Bess Hymans

Bess Hymans (nee Tetelbaum) was born in Sydney on 27th July 1931. She recently celebrated her 90th Birthday and like a true WIZO Woman, asked her friends for donations to WIZO.

Her parents and three older sisters arrived in 1928 from Poland where her father had been a Shochet. He was the victim of Anti- Semitism so decided to emigrate.

In Sydney the family lived in Newtown, where her father pretty much ran the shule. He was the Chazzan and the Shochet. Bess attended Sydney Girls’ High School and later studied dress design. She then moved on to work in advertising.

Whilst visiting Melbourne she met Albert and the rest was 62 years of history. Together they had 3 children, many grandchildren, and now great grandchildren. In her own words “I have been blessed with the most wonderful family here, in Sydney and in Perth. “

Bess heard about WIZO at the school gate. She worked at Moriah College in Elwood where her youngest son attended school. She joined WIZO Dafna in the mid 60s and soon became Treasurer.

Later she transferred to WIZO Tsafon and became Secretary, a position to which she was well suited. Bess is still a member of WIZO Tsafon and was recently made an Honorary member.

Many would remember Bess when she worked in the WIZO Victoria State Office at Beth Weizmann in St.Kilda Rd, a job that she had for 14 years.

Bess has volunteered at Montefiore Homes (now Jewish Care), taught English to Russian migrants, and been a driver for Kosher Meals On Wheels.

In more recent times (pre pandemic) she was frequently seen volunteering at the WIZO Victoria State Office at Beth Weizmann in Hawthorn Rd.

No task has ever been too big or small for Bess.

A true Eshet Chayil.