed to the highest position an Ethiopian woman has ever held within the Office of Government Ministries and National Authorities: Deputy Director General of the Authority for the Advancement of the Status of Women • Friedman: “It is a great honor for me”

Article by: Noam (Dvol) Dvir

Photo Credit: Gideon Agza

Oshra Yosef-Friedman, married and the mother of three children, a member of the Ethiopian community, was born in the village of Ozba in Ethiopia, the youngest child in a family with nine children who immigrated to Israel as part of Operation Moses. Now that she has been chosen as the deputy director general of the Authority for the Advancement of the Status of Women, she will serve in the most senior position to have ever been filled by a member of the Ethiopian community within the Office of Government Ministries and National Authorities.

Yosef-Friedman lived with her family in the absorption center in Ashkelon and later in Netanya. She completed her high school education at the CHW Hadassim Youth Village. She then served as an officer in the Education Corps and was a member of the roundtable forum established by the Police Commissioner following an Ethiopian immigrant protest.

“I went through the entire process, but when I got the phone call I was surprised because I did not take anything for granted … I think that whoever looks at the appointment sees that the government and policy makers open doors to equal appointments and give everyone a chance. In my view, any woman who can and wants to reach roles or fulfill dreams must have the opportunity, and that is the challenge that stands before me. It is a great honor to join a high quality team. ”

Minister of Social Equality Gila Gamliel insisted that her office would guarantee at least two senior positions for Ethiopian women: “The appointment of Oshra Yosef-Friedman, an inspiring leader, is another expression of the social equality revolution we have been leading in Israel for three years.” Among the main functions of the Authority for the Advancement of the Status of Women (a unit within the Ministry for Social Equality) is to raise awareness and to make social and awareness-raising changes in gender equality. Recently, the Authority has even launched a campaign, which calls on women to compete in elections for the public authorities and to influence Israeli society. This year, more than 70 women will run for municipal elections.

According to Ava Medzhibuz, Director-General of the Authority for the Advancement of the Status of Women: “Oshra Yosef-Friedman has turned social activity into her calling card at a very young age. The topics dealt with are those on the agenda of the Authority for the Advancement of the Status of Women. The ability to strengthen the personal and economic situation of women through education, employment and promotion of positions of influence, rather than through allowances that perpetuate poverty and dependence on the system. This is our worldview and its approval is an important partner for its implementation. I look forward to the beginning of our joint work.

Check out a video about Oshra that World WIZO posted on their Facebook page below:

WIZO Graduate Oshra Yosef Friedman's Story

Wonderful news: Oshra Yosef Friedman, a graduate of WIZO's CHW Hadassim Youth Village and of WIZO's Leadership Program for Women was just appointed to be the Deputy Director-General of the Authority for the Advancement of the Status of Women. The appointment is the highest ranking position within the Offices of the Goverment and National Authorities ever attained for a woman of Ethiopian descent. Born in Ethiopia and the youngest of nine children, Friedman came to Israel with her family as a child during Operation Moses. Now married and the mother of three, the 40 year old Friedman told Yisrael Hayom, "Every woman that wants to achieve should get the opportunitiy to do so – and that's the challenge for us. It is a great honor for me to take on such a meaningful position." Enjoy this video of Oshra in WIZO's Leadership Program. Canadian Hadassah-WIZO (CHW) כפר הנוער ויצו הדסים ויצו – קידום מעמד האישה

Posted by World WIZO on Wednesday, June 27, 2018

Assaf Harofeh Medical Center’s Amazing Female Team!

Posted on May 18, 2018 by Jennifer

CHW proudly supports women who are doing remarkable things for society!

Meet Dr. Inbar Hartman, one of these incredible women! Dr. Hartman is a Specialist in Pediatric Neurology and is the Chairperson of the Assaf Harofeh Child Protection Committee.

Recently, Dr. Hartman, along with her colleagues, Ortal Fadida, social worker, and Maya Cooper, organized a conference in partnership with the Haruv Institute to help deal with different areas of abuse and neglect among children who have special needs.

The motivation for this conference arose following the discovery of a frequency of cases of abuse and neglect in children with special needs. Dr. Hartman has dedicated herself to fight and eradicate this issue. She shares, “Abuse is a form of illness as far as children’s diseases are concerned and should not be ignored under any circumstances. The key to successful treatment of children with special needs is early identification. It is important to keep an eye open for suspicious signs of intentional sabotage, neglect or injury to the child, and follow the procedures, along with reporting to the appropriate authorities.” Dr. Hartman and the Committee are seeking to prevent such abuses and ensure to help children who are themselves helpless.

Assaf Harofeh Medical Center along with Dr. Hartman and the team at the hospital are devoted to doing their utmost to find and treat these children in order to bring about real, positive change.

Domestic Violence in Real Life

Posted on April 18, 2018 by Jennifer

Every day, thousands of women suffer from domestic violence. This year in Israel, 12,000 women were treated for abuse in battered women’s centers across Israel.

CHW, along with World WIZO, are leaders in advocating for women’s rights and issues. Both CHW and World WIZO stand for the advancement of women in all aspects of society; aiming our efforts towards helping women living with domestic violence, single mothers, girls-at-risk, and empowering women to become leaders.

That is why we were so connected to this impactful time-lapse video that shows the visual impact of domestic violence on its victim through taking a selfie a day.

While the video is a parody originally created for a Croatian audience, it has had a universal impact and been widely received for the harsh truth it illustrates.

The main message it aims to share is that we must take an active role in preventing domestic violence and the need for intervention.

For more than 100 years, CHW has proudly worked together with World WIZO in supporting women shelters that help victims of domestic violence escape the dangerous world they are in and regain their freedoms.

Canadian Hadassah-WIZO (CHW)

Passionately supports programs and services for Children, Healthcare and Women in Israel and Canada.

CHW Weekly Stories

Tag Archives: women