By Deb Silverthorn

Members of the Women’s International Zionist Organization Dallas traveled to Israel earlier this year with the spirit of “Shalom Y’all” in their back pockets. WIZO Dallas’ Founding Chair Susan Hollander, Vice-chair Kelsey Grinstein and Board Members Carolyn Nosnik, Robin Radusky, Sarina Schick and Stephanie Vidikan attended their first WIZO International Meeting of the Representatives Jan. 19-23. The experience was a celebratory gathering of the highest order.

A passion-filled week found the women visiting youth villages in the north and Hostage Square in Tel Aviv, where they heard from Dani Miran, the father of hostage Omri Miran. They went to Sderot, to the site of the Nova Festival, to a WIZO bombproof day care center and to a WIZO therapy center. The group delivered hundreds of notes from Dallas-area day school students to Israel Defense Forces soldiers at a WIZO-sponsored barbecue.

“Everywhere we went there were heroes. It was a moving experience,” said Hollander. “WIZO is a sisterhood and sharing these moments invigorated us further. I’ve been to Israel many times, but the emotion of this trip was something else.”

In Jerusalem, they attended a ceremony with Yaakov Hagoel, chair of the World Zionist Organization at Har Herzl. The Dallasites paid tribute to Sergeant Binyamin Meir Airley, of blessed memory, the fallen grandson of Dallas’ Julie Wolk. They met with Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz, the chief rabbi of the Kotel; visited WIZO Jerusalem headquarters; and met with Israeli President Isaac Herzog, whose mother and grandmother were WIZO devotees.

Dallas’ delegation made an impression on WIZO’s national and international leadership.

“The Dallas women are serious, passionate and creating something very special. They own the work they do and are hands-on with the tangible,” said Anat Vidor, World WIZO president. “We’re seeing results quickly. It’s quite impressive. They have a conviction to their heritage and to making a difference and they’re loyal to the mission.”

Ruthy Benoliel, who serves as WIZO USA co-president with Mireille Manocherian, expects to see members of the Dallas chapter leading the organization as a whole in the coming years.

“WIZO Dallas is an inspiration to all of us. They have ideas and make them happen. They define teamwork,” said Benoliel. “These ladies have little children and jobs, yet they made all the arrangements and took off for Israel. It’s not easy to do but they support each other and they have the support of their husbands at home.

“Their dedication to the community, to Israel, empowers them to help us rebuild and to do so with resilience,” she added. “They understand the need. They are the future of our organization, the future for Israel.”

WIZO activists in 38 countries, and thousands of volunteers in Israel, support children in day care centers, youth villages, schools and boarding institutions, educating and rehabilitating Israel’s most vulnerable youth, providing safe havens for victims of domestic violence, managing Israel’s largest secondhand clothing chain, operating a home for the elderly and more.

“I’ve known the work of WIZO all of my life. I’ve always seen how amazing and needed the support is,” said Grinstein, whose mother is a board member of WIZO Florida. “It’s now full circle that I’ve helped this chapter from the start, from observer to active leadership at this time when our efforts are so needed.

“Getting our hands into whatever has to be done, being involved in the immediate needs, is what we’re here for,” she said. “We’re on it.”

The Dallas chapter launched in January 2024 with an informational session at the Hollander home, followed by an event in May at Cantoni furnishings.  The group’s first fundraiser was held in November with food influencer Ruhama Shitrit at Congregation Shaare Tefilla. Funds were raised which aided in renovating the WIZO day care center sensory room at Hadassah Hospital.

“I was in Israel on Oct. 7 and I had to do something. I went on the Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas mission, then to a parlor meeting for WIZO and was hooked,” said Schick, WIZO Dallas event chair. “It’s unlike any other organization reaching the children, soldiers, women, elderly and the hospitals. WIZO’s help is everywhere.

“During this trip we saw our efforts in-person: the provision of new life, of safe places, of the WIZO day care sensory room our chapter is renovating,” Schick said. “We can’t do enough. I’m honored to work alongside everyone in this dynamic group and I encourage others to join us, to donate, to be a part of WIZO Dallas.”

For information about WIZO Dallas, email wizodallas@gmail.com or go to @wizodallas on Instagram. To donate, visit tinyurl.com/WIZO-Dallas-donate.