Brenda Katten was born and educated in London, UK. She was a member of Bnei Akiva and the Federation of Zionist Youth (FZY). Professionally she worked as a Relationship and Educational Counselor in the remedial and education fields having obtained qualification from the British Association of Counselors. She and her architect husband, John, came to live in Israel in 1998.
Brenda is a past chairperson in England of: British WIZO (and is currently Honorary President); the Zionist Federation of Great Britain and Ireland; Bnai Brith Hillel Foundation. She was chairperson of the Governors one of the largest Jewish Day Schools in London.
In Israel she is currently Chairperson of ESRA – English Speaking Residents Association; Co- Chairperson of Europeans for Israel.
Her past voluntary positions in Israel include: Chairperson of Israel, Britain and the Commonwealth Association; Chairperson of World WIZO Public Affairs and NGO Department. Chairperson of World WIZO Public Relations Department and Editor of the newsletter, The Fuller Picture and Executive Member of the International Council of Women (ICW). Brenda has been a delegate for Israel at the international conferences of the United Nations’ Annual Commission on the Status of Women in New York; United Nations Conference against Racism in Durban (2001); Women Defending Peace in Geneva (2004).
Brenda has three children and eight grandchildren.
by Brenda Katten
ESRA Netanya opened its lecture series with an address
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by Rabbi Dov Lipman on Religion and State. Brenda reports on the "outstanding and inspirational" lecture
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by Brenda Katten
ESRA was invited by the British Ambassador to participate
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in a fund-raising fair at his residence. The ESRA stand, manned by four students from the Build a Community project, among others, attracted many interested visitors.
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by Brenda Katten
A magnificent show was put on by ESRA’s Fundraising
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committee at the Herzliya Performing Arts Center. An audience that filled the theater was entertained by soloists Keren Hadar, Daniella Lugassy, Colin Schachat and the Raanana Symphonette. It was an evening of Broadway Hits including music by Gershwin, and Lloyd Webber and songs from Les Miserables.
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by Brenda Katten
ESRA has much to be proud of as we celebrate 40 years
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of giving to the community, says Brenda. A predominantly volunteer based nonprofit organization, we have projects including English-Hebrew conversation for those learning the languages, befriending, grants to the needy, grief counseling and many more.
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by Brenda Katten
In response to Carole Kaye's innovative idea of establishing
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a Facebook page for Netanya ESRA Harvey Benson of the Pzazzband offered to donate their services for an evening's concert which had the audience singing and even dancing along at this very successful event.
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by Brenda Katten
ESRA will be holding its first ever fundraising event
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in London. The proceeds will be in support of ESRA’s flagship project “Students build a community”.
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by Brenda Katten
ESRA Netanya recently held a cheese and wine reception
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to say thank you to its 90-plus volunteers who cover the entire spectrum of ESRA activities.
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by Brenda Katten
A truly fortunate audience was treated to an evening
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of pianist Alan Gampel's
sensitive and expressive renditions of Scarlatti, Schubert, Chopin, and Gershwin. The proceeds of the wonderful performance were earmarked for ESRA's flagship project Students Build a Community.
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by Brenda Katten
Gil Shohat, the eminent conductor, composer and pianist
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generously performed in aid of ESRA’s Hand-in-Hand Pantry Fund for the 11th time, to an audience of some 200. The event was a huge success making it possible to dispense 50 parcels to 50 needy families and this Pesach 100 parcels were dispatched to 100 families.
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by Brenda Katten
Now celebrating their 50th anniversary of living in
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Israel, the Applebaums have made significant contributions to the country. Their efforts for ESRA include producing ESRA cookbooks, running a boutique to help Russian olim and helping children from deprived backgrounds realize their potential.
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by Brenda Katten
The President invited ESRA’s Ethiopian dance group
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to perform in honor of the Sigd festival at the official residence. These young dancers earned a hearty applause from the enthusiastic audience for their graceful and meaningful performance, and a hug from the President.
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by Brenda Katten
"How much has the Christian world really changed in
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its attitude to the Jews and Israel?" was the subject of a riveting talk given to an ESRA audience by Rabbi David Rosen, the International Director of Interreligious Affairs of the American Jewish Committee (AJC) and its Heilbrunn Institute for International Interreligious Understanding.
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by Brenda Katten
Moving from one country to another is a challenging
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experience. Like all transitions can be traumatic, affecting the relationship between husband and wife and parents and children. A help line is offered by ESRA's counselling service where professionally trained counsellors offer a listening ear and so much more
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by Brenda Katten
Brenda Katten makes a notable stand by displaying how
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important it is for Ethiopian immigrants in Israel to sustain their old traditions, regarding family hierarchy, language and cultural traditions.
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by Brenda Katten
Zachor, was an event at Hefzibah that recalled the
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12,000 Ethiopians Jews who in 1984, began the long trek home from Ethiopia to Sudan where they boarded the plane for Israel. Tragically, only 8,000 made it – 4,000 literally fell by the wayside due to violence and illness. It was at the same time a celebration for those who made it to Israel
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Brenda Katten