Grapevine: Multicultural harmony
04 February 2009
Jerusalem Post
By Greer Fay Cashman
At the World Jewish Congress, when they talk of walking history the name that instantly springs to mind is that of Hella Moritz, who began working at the WJC 45 years ago with founding president Nahum Goldmann and went on to serve with Israel Singer and Edgar Bronfman, and more recently with Secretary-General Michael Schneider and President Ronald Lauder.
Best known for her indefatigable spirit and remarkable linguistic talents, the Alsace-born Moritz, who speaks eight languages with mother-tongue fluency, is also known for her discretion.
When a curious historian probed her for some tantalizing tidbits about Goldmann's romantic liaisons, Moritz did not betray her bon vivant boss, even though he was no longer in the land of the living.
She politely and tactfully reminded her interlocutor that the word secretary derives from the word secret. The longest-serving employee of the WJC, Moritz was honored at the WJC's 13th plenary in Jerusalem last week, where at a gala dinner at the David Citadel Hotel, she was presented with a silver hanukkia as a symbol of the light that she has provided for the organization as a whole and for individual members over the years. Myriam Glikerman, another WJC veteran of the Paris office, spoke warmly and knowingly of Moritz and Laurence Weinbaum, of the WJC's Jerusalem affiliate, presented her with an ode that he had written.
Moritz, who is often referred to as the "glue" holding the WJC together, received a standing and resounding ovation from some 500 guests from 60 countries.
Moved to tears by the heartfelt outpouring of appreciation and affection, she was not the only one in the banquet hall whose eyes glistened and whose cheeks were damp. It was a grand way to applaud someone who was just doing her job - but doing it extraordinarily well.
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