Helen Granek Jnr
Helen is the elder child of two Holocaust survivors. She is a proud second generation WIZO member. Her mother was a passionate Zionist who wanted to help women and children in need in Israel and joined WIZO (Kinneret) as soon as she arrived in Melbourne. Helen’s earliest memories were a group of ladies preparing food in her mother’s kitchen, for a large function. This function was for the 1956 Child of the Year Competition of which Helen was a candidate.
Helen’s love of Israel continued to thrive through her childhood and teenage years as she became a member of Habonim. Through the movement, Helen became a Madricha and also went on its Shnat program in 1971- the second year of its implementation.
During her tertiary years, Helen was the President of TRAKJSS (Jewish Students Society at Toorak Campus) and also a member of the Executive of VUJS (the Victorian branch of AUJS). These were the years of the growth of pro-PLO groups on campus and Helen invited presenters onto Campus to become more knowledgeable on how to counteract this growth.
Helen was campaigning for the rights of Soviet Jewry to be allowed to leave the USSR. It meant demonstrations at the Moscow Circus and the Bolshoi Ballet when they arrived in Melbourne. A busload travelled to the Soviet Embassy in Canberra and demonstrating there with the slogan of “Let My People Go”.
It was in 2012 at a chance afternoon tea, that Helen was invited to a meeting of a newly formed WIZO group. After attending this one meeting the follow up call invited her to be the chairperson and so the WIZO journey began. Helen’s roles evolved in WIZO David, as secretary, then treasurer and continued onto vice President and finally President. During these years Helen grew the membership numbers as well as organised many successful fundraisers. Her grandchild was the first WIZO David candidate for Child of the Year.
In2015, Helen was invited onto the Victorian Executive and coordinated the newly formed op shop, a wonderful fundraiser for WIZO Victoria. Shortly afterwards, she was asked to consider the presidency of WIZO Victoria.
During her time as President, WIZO Victoria expanded its membership of WIZO Kids and introduced WIZO Teens. She continually promoted AVIV and they held several function, bringing a younger age group to WIZO Victoria and furthering a couple of younger groups.
Sponsor A Child was rejuvenated with renewed passion, particularly after her trip to Israel to attend the MOR Conference. It was the ability of witnessing firsthand what a difference sponsorship can make and she requested updated material and filming the stories that would have the profound effect on other sponsors.
Attending the MOR Conference was an absolute WIZO lightbulb moment for Helen, meeting the most inspiring people from around the world. It gave her further inspiration and direction in her role as President.
She is proud to have her grand-children as members of WIZO Kids and introducing her husband and son as its newest members. Helen feels strongly and proudly that hers is a WIZO family.