THE PARTICIPATION OF JEWISH WOMEN IN COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS: THE WIZO OF MEXICO

Abstract

For some years, Jewish women had problems being taken into account in various aspects of institutional life since they were relegated to women’s activities. They managed to break through and create women’s organizations with two objectives: to help the less favored community members and to help Mexican society as gratitude to the country that welcomed them in times of greatest need. Among these women’s organizations, the Woman’s International Zionist Organization (WIZO) stands out for being one of the longest-lived and encompasses members of all the communities that make up the Jewish community. WIZO has tried to adapt to modern times, and one of its most outstanding achievements is to remain active and with a growing membership base despite the ups and downs derived from the economic or social events they have to live through. This permanent base of members makes it possible to continue giving life to charitable projects and its constant effort to support the population at risk due to natural disasters. They have several challenges to meet derived from the social changes that we are experiencing and also the urgency to renew the interaction with the younger generations, who are the ones in which the work they carry out at this time will fall and without which the existence of the institution itself could end up.