Fonds jhse-70 - Edmonton Hadassah-WIZO fonds

The Hadassah-WIZO Organization of Canada was founded in Ottawa in 1917 as a Canadian Zionist women's organization by Lillian Frieman, the first National President. In 1921, the organization formed an alliance with the Women's International Zionist Movement, founded the previous year in London, England, under the leadership of Rebecca Sieff. In 1926, Canadian Hadasssah-WIZO became a sponsor of the Hanna Maisel Shochat Agricultural School at Nahalal. In 1937, Recha Freier founded the Youth Aliyah movement to rescue Jewish Children from Europe during World War II, and Hadassah-WIZO became a supporter of Youth Aliyah projects. These have included the Hadassim School; Nehalim; Hofim (a school specifically designed to integrate new Ethiopian immigrants); the Mosenson School at Magdiel; Netanya Technological High School; and Ben Yakir Youth Village. Since 1953, Hadassah-WIZO has supported Assaf Harofe Hospital near Tel Aviv, and in 1990, it affiliated with Hadassah International to become the sole representative in Canada of Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem. Over the years, additional projects have been added to the roster of institutions in Israel supported by Canadian Hadassah-WIZO, including day care centres, women's shelters, schools, and other projects. In Edmonton, the organization known as the Daughters of Zion officially decided to change their name to Edmonton Hadasssah-WIZO on March 8th, 1921. In 1947, Edmonton became a council city of federated chapters. The first council president was Becky Bloomfield. The various chapters over the years have included: Ami Chai, Ner Tamid, Ariel, Aviva, Golda Meir, Sybil Dlin, Shalom, Yahel, Yonah, Or Hatsafon and Anna Frank. Throughout the years, the group has engaged in many fundraising activities including the annual Hadassah Bazaar or rummage sale, the annual Youth Aliyah fundraising dinner, and Medical Services Tea, Games Day, Mah Jongg tournaments, etc. The money raised in Edmonton goes to Canadian Hadassah-WIZO projects in Israel, including the Edmonton Day Care Centre in Ramat Hasharon.