The Holocaust Centre of New Zealand’s founding director, Inge Woolf, been named a finalist in the prestigious Women of Influence of Awards in the “community hero” category.
Woolf, who is a Holocaust Survivor, former refugee, business woman and community volunteer, has been selected for her inspiring work with the Holocaust Centre.
But it is also a nod to her other volunteer work leading Arthritis New Zealand, Zonta and many other community organisations.
In 2004 a Jewish prayer house was burnt down and nearly 100 Jewish graves desecrated in Makara, Wellington. This sparked Woolf into action.
With a group of committed volunteers (refugees, Holocaust survivors and descendants among them) she was determined to combat racism and antisemitism and to teach tolerance and understanding.
She says: “I knew I could use my experience as a Holocaust survivor for good.”
The Wellington Holocaust Research and Education Centre was formed, which quickly became the national organisation, the Holocaust Centre of New Zealand. .
Woolf was the founding director and also held the role of chair during its early years. She says the HCNZ continues the work they started.
That includes educational programmes, commemorative events, a Human Rights Speaker Series, an anti-bullying ‘Upstander’ campaign, assisting in the publication of the translation of the Anne Frank Diary into Te Reo M?ori, and developing the travelling Children’s Holocaust Memorial, which, with the Anne Frank exhibition, has attracted thousands of visitors.
Woolf says that today the lessons of the Holocaust are poignant to combat increasing intolerance and racism, to teach the value of human rights and the celebration of diversity.
“I am proud to have been a pivotal part of a team which has made a difference in the lives of many young New Zealanders.”
Woolf was born in 1934 in Vienna, Austria. In 1938, with her family, she fled Vienna. She came to New Zealand in December 1957.
With her husband, Ronald Woolf, she established and managed Wellington’s premier photographic studio, Photography by Woolf. In 2002, she retired from her business.
Over her life she has dedicated herself to many community organisations. She was the president of Wellington WIZO, the president of Wellington Zonta, the president of Arthritis New Zealand, the chair of Moriah College and a board member of the philanthropic organisation, Deckston Hebrew Trust Board.
Woolf continues to volunteer for the Holocaust Centre of New Zealand on a weekly basis. She is a frequent speaker at events and to groups of children.
[Photo Credit: RNZ Sara Vui-Talitu]
