Mrs Glaser, the fifth world president, recalled the last time she was in Leeds was in 1994 when there was a bombing at the Jewish community centre in Buenos Aries.

And her visit to the United Hebrew Congregation coincided with the return to Israel of the bodies of soldiers Ehud Goldwater and Eldad Regev.

"For us every soldier is a child who has a family, a wife and children, and we care deeply," she said. "A small consolation is that they are home again in their own country and at least their families now have a grave to visit."

She explained the work WIZO does in Israel, saying she was aware she was preaching to the converted because some of the gathering had been members of the movement for 60 years.

"You are a fantastic group of women and the proof of it is that when you go to Israel you will see the fruits of your work that still bears your name," Mrs Glaser said.

"We are a very special movement, but there are times when it's good to soul-search and ask how we can improve our organisation and continue to do good for the under-privileged in Israel.

"We must not be pessimistic, we have every right to feel proud, but, since our inception, the world has changed beyond measure, but the work we do remains the same."

Mrs Glaser, who emigrated to Israel from America 34 years ago added: "We do so much in Israel to advance the status of women. In some areas we are highly successful, in other areas we fail dismally, as in the elections.

"We need more women in parliament and more of them in government, so that our voices can be heard - but we still have a long way to go."

Mrs Glaser spoke about the Children at Risk campaign which will be launched in Britain next year.

This was a campaign, started when Rebecca Sieff and Vera Wiezmann arrived in Palestine before Israel was formed and witnessed babies dying from malnutrition and neglect.

"Most mothers had come from poor backgrounds in Eastern Europe and were ignorant of how to bring up children, who were neglected and uncared for.

"This resulted in the decision to build projects for these children and one still exists today in Jerusalem, the Rebecca Sieff Centre for the Family - the former Jerusalem Baby Home established in 1924."

She added that wherever there is a needy Jewish community, WIZO is there.

"Every woman can relate and enjoy WIZO because there are so many issues that can tug at the hearts," Mrs Glaser said.

"We are relevant and we are doing what is relevant to today's issues. We don't wait to be called - we are always there.

"This appeal is perhaps the most important one - to bring in the young women. It is not as difficult as it sounds. If we don't invest now you will certainly not have a future."

Joyce Frazer praised WIZO co-ordinator Liz Jacoby for organising the event and said she was a good example of a busy younger woman working for the movement.

Mrs Frazer also had a word to say about Liz's WIZO-husband Bob, who catered the event.

"He's not a TV chef and he doesn't swear, but he makes beautiful chocolate roulade. He's our unsung patissiere," she said.

Opener was Lys Henson and guest of honour was Sheilagh Venn.