‘Vital projects to heal trauma’

The WIZO Victoria Gala at Carousel on August 14 was a sold out event focused on the theme “When courage speaks”.

Co-president Hani Hanam-Papalia noted WIZO’s role as one of Israel’s largest welfare organisations: “For over 105 years we have been there in every stage of life, in every crisis, when Israel has been attacked. Our appeal is simple and urgent – to complete the vital projects that will heal trauma and keep families safe.”

WIZO Victoria is fundraising for initiatives including trauma therapy for children, families and reservists and bomb shelters for childcare centres that have a sensory-motor room.

“We have completed almost 50 bomb shelters, but the job is far from over. Every childcare centre in a high-risk area must be made safe and new shelters built where none exist,” Hanam-Papalia said.

While co-president Penny Goodman remarked, “When I think about our theme tonight, ‘Where courage speaks’, I think of the voices that refuse to be silenced, like Zach Sage Fox… voices like Kylie Moore-Gilbert, who endured the unimaginable as a prisoner in Iran and has used her voice to fight for the release of hostages suffering the same fate.”

Moore-Gilbert was sentenced to 10 years in prison on the false charge of espionage but was released after 804 days in a prisoner swap. She spoke of her harrowing time as a prisoner, and said she survived thanks to friendships with female prisoners, and praised WIZO for being an organisation of women supporting other women.

“The solidarity and support of my fellow women prisoners is, I think, more than anything else, what gave me the strength to survive,” she said.

Filmmaker, actor and comedian Zach Sage Fox, known for his viral social media videos which counter misinformation about Israel, was also a keynote speaker. His risqué stand-up comedy generated mixed feelings, but he concluded with his passion – standing up for Israel.

“We need warriors online … We’re always going to be outnumbered. The beauty of our story is that we are David and Goliath. Look at Israel as the example … Israel is the most advanced army in the Middle East … You have to believe in God and our God-given talent to say that statement … We are such a smart people and we have such a beautiful tradition, that we can make sure that the small size of our people is outnumbered by our strength and our sheer brilliance.”

To donate visit wizovic.org.au