Na'amat () is an Israeli and international women's organization affiliated with the Labour Zionist Movement. Na'amat was founded in 1921.

Etymology

Na'amat is an acronym for ''Nashim Ovdot U'Mitnadvot'' (), lit., "Working and Volunteering Women".

History

Na'amat is the largest women's movement in Israel. It has a membership of 800,000 women (Jews, Arabs,

Druze The Druze ( ; , ' or ', , '), who Endonym and exonym, call themselves al-Muwaḥḥidūn (), are an Arabs, Arab Eastern esotericism, esoteric Religious denomination, religious group from West Asia who adhere to the Druze faith, an Abrahamic ...

, and

Circassians The Circassians or Circassian people, also called Cherkess or Adyghe (Adyghe language, Adyghe and ), are a Northwest Caucasian languages, Northwest Caucasian ethnic group and nation who originated in Circassia, a region and former country in t ...

), representing the entire spectrum of Israel society. Most are volunteers. The organization has 100 branches in cities, towns, and settlements all over the country.''This is Na'amat'', quoted at It also has sister organizations in other countries whose members are part of the World Labour Zionist Movement and the

World Zionist Organization The World Zionist Organization (; ''HaHistadrut HaTzionit Ha'Olamit''), or WZO, is a non-governmental organization that promotes Zionism. It was founded as the Zionist Organization (ZO; 1897–1960) at the initiative of Theodor Herzl at the F ...

. The American branch was founded in 1926; it was first called Pioneer Women of Palestine, and then renamed Pioneer Women in 1939. In 1981, it was renamed again, to ''Na'amat''. In 2008, Na'amat, together with two other women's organizations, received the

Israel Prize The Israel Prize (; ''pras israél'') is an award bestowed by the State of Israel, and regarded as the state's highest cultural honor. History Prior to the Israel Prize, the most significant award in the arts was the Dizengoff Prize and in Israel ...

for lifetime achievement, and special contribution to society and the State of Israel.

Etymology

History

References

See also