Michele Pollock is the new Wizo UK chair, having defeated trustee Hanni Seifert in the first contested election for the post in the 95-year history of the organisation.

Her earliest Wizo memory is of opening the Leeds blue and white bazaar as a six-year-old. She formalised her involvement as a young married, inspired by its ethos and commitment to supporting social welfare in Israel. London-based Mrs Pollock's communal participation has been carried on by her daughter, Karen, the Holocaust Educational Trust CEO.

She said that "Wizo reinforces the message that Israel today still needs the support of the UK community to help alleviate poverty and inequality".

Her vice-chair, Ronit Ribak-Madari, runs an events company and has first-hand knowledge of the charity's work in Israel, having graduated from a Wizo school in Tel Aviv.

The 300-plus crowd at the AGM also heard that Wizo UK had raised £1.9 million over the financial year to support 100 welfare and educational projects.Sieff awards were presented to Ilana Metzger, Diane Goldman, Elsa Linder and Odette Dreyfuss.