Wizo.co.uk - caring for the people of Israel

Facts and Figures

A Modern Jewish Women's Movement

WIZO is an international women's movement with more than 250,000 members belonging to Federations in over 50 countries and raising funds for 800 different projects and services throughout Israel. For the past 85 years WIZO has been at the forefront in the provision of social welfare in Israel in partnership with the Government of the day.

• WIZO operates a $100 million budget and is among the 70 largest employers in Israel.
• One in eight families in Israel benefits from WIZO.
• WIZO provides long-term solutions so that children today will not become the fourth generation in the cycle of poverty. The emphasis is on education and vocational training at all levels, not only for youngsters but for adults too.
• Israel can no longer provide the welfare services it once did. The massive influx of new immigrants, the insecurity caused by the intifada and the crash of both the technology and tourism sectors has contributed to impoverishing the economy. Israel is now struggling to provide for her poor.
• Not only the poor are suffering. Many middle class Israelis are also falling into dire straits. WIZO is urgetly trying to cope with the surge in demand for its vital social welfare projects. WIZO is now more often feeding whole families and there is an increase in stress and violence in these families due to the Intifada and the poverty situation. WIZO serves more than 900,000 meals a month.
• WIZO's doors are open to all citizens including Arab Israelis (Haifa), Bedouins (women's centre), Druze and Circassian people.
• WIZO.uk is today helping to make a real difference to families in Israel through its 10,000 committed members and supporters, who pursue these goals through fundraising and educational initiatives.
• WIZO.uk projects are today targeted at the most vulnerable sections of society and respond directly to their specific needs, thereby giving its members the opportunity to identify with and make a real difference to the quality of life of Israeli women and their families.
• WIZO is vital to building a successful Jewish state, whereby all Israelis can live with the basic necessities of life...health, dignity and hope.