ABOUT Michelle Wise
Michelle Wise – Candidate for the 2025 World Zionist Congress.
We have the power to shape Israel’s future. This election is not a popularity contest and it is not about what we want and need for New Zealand Jews. Rather it is about who is best placed to represent the views of the majority of New Zealand Jews in Israel. I am running to represent Arzenu, as I strongly believe that Arzenu is best placed to advocate in Israel for what the majority of New Zealand Jews believe in, specifically the values of religious pluralism and inclusion.
What is Arzenu? Arzenu is a global Progressive political movement with representation in 22 countries including New Zealand (est. 2012). We believe in a Jewish State that embraces both democratic values and Judaism in all of its forms and protects the rights of its minorities. We work for the acceptance and respect of the Reform/Liberal/Progressive Movement as a legitimate stream of Judaism by the Israeli Government (for example, public funding for non-Orthodox rabbis and teachers, accepting non-Orthodox conversions and marriage). We work alongside IRAC on many issues, for example ensuring that the Zionist movement does not discriminate based on gender and sexual orientation. Follow us on Instagram: arzenu_olami
Who am I? I am the immediate Past-President of the Beth Shalom Progressive community in Auckland, and the Past-Chair of KiwiPJ, a network of Jewish communities around the country. I recently completed the WUPJ Global Leadership Fellowship including a seminar in Israel where I also participated in the Arzenu global leader training. This year I organised the inaugural UPJ Shabbaton in Auckland, and the inaugural KiwiPJ leadership program for 25 emerging leaders from communities all over the country. I attend Limmud NZ every year and will be leading my 3rd session this June. I was previously the head of Parents and Friends of Habonim Dror Aotearoa New Zealand, but the chanichim and madrichim may know me as the camp doctor. My children went to Kadimah school, and became Bnei Mitzvah at Beth Shalom. I grew up in a large Reform congregation in Toronto, participated in the Reform youth movement NFTY and spent summers at camp with Canadian Young Judea. I have been to Israel 7 times. In my career, I am a specialist Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at Auckland Hospital and an Associate Professor at the University of Auckland. I am wife to Nic and mum to Maia and Jonah Szecket, and we have just become ‘empty nesters.’ I love ocean swimming, yoga, pilates, and walking our dog Viva.
