L-R: Lion of Judah: Former USA ambassador’s wife Mrs. Leslie Cunningham; Faigie Zimmerman; Prof. Gabriela Shalev; Doris Weiser-Small; Sharon Gefen; Ruth Salomy; Dale Ophir; Rutie Oren (Chair).

Remember, in the months following the first Gulf War, how the sound of a gas kettle whistling could, for a moment, still send us skittering for the shelters? And how the whoo-ooo-ooo of the sirens on the Days of Remembrance had us recalling, too, how we had hurriedly bundled our babies into anti-gas tents and zipped them up against all harm? That war lasted a few weeks; we felt its aftermath for months. But even for those of us who have experienced bombardment, it is hard enough to imagine the trauma children suffer when their sleep is broken for years by the screech of air-raid alarms; kids whose lives are punctuated by days spent hanging out in shelters. It is simply impossible to go that extra step: these youngsters are also victims of child abuse - neglect, violence or sexual harassment? How can anyone cope with that?

There are a multitude of organizations in Israel working to ensure that underprivileged and abused children can have a shot at growing up to become normal, healthy members of society. One of these charities is the Lion of Judah Israel (LOJI) – a group of dedicated women focused on empowering women and girls in Israel. Israel is home to 110 Lions (don't call them Lionesses!), and their sister-Lions abroad number 18,000, spread over all the continents. Run under the umbrella organization of the Jewish Agency here, and under the auspices of Keren Hayesod abroad, the Israeli Lions work with the Spirit of Israel. Israeli members donate a minimum of

6000 shekels a year, and, apart from one paid administrator, everything operates on a voluntary basis: fundraising, hosting missions from abroad, organizing events and overseeing projects.

Each year the Lions are flooded with up to 200 requests for funding; each year the committee chooses some 15 programs that impact on the wellbeing of women: helping young girls cope with eating disorders, encouraging women to create independent business ventures and achieve economic independence, enabling male ex-convicts to kick the life of crime and abuse and become more nurturing to their children (thus, obviously, making life much easier for their wives), supporting children at risk and victims of rape and incest, training Ethiopian women to be nurses' aides, and supporting theater, choir and dance workshops that empower young women to overcome trauma and neglect and to thrive.   

Rutie Oren, the stylish current chairperson of Lions of Judah Israel, looks as though she belongs more in a Vogue boardroom than the world of philanthropy. But don't let those gorgeous dresses and cute shoes fool you; Oren is one powerful force for good. The child of Holocaust survivors and a trained occupational therapist, she is acutely aware of those members of society who are struggling and at risk. Her life of volunteering began at an early age; in her teens she was a "Candy Striper" aid in hospitals in her native America. "Volunteering was in my genes," says Rutie, "and so was my love of Israel."

Visiting Israel for the first time at age five, Rutie fell in love with the country; at 22 she fell in love with an Israeli, married him and moved here to stay. Manni Oren was an officer in the reserves; two weeks after the wedding the Yom Kippur War broke out and he was called up, and wounded in action. "My new husband came home for 12 hours with a cast on his arm, and then went back to the front for the next nine months," recalls Rutie. "I had started Hebrew ulpan and I told the class he was an officer in 'tachtonim' (underwear), instead of 'totachim' (artillery)".  Rutie's mother couldn't deal with more stress after her experiences on the run from the Nazis in Europe; she was not told about Manni's mobilization. "Every time she called I said he was at work," recalls Rutie, "day or night – he was always at work. My mother was sure my marriage was on the rocks."

Forty years, three daughters and six grandchildren later, Rutie and Manni run a very successful real-estate development company, building apartment blocks and other projects in Israel and abroad. But it's LOJI that takes up most of her time. "Being a part of this organization is very compelling for me," says Rutie, "and I'm constantly thinking about what more we can do."

The Lion of Judah, with its passion for philanthropy and drive to contribute to Israel's survival, is a perfect home for Rutie. "Our projects are geared towards helping women and girls," she explains, "but we are open to ideas. We embrace soldiers with challenges, women and kids at risk, girls who have suffered from social injustice – and we are happy to make a difference to their lives."

Apart from impacting on the lives of women less fortunate than the Lions, the members of the organization have also become like a family. They bond together, not only over visits to their projects, but also over monthly fun and quality events. The Lions seem to have connections everywhere – they can arrange private visits to museums and art exhibitions – as well as managing to invite the most interesting speakers to address their forum. In the spring, LOJI's 'Dragon Boat', rowed by a team of highly motivated Lions, raced across the Kinneret in Israel's first ever competition. LOJI's crew raised the highest amount of donations. "The Lions are a powerful force," says Rutie, "and when they put their minds to something it gets done, fast. In the States, for example, the Lions of Judah once raised 7 million dollars in a single weekend to support the North of Israel."

Although it's not likely that Israeli Lions can achieve that kind of clout over one Shabbat, Rutie aims to increase their numbers so as to ensure that they are an ever-growing force for growth and change. Anyone who wants to contribute to the welfare of Israeli women can join – there are Lions from all walks of life. Pinning ceremonies, where new Lions receive a leonine golden brooch, are festive occasions, with speeches and warm applause (and possibly the best cakes this side of the Mediterranean) as a new member takes up the challenge to make a difference. 

For more details visit the website at www.loji.org.il or call Director Rotem Weiser-Shapira at: 052 613 0137.