Nilly Berger z’l
We are saddened at the passing of our President Nilly Berger z’l in July 2026
Our Management
Benita Kam
Vice President
Benita is the founder and owner of a 20 year-old wedding and events planning company called BNT Management.
I like to create magic, make memories anywhere in the world.
First and foremost, though I am a wife, mother and recently have become a grandmother
I have a huge knowledge and love of Israel and due to the fact I have a Speech Pathology and Audiology background and worked with children and adults from lower socio economic backgrounds, as well as having immigrated from South Africa, I have a true passion for the underprivileged and needy.
I have hence been a long standing member of WIZO and joined their board of Management a few years ago hoping I could assist with events of all kinds and size, as well as encourage those around me to donate and contribute to this meaningful and wonderful organisation.
Julie Ross
Treasurer
My passion for WIZO began when I was in my 20’s.
I went to a WIZO meeting early on, and before I knew it I was hosting WIZO functions in my home! We were a true sisterhood back then. Can you imagine, no mobiles, no internet, no computers, just a telephone…and if you weren’t home, you missed out!
Seriously, I became President of my group, WIZO Yaffa – we developed an amazing reputation for producing fantastic and entertaining events which were well attended and raised lots of money for WIZO.
In the old days, we would literally set up the functions ourselves, cooking and taking the food to wherever the event was held (usually at Hakoah Club!) The decorations committee met and thought through what would be appropriate for each event. Rehearsals, laughter, friendship and an abundance of passion for Israel.
In essence, not much has changed. The passion, the stories, the fundraising…but now we all do it via our mobile phones.
Now as State Treasurer, it is my pleasure to give hours each week to this incredible movement. Usually fabulous and sometimes challenging, being together as a board, and having known each other for many years, we talk, we brainstorm, we laugh, we act.
Rony Bognar OAM
Management
Rony became the youngest ever President of WIZO NSW and then consecutively the youngest President of WIZO Australia.
Born in Israel, and the child of Holocaust survivors, Rony has constantly worked and volunteered in Jewish organisations for the betterment of the Sydney Jewish community and Israel. But it was in WIZO’s raison d’etre where she found her passion; a dedication to supporting those in Israeli society that need it most.
Rony became the youngest ever President of WIZO NSW and then consecutively the youngest President of WIZO Australia. She took both roles very seriously and worked consistently with strength, determination and pragmatism.
She has been honoured as an honorary Life Member of World WIZO, Honorary Life Member of WIZO Australia and last year an OAM for her work with WIZO and within the Jewish Community.
Today Rony sits on the Board and Executive of WIZO NSW which benefits from her experience and wise counsel.
She has and will always continue to support her passions, and is always grateful for the opportunities that living in Australia gives her to speak up for and help others less fortunate than herself.
Esther Wakerman
Management
Esther’s 40-year career within WIZO has been filled with so many highlights.
From being President of her group WIZO Yaffa for many years, to producing innovative and creative events and continually exploring new methods of fundraising. Esther is forward looking, a visionary and always sees the bigger picture. She helped produce Fiddler on the Roof at NSW University for WIZO and was also Producer on a joint Production of West Side Story with Moriah College. Esther’s love of music and theatre as well as an audience encouraged her to be involved and participate in many WIZO comedy Reviews, fashion parades, fabulous guest speakers, panel discussions, New Years’ Eve parties, bagel brunches, dances, seminars…….How busy she was! In these early years she was recruited by Leila Share to join the Executive of WIZO NSW where she has remained ever since. She has been President WIZO NSW twice and has led with passion and positivity Esther exudes enthusiasm and excitement and her wisdom, experience and knowledge of WIZO is to be admired. She has always used this knowledge to inspire and mentor new and emerging groups. Esther instigated and facilitated educational retreats to inspire WIZO groups.
Esther has been a recipient of WIZO’s highest accolade, the Rebecca Sieff award.
The young man who escorted her to her first communal event has been her supportive husband for 49 years, they have 3 sons, 5 grandchildren and Esther is still as busy as ever.
Gloria Newhouse
Management
My name is Gloria Newhouse and I am a previous, previous past President.
I was busy in my younger years, I ran a very successful business for 25 years with a dozen staff which really gave me a good groundwork for understanding the wants and needs of being a team player, a leader, a listener, a learner and a contributing member of a larger community to which we all belong. They say you ask a busy person to get the job done, and I believe there is never a truer word said. An intelligent woman can pack so much under her belt when required and put her immense skills to good use.
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WIZO NSW, The Women’s International Zionist Organization, is a worldwide non-profit organization that operates over 800 social welfare projects in Israel.