Emunah - the National Jewish Women's Organization

Emunah - the National Jewish Women's Organization (Hebrew: אמונה – תנועת האשה הדתית לאומית) is an Israeli women's movement founded by the Mizrachi and Hapoel HaMizrachi religious-Zionist movements. It was established in 1959 through the merger of the Hapoel HaMizrachi women workers' organization (founded 1935) and the Aman movement, and was renamed Emunah in 1977. Its first president was Sarah Herzog, widow of Israel's Chief Rabbi Yitzhak Isaac HaLevi Herzog. The movement operates a broad network of educational and social welfare institutions across Israel. As of 2024, it employs approximately 3,000 workers and runs 120 daycare centers, 4 schools, 5 children's homes for at-risk youth, 10 treatment centers, 30 branches and study halls, and Emunah College. It also promotes the advancement of women's status and operates volunteer national service through the Bat-Ami organization. In 2008, Emunah was awarded the Israel Prize for lifetime achievement for its special contribution to society and the state. The organization is led by chairwoman Yifat Sela (since 2023) and director-general David Hadari (since 2005). It also maintains an international presence through World Emunah, founded in 1977 by Sarah Herzog.

Emunah's origins lie in two separate women's organizations within the religious-Zionist movement: the Hapoel HaMizrachi women workers' organization, founded in 1935, and the Mizrachi Women's Organization in the Land of Israel. Unification talks began as early as 1939 but did not succeed. After the establishment of the National Religious Party (Mafdal), pressure to unite the women's organizations grew. During the intermediate days of Sukkot in 1959, the Hapoel HaMizrachi women workers' organization and the Aman movement merged to form the National Religious Women's Movement. In 1977, the organization was renamed Emunah - the National Religious Women's Movement. Its first president was Sarah Herzog, widow of Israel's Chief Rabbi Yitzhak Isaac HaLevi Herzog. In 1977, Rabbi Herzog also founded the World Emunah organization. Past presidents and chairwomen include Zipporah Goren (honorary president), Tova Sanhedrai, Sarah Stern-Katan, Yehudit Huebner, Rachel Silberstein, and Liora Minka. In 2008 (Independence Day 5768), Emunah was awarded the Israel Prize for lifetime achievement for its special contribution to society and the state. As of 2024, the network operates with approximately 3,000 employees: 120 daycare centers, 4 schools, 5 children's homes for at-risk youth (Beit HaYeled - Neve Michael, Beit HaYeled named after Tzva Elazaraki, Beit HaYeled Ahuzat Sarah, Kfar HaYeled Emunah Neve Landy, and the Sarah Herzog Children and Youth Center), 10 treatment centers, 30 branches and study halls, and Emunah College. The current chairwoman is Yifat Sela (since 2023) and the director-general is David Hadari (since 2005).

• 2023

  Yifat Sela becomes chairwoman.

• 2008

  Awarded the Israel Prize for lifetime achievement.

• 1977

  Organization renamed Emunah - the National Religious Women's Movement; World Emunah founded by Sarah Herzog.

• 1959

  Merger of Hapoel HaMizrachi women workers' organization and Aman movement to form the National Religious Women's Movement.

• 1939

  Unification talks between women's organizations begin but fail.

• 1935

  Hapoel HaMizrachi women workers' organization founded.

Religious-Zionist women's movement providing education, welfare, and advancement of women's status in Israel.

• Daycare centers

  120 daycare centers for early childhood.

• Schools

  4 schools.

• Children's homes

  5 children's homes for at-risk youth.

• Treatment centers

  10 family treatment centers.

• Branches and study halls

  30 branches and study halls.

• Emunah College

  College for higher education.

1. 1Official websiteemunah.org.il
2. 2Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3Hebrew Wikipediahe.wikipedia.org