Michal Modai was born in Jerusalem and grew up in a Zionist home. She is the widow of Yitzchak Modai z"l, Past Minister of Finance. She served as the President of World WIZO from 1996 until 2004, having been closely involved in the organization on a local, national and international level for almost thirty years.  She also served as a member of the Executive of the World Jewish Congress. Currently she is the Honorary President of WIZO.

In 1999, she was the recipient of the Prime Minister’s Award for Voluntary Service.

A kindergarten teacher by profession, she studied at the David Yellin teachers college, before going on to work with immigrant children in a transit camp.

MIchal Modai has been a member of the Jewish Agency’s Board of Governors from June 1997 through 2004. Since then she serves as a Committee Member. She is the Co-Chair of the Assembly Planning Committee.