Liz Raider installed as National President
NA’AMAT USA 40TH NATIONAL CONVENTION CELEBRATES ACCOMPLISHMENTS, ENERGIZES MEMBERS, AND SETS BOLD AGENDA FOR FUTURE
Elizabeth Raider of Woodland Hills, CA named New National President
BOCA RATON, FL – July 27, 2010 - NA’AMAT USA, a member of the International Movement of Zionist Women, recently held its 40th National Convention in Boca Raton, Florida. NA’AMAT delegates from across the United States and their families took part in this convention, which was themed “Spreading Sunshine with NA’AMAT.”
Professor Gabriela Shalev, Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations, delivered the convention’s keynote speech, and discussed several issues of concern to the State. These included the importance restarting peace talks with Palestinian officials, addressing the threat posed by a nuclear Iran, and protecting the State’s legitimacy. Prof. Shalev is Israel’s 14th Permanent Representative to the UN, and the first woman appointed to this post.
Elizabeth Raider of Woodland Hills, California was elected as NA’AMAT USA’s new national president at the convention, assuming the position from Edythe Rosenfield of Trumbull, Connecticut. Raider has been a member of the organization for more than 40 years, with her most recent positions as Organization Vice President for seven years and National Leadership Development Chair for the past three years.
Upon her installation as national president, Raider observed, “We work closely with NA’AMAT Israel to provide a structure that encourages education as a means to the development of a responsible, just and independent society. We are an organization that has always created new and challenging programs by listening and responding to the requests of Israeli citizens who seek our services. NA’AMAT is known as the organization that will respond to their needs and those of their families.”
Other highlights of “Spreading Sunshine with NA’AMAT” included:
· A gala dinner celebration in honor of Tel Aviv’s 100th Anniversary
· A broad spectrum of speakers and panelists, addressing a wide range of issues concerning Israel, Judaism, Zionism, membership development, philanthropy, and the status of women in the workplace
· A $100,000 gift from the NA’AMAT USA Golda Meir Child Development Fund for 24 multi-purpose day care centers, designed for challenged children
· The installation of new national officers (see Appendix A for names, titles, and hometowns)
For more than 84 years, NA’AMAT has helped women and children in Israel build and rebuild their lives through its large network of social services. With NA’AMAT organizations in nine additional countries around the world, NA’AMAT USA, in conjunction with NA’AMAT Israel, provides care for more than 18,000 children in more than 250 day care centers throughout Israel. Special multi-purpose day care centers work with 1,600 children who require special services. They operate two agricultural boarding schools and 17 technological high schools. The Status of Women Department offers, among other services, legal aid to mothers and their children coping with domestic violence.
“This has been an interesting and energizing Convention,” added Raider. ”NA’AMAT USA has a long and proud history, and it is important for us to remember that historical process. But it is even more important for us to recognize that we face new and different challenges and we – the members of NA’AMAT across the United States – must work together to meet these challenges. My goal for NA’AMAT USA is to live long and thrive.”
Chellie Goldwater-Wilensky of Chicago, Ill., served as national chairperson of the convention, while Sharon Sutker McGowan of Skokie, Ill., and Gail Simpson of Agoura, Calif., served as national program co-chairpersons. Boca Raton residents Rita Sherman and Joyce Schildkraut served as local co-chairpersons.
For more information on NA’AMAT USA, call 212-563-5222. The NA’AMAT USA National Office is located at 350 Fifth Avenue, Suite 4700, New York, NY 10118.
