Cecily Peters
Empowering the future Cecily Peters was imbued with love for Canadian HadassahWIZO at the knees of her grandmother and mother – Sarah and Dorothy Goodman, attending her first bazaar at the age of eight. Her mother was a founder of Western and Kadimah Chapters in Toronto, serving as the latter’s President for 16 years; thus their home was constantly buzzing with fundraising plans for teas, sales and socials. With these dedicated women as role models, it was natural that after Cecily’s marriage, in 1948, she joined the Deborah Chapter and embarked upon her career as a professional volunteer for CHW. Through this association, she earned many long lasting friendships and learned the skills of fundraising, and leadership which prepared her for the Presidencies of her Chapter, of Toronto Council and ultimately of the National organization. Cecily travelled extensively on behalf of CHW. In Canada she
developed close ties between cities and the National Office. Her numerous trips to Israel resulted in a better understanding and warm relationships with World WIZO, Youth Aliyah and Assaf Harofeh Medical Center and Research Center.
1983 - 1987
Cecily recognized the importance of attracting bright young women to CHW and offered creative, challenging programming (Aviv Conferences) to achieve this goal, so that the organization would continue to flourish. She had a sense of what was fair and just; she gave freely of her love and served in a manner both responsible and respectful. The membership responded to her in like manner. Highlights of her four year term incuded: Attending the 50th Jubilee Youth Aliyah Conference
where she met Recha Freier who “Personified the strength and devotion that made Youth Aliyah one of the greatest humanitarian movements in the world,” serving as a WIZO delegate to the “U.N. End of Decade for Women Conference” in Nairobi, at which positive inroads were made despite daily experiences of anti-Semitism and anti-Zionism, and organizing the “Celebration 70” tour in Israel. “I have always believed that we are truly blessed to live in Canada, this great democracy where we are free to promote the ideals of Judaism and Zionism, while remaining devoted loyal Canadians. We have two countries to love and serve – Canada and Israel,” she said. ORAH Magazine Winter 2016 [ 48 ]