CHW Memories Project
Lottie Riven:
A period of growth and expansion In October 2013, CHW Ottawa launched the “Memories Project,” a historical look into the foundation that has made their Centre what it is today. The “Memories Project” has inspired this rubric in the CHW Insider, which kicks off the countdown to Canadian Hadassah-WIZO’s Centennial in 2017. This edition of the “Memories Project” focuses on CHW Past National Presidents: Lottie Riven, Nina Cohen, Anne Eisenstat, and Blanche Wisenthal.
1955-1959 Lottie Riven was born in Bessarabia, Russia in 1898. At a young age her father encouraged her to study Hebrew and Jewish History by hiring private tutors. By the age of nine, Lottie was fluent in Hebrew. In 1910, her family immigrated to Canada, settling in Montreal. At the age of 16, she became a member of Young Judaea, which was in its infancy at the time. When Junior Hadassah came into existence, Lottie joined, and following her marriage to William Riven she transferred to Senior Hadassah and became a member of the Young Ladies Zionist Chapter. In 1926 she became the President of this chapter, later becoming an officer, and eventually a member of the Executive of Montreal. In 1935 Lottie became President of the Montreal Council of Hadassah, and held this position until 1938. During her Presidency she did a lot of work to increase expansion and membership. Lottie held other various roles both locally and nationally until
November 1955 at the 16th Biennial Convention, when she was elected the fifth National President of Canadian Hadassah-WIZO. During Lottie’s term, Israel went through some of the most difficult times in its nationhood; times filled with constant fear and war. Due to these factors many of Lottie’s accomplishments during her term reflected the dire situation in Israel. There were many highlights during Lottie’s term. In 1957, when in Israel, Mrs. Riven was told of the extreme need for additional firstaid stations. Lottie reported on the situation in Kfar Saba to the National Executive and a decision was made to build a first-aid station there. It has since become one of the most important centres of its kind. Many improvements were made to the school at Nahalal during Lottie’s five years as President: staff houses were erected and significant work was done to improve the existing buildings, grounds, and roads. To honour the 35th Anniversary of Nahalal, CHW contributed $35,000 over and above
their budget commitments. Another exciting event during Lottie’s tenure was the construction of the Vincent Massey Hall in the Jewish National and Hebrew University Library in Jerusalem. It served the high purpose of perpetuating the name of a great Canadian, the then Governor General of Canada, through CHW’s contribution to the Hebrew University. During this time the CHW Honour Wall in Canada Hall of the Hebrew University was also created. $10,000 was raised to commemorate the names of Canadian Jewish boys who lost their lives in the line of duty in World War II. A lot was accomplished during Lottie’s Presidency. She gives full credit to her husband, William, and her children, Joel and Judith, for their understanding and unfailing cooperation throughout her years in Hadassah, and especially during her term as President.