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July 4, 2003
A new director for CFHU
The university is a cause dear to Maxine Woogman's heart.
KYLE BERGER REPORTER
Maxine Woogman believes that she is the perfect example of how
Hebrew University of Jerusalem touches those who study at the school.
After spending a year at the university's Rothberg International
School in 1987/'88, Woogman returned to Vancouver and immediately
became involved with the Young Associates (now called New Leadership)
department of the Vancouver chapter of the Canadian Friends of Hebrew
University (CFHU). For 15 years, she maintained a connection with
the organization as a volunteer and alumna and said she still gets
choked up every time she sees a video presentation promoting the
school and its programs.
"It was just the most powerful experience," she said of
the year that changed her life. "I became a real strong spokesperson
for Hebrew University when I came back."
On July 2, Woogman's special connection to the school took its most
significant step yet, as she became the new executive director of
the Vancouver chapter of CFHU.
"I feel like I've come full circle," she said. "I
was looking for a change in my career life and this met all of my
needs and had all of my passions tied into one role."
Woogman's professional background is in human resources, where she
spent 10 years working with private organizations in developing
team-building programs and working with managers. She then spent
two years as a life coach, where she worked with individuals who
were going through career or life transitions and helped them reach
their potential.
She looks forward to using her team-building, organizational and
coaching skills to help CFHU.
"Coaching is about knowing what you want, figuring out what's
blocking you from getting there and creating an action plan for
going forward," she explained. "I can bring all of that
into this organization. I can take that same strategy and apply
it to a cause that's dear to my heart."
Woogman's arrival marks a new era for the local organization. She
takes on a role that was held by Dvori Balshine for 17 years.
Woogman, who had worked with Balshine as a CFHU volunteer, said
that the chapter already has a very strong foundation and she hopes
her own unique style will add to what already exists.
"I think Dvori did a wonderful job of putting the Vancouver
chapter of CFHU on the map," said Woogman. "I think people
know us, they recognize us and they trust that whatever event gets
put on by us will be a well-run, well-produced, well-attended event.
"There's a well-functioning board, they've recruited good people
and everyone wants to be there," she continued. "But I
think I will bring in a different flavor and style."
Woogman's professional career with the CHFU chapter has started
at a critical time for the university. With Israel having to dedicate
more money to military defence in recent years, the university has
received less government funding than it has in the past. In response,
all of the Friends of Hebrew University groups around the Diaspora
have begun a four-year fund-raising campaign to keep the university
running strong. Woogman said her primary task will be making sure
her chapter does whatever it can to contribute.
"I really believe that Hebrew University needs to remain intact
as a top-standing research and teaching institution and I hope that
through the efforts of our board, volunteers, staff and leadership,
that people can come to see the importance of the university in
this world," she said. "Knowing and trusting in my gut
what this university does and contributes, not only to Israel but
the Jewish people and the world, my main drive will be to continue
fund-raising."
Woogman said there will be several programs in the next year focusing
on the campaign.
The next big Vancouver CFHU event is Stretch Your Mind: The Best
of Hebrew U, which will be held Sept. 13 and 14. Stretch Your Mind
features a series of presentations and sessions led by some of the
world-renowned professors from Hebrew University. Opening with a
Saturday evening presentation by political science Prof. Meron Medzini,
who will talk about Israel after the war in Iraq, the program will
continue all day Sunday. Participants will have a variety of sessions
from which to choose.
Stretch Your Mind is co-sponsored by CFHU, the Jewish Community
Centre of Greater Vancouver and the Jewish Federation of Greater
Vancouver. For more information, call 604-257-5133 or visit www.cfhu.org.
Kyle Berger is an award-winning freelance journalist and
a graphic designer living in Richmond.
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