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VISITS ISRAEL SOROPTIMISTS. MAY 2003 |
Pnina Evental, SI Givatayim,
writes:
" I would like to share with you a very special visit to Israel by the SI/E
Federation President Hanne Jensbo. I want to start with 2 comments:
The first is that there are still brave people that are not afraid to come to
Israel!! The second is that President Hanne Jensbo is an outstanding
woman, and it was a great pleasure having her with us, even though for a very
short time.
"Hanne landed in Israel Thursday afternoon, ( 29.5.03) and was met by our
Union President, Hava Inbar. She spent her first evening with the
members of the Union President's club.
"Friday morning started her "military pace" visit, that lasted for 3 full
days. As Hanne asked to meet all the Israeli clubs, and there are 18
clubs scattered from North to South, she approved the itinerary that was
prepared for her visit.
" It started going up North, visiting Mount Carmel
International Training Center ( MCTC), it is a center that was founded by a
Soroptimist, MINA BEN ZVI, who was also the founder of the first Club in Israel
and Haifa, and is still managed by Soroptimist members: Fannette Modek and Mazal
Renford. The aim of the founders was to empower the status of women
so that they will claim their rightful role in their society, and especialy in
developing countries (it belongs to the Foreign Affairs Ministry)
Hanne was present in an epilogue ceremony of a seminar of principals from
Sri-Lanka. A very moving one that took place that day.
"Then meeting with the 3 clubs in HAIFA, later continued up North, to NAHARIYA, a city on the sea shores of the Mediterranean. After walking on the shore, with the sea waft, and pleasant sea scents, continued to nearby MANOT. There, in a beautiful house of one of the members an evening meeting with the 2 clubs.
" Saturday, visiting the club of TAIBE an
Israeli-Arab women's club and the nearby club of NETANYA. Visiting
their center for old age people, and having lunch prepared in the best way of
the eastern kitchen.
The photo on the left was taken during the visit at the Arab
Center of old age in Taibe, with the members of the Israeli-Arab club .
"Then continued to the house of our Immediate Past
President Etty Redler, Hanne's home hospitality hostess, for a short rest that
turned out to be a tour of Tel-Aviv - Jaffa. Followed by an evening
meeting with 8 clubs of the country center. Representation of the
clubs and their activities. Sunday morning going south.
"The Ethiopian morning included
visiting the permanent Ethiopian Exhibition in the city of RISHON LE-ZION, a
visit to the Ethiopian Project of REHOVOT Club where Soroptimists teach
Ethiopians to read, write, and arithmetic. Hanne met the Soroptimist
members and the Ethiopian women in their embroidered dresses, and also enjoy a
taste of Ethiopian food.
Shown on the photo: Hanne Jensbo
with some members of the Ethiopian Club and their tutors.
"Then on to JERUSALEM for Hanne to meet with women from the
2 local clubs and a visit to the beautiful house of 94-year old Hava Ya'ary, a
Soroptimist Union President in the far past. Hanne met many 80-year
old Jerusalem Soroptimists as well as younger members.
Shown
on this photo: Hanne with 94-year old Hava Ya'ary, at her house in
Jerusalem.
"Back to RAMAT- GAN (near Tel-Aviv, Hanne's home for the visit) and meeting with the local club members. A short sleep and 5am at the airport...................
"I can tell you that Hanne was taking that pace without difficulty, smiling and enjoying, and we enjoying very much being with her. Our Union members were at their best. I photographed the visit, and enclose some of the photos. I hope I have succeeded in transferring to you the spirit of a remarkable visit."
Pnina Evental
SI Givatayim Club
Governor, Israeli Union
SI/E
