As we approach Chanukkah, our festival of courage and illumination, we are reminded of who we are as a people.
Hanukkah is not simply about the oil that lasted eight nights. It is the story of defiance in the face of persecution, of hope forged under pressure, of light insisting on shining despite every attempt to extinguish it.
It is the story of triumph, our triumph.
As we step into a new year and welcome the new season, we are reminded of the enduring truth that has carried our people through every generation: when our people stand together, we do not merely witness change… we create it.
Across more than a century, the Women’s International Zionist Organisation (WIZO) has embodied that strength. It has been the heartbeat of women who rise, build, repair, uplift, and nurture, women who refuse to accept despair as a final chapter, who insist on writing hope into the lives of every child, every mother, every family who turns to us.
In Israel, our homes for vulnerable women and children turn safety into a pathway for healing. It is there in our day care centres, where the next generation is held with tenderness and possibility. It is alive in every empowerment programme, where dignity is restored and futures are rebuilt.
So much of our impact begins quietly, with one conversation, one idea, one fundraiser, one act of kindness. Yet these small beginnings ripple far beyond what our eyes can see.
Our world often looks for success in size or numbers, but we all know there is a deeper truth: Impact is measured in compassion. Greatness is measured in courage. Legacy is measured in love.
We are a people of victory, resilience, and unwavering might. We are a people who rebuild even when others expect us to break. We are a people who choose light, again and again.
As we enter 2026, may we continue to begin boldly, joyfully, and proudly.
WIZO wishes every member of our cherished community a bright, hopeful, and meaningful 2026. May it be a year of strength, renewal, and continued triumph.
Chag Hanukkah Sameach. Am Yisrael chai!
With love,
Shelley Trope-Friedman
President, WIZO South Africa
Website: WIZO South Africa
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- For the current edition of the Cape Jewish Chronicle, click here.
- Subscribe to the Cape Jewish Chronicle: R450/year, or R38/month via debit order. Simply email us at subscriptions@ctjc.co.za and click here for payment info.
- The Cape Jewish Chronicle reaches over 6 000 readers monthly across print and digital platforms.
- To book advertising space or discuss a custom package contact Adéle Gradner Mobile: 083 321 5222 | Office: 021 464 6736 | Email advertising@ctjc.co.za
