Canadian Hadassah-WIZO

Help break the cycle

Canadian Hadassah-WIZO’s S.O.S. – Starting Over Safely campaign is 27 hours long, beginning at 9 a.m. PT on Aug. 23. (photo by Mickey Noam Alon)

With the COVID-19 government shutdowns and mandatory quarantines, domestic violence has increased significantly across the globe over the past two years. The drastic increase in intimate partner and domestic abuse has been coined the “Shadow Pandemic” by the United Nations.

In Canada, one woman is killed in a violent act every two-and-a-half days. According to the provincial ministry for public safety and Statistics Canada, every year in British Columbia there are more than 60,000 physical or sexual assaults against women – almost all of them committed by men.

In Israel, the situation is just as critical. In the first year of the pandemic, 20,140 domestic violence complaints were lodged with police, an increase of 12% from the previous year. Twelve women were murdered in the first six months of this year.

In accordance with its mission, Canadian Hadassah-WIZO (CHW) is working to empower women by stepping up emergency support and services at this critical time. CHW is launching the second annual S.O.S. – Starting Over Safely summer campaign, with proceeds helping empower victims of domestic violence in Canada and Israel.

One of the most frightening things about domestic abuse is that half of the women murdered by their partners never experienced physical violence before. Domestic violence can happen to anyone, anywhere, anytime. This year, through a new partnership with Michal Sela Forum, CHW is also promoting an awareness campaign to help women understand the warning signs in a relationship.

S.O.S. – Starting Over Safely 2022 has three campaign priorities, including Franny’s Fund in Canada, and WIZO programs and the Michal Sela Forum in Israel. The following campaign goals are intended to empower at-risk women and children to break the cycle of violence in Canada and Israel:

Provide help for parents and families in need of an urgent response;
Provide access to critical resources such as legal counsel and counseling services;
Provide women and their children with the basic essentials to start over safely;
Empower women and their children by providing financial help, social and personal support, employment support, and access to a network of other women in similar circumstances;
Provide women and their children with specially trained canine protection; and
Fund respite summer camp experiences for at-risk youth.

“CHW strongly believes that every human being deserves the right to achieve their full potential, while living in safety and security. You have the power to empower,” said Lisa Colt-Kotler, CHW chief executive officer.

The 2022 fundraising goal is $350,000. All funds donated will be matched three more times by a community of dedicated donors recognized as “Matching Heroes” during the 27-hour campaign, which kicks off at 9 a.m. PT on Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2022. During the crowdfunding period, each gift donated on the website chwsos.ca is quadrupled.

To donate or learn more, visit chwsos.ca.

– Courtesy Canadian Hadassah-WIZO

CHW’s Fashion Blooms

As part of Fashion Blooms on March 31, Canadian journalist, media personality and fashion entrepreneur Jeanne Beker, left, will interview Israel’s Sharon Tal, head designer of Maskit. (photos from CHW)

Canadian Hadassah-WIZO (CHW) presents the second annual Fashion Blooms on March 31. The national virtual fundraising event – highlighting innovation, sustainability and the future of Israeli fashion – will feature Canadian journalist, media personality and fashion entrepreneur Jeanne Beker interviewing Sharon Tal, head designer of Maskit.

Israel fashion house Maskit was conceived in 1954 by then-designer Ruth Dayan, as a contemporary luxury clothing brand. Known for its intricate ethnic embroidery, Maskit was revolutionary in advancing economic opportunities and bridging cultural divides by employing thousands of Jewish, Arab and Bedouin women artisans. Since Tal took over the helm in 2014, she and Maskit have launched collections that are shown internationally and adored by celebrities. One of Tal’s latest designs, a peacock-embroidered caftan, was created in close collaboration with Sarah Jessica Parker and featured in the first episode of And Just Like That, the HBO revival of Sex and the City. Tal continues to honour and innovate, revitalizing a brand while earning plaudits for Maskit’s designs.

“As the former head of embroidery at Alexander McQueen and intern under Alber Elbaz at Lanvin, Sharon’s appreciation for tradition is matched only by her diligence and willingness to reinvent,” said Beker, event emcee. “She has what it takes to build upon the Maskit dynasty while also creating a legacy of her own.”

Fashion Blooms is also the Canadian debut of two trailblazing female fashion designers based out of Tel Aviv: Maya Reik Belfer, founder and designer of Marei1998, a luxury brand focused on sustainability and eco-conscious materials; and Danit Peleg, founder and creative director of Danit Peleg, known for its disruptive and innovative approach that is revolutionizing the fashion industry through open-source designs and 3D printed technologies.

Restrictions permitting, CHW centres across the country will host VIP invitation-only in-person viewing parties for Fashion Blooms. The virtual event will include an exclusive online auction, featuring fashion accessories and luxury brands, and an online vendor marketplace for a virtual shopping experience.

To register, participants can visit chw.ca/fashion-blooms. Tickets start at $40. Fashion Blooms proceeds support the CHW Neri Bloomfield Academy of Design in Haifa, Israel, supporting student scholarships and ultramodern equipment to enhance the future of the Israeli fashion industry.

The CHW Neri Bloomfield Academy of Design awards academic degrees in a wide variety of creative fields, including graphic design, architecture and fashion. This institution is building academic excellence and becoming an influencer and innovator in the world of design. It nurtures individual creativity among its pluralistic student body while instilling a sense of community and coexistence.

For more information, contact Rebecca Bowslaugh, CHW director of marketing and communications, at [email protected] or 416-477-5964, ext. 111.

CHW is a non-political, nonpartisan national network of volunteers and professionals who believe that the advancement of education, healthcare and social services transcends politics, religion and national boundaries. Over the last century, CHW has been involved in all aspects of Israeli life, supporting women, children and families in Israel and here in Canada. Learn more about CHW at chw.ca.

– Courtesy Canadian Hadassah-WIZO

2018 CHW campaign begins

Canadian Hadassah-WIZO’s 2018 annual campaign, Come Together, Right Now, began on March 1 in support of various CHW projects. This pillar of CHW’s fundraising efforts provides $1.5 million in support of children, healthcare and women in Israel and Canada.

CHW is a non-political, nonpartisan national network of dedicated volunteers and professionals who believe that the advancement of childcare, education, healthcare and women’s issues transcends politics, religion and national boundaries.

Over the last century, CHW has been involved in all aspects of Israeli life, supporting women, children and families around the world. CHW’s support has strengthened, and continues to strengthen, the very fabric of Israeli society.

“I can give you 161,453 reasons to be proud of being a donor to Canadian Hadassah-WIZO (CHW),” said Debbie Eisenberg, CHW national president. “It’s really quite simple: this is the number of lives CHW positively impacted in Israel just this past year. This is the difference you made through your generous support of CHW.”

“For me, the theme for this year’s annual campaign encompasses everything that our supporters do for CHW,” said Alina Ianson, CHW national executive director. “Each person has their own reason for supporting the work of CHW, but when we come together, we make a statement about our belief in endorsing the mission of CHW.”

For information on the projects CHW supports, and to contribute to the Come Together, Right Now campaign, visit chw.ca.

Making an impact in Israel

Canadian Hadassah-WIZO’s 2015 annual campaign, “Big needs, caring hearts,” is underway in support of projects in Israel. This pillar of CHW’s fundraising provides $1.42 million in aid to children in CHW’s six day-care centres, at-risk youth at CHW’s four schools, women and seniors at CHW’s two community centres, and helps those seeking medical care at CHW’s two hospitals. In Canada, CHW supports Canadian Young Judaea summer camps.

“For me, the theme for this year’s annual campaign encompasses everything that our donors and volunteers do for CHW,” said Claudia Goldman, CHW national president. “Each has their own personal story for why they support the precious work of CHW. And, together, they make a statement about their strong belief in supporting the Jewish people by engaging in the mission of CHW, which shows what huge hearts they all have.”

Donations received through the campaign make a difference for those in CHW’s care. For almost 100 years, the organization has ensured that immediate needs are met by continually reviewing the pressing issues concerning those served by CHW projects and delivering solutions.

An example of this is the new French Na’aleh program. Youth from French-speaking countries (many times those who have faced mounting antisemitism in their home countries) have found a haven at CHW’s Hadassim dormitory school, allowing these students to focus on their studies in a secure environment. Eli, a student in the program from Paris, said, “Since being at CHW Hadassim, I no longer hide my Jewish heritage. At home, I could not go out in public with my Star of David necklace on. Here, I wear it proudly and with confidence.”

With the help of donors and friends, CHW works to improve the lives of children, women and families who are battling hunger, illness, domestic violence and other complex issues.

One additional way to support the work of CHW is to attend a mission to Israel. One such trip leaves Canada on April 20, bringing CHW members and friends to Israel for a 10-day visit. Over the course of the trip, the mission aims to provide participants with a better understanding of what CHW has accomplished in its nearly 100-year history, while bringing to light the challenges that face Israelis today. A mission highlight will be experiencing Yom Hazikaron and celebrating Yom Ha’atzmaut alongside their Israeli brothers and sisters.

This is the first mission led by Goldman, the newly elected national president. Over her two-year term, Goldman will concentrate on partnership through three components: Israel, volunteers and donors. She said, “My vision for CHW is based on the belief that each child we help is a life changed. Each woman we support is a life improved for the better. Each family we impact becomes strengthened. CHW makes it possible to fulfil the dream of making the world a better place, and we will continue to reach this goal by working hand-in-hand with our partners in Israel, our volunteers and donors. CHW’s mission to Israel enables us to foster these relationships.”

CHW is a leading Jewish women’s philanthropic organization. Founded in 1917, CHW is nonpartisan, volunteer driven and funds a multitude of programs and projects for children, health care and women in Israel and Canada. With a membership of 10,000, CHW has offices in more than 40 locations across Canada. For more information, visit chw.ca or contact Alina Ianson, CHW national executive director, at [email protected].