Inspiration at our Convention in Sydney

Female Jewish leaders from 16 countries around the world enjoyed ICJW’s inspiring 3-day Quadrennial Convention in Sydney, Australia in May 2018.

The theme of the Convention was Evolving Beyond Tradition – the Impact of Women’s Perspectives and Developing Roles. Female role models from Australian political life were among the keynote speakers and guests at the Convention. These included local MP Gabrielle Upton (pictured here with 3 ICJW Presidents), Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore, who hosted the delegates at Sydney Town Hall, and Professor Gillian Triggs, former President of the Australian Human Rights Commission.

Leaders of the Jewish community also participated in the event, including Lynda Ben Menashe and Vic Alhadeff from the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies, and Victoria Nadel and Sylvia Deutsch, National Co-Presidents of NCJWA. ICJW’s local affiliate and hosts of the Convention. Hinda Young, Director of the Sydney Melton Program, and Gael Hammer, who founded the Sydney Women’s Tefilla Group, participated in a panel discussion on Women Within Modern Orthodoxy, together with Judith Levitan and Talya Wiseman. Dr. Don Perlgut, film reviewer for the Australian Jewish News, spoke about Jewish Women on Film.

Topics of global concern were discussed from a women’s perspectives. Dr. Anne Morris spoke about how women’s perspectives are changing the world. Jennifer Morris from Women for Election Australia spoke on Women Leading Change, and Melinda Tankard-Reist from Collective Shout, spoke about Forestalling the Sexualization of our Children. Two female activists – Ronni Kahn of OzHarves and Natalie Isaacs of One Million Women – talked about Entrepreneurial Women Helping to Save the Planet.

A fascinating session of intercultural dialogue brought together women representing the South Sea Island community, the Afghan Women’s community, and the local Hindu and Christian communities, to discuss  Listening to Women from Many Cultures.

The Convention delegates enjoyed at tour of the Great Synagogue and a talk on Jewish Sydney by Michael Gold, its former President. The Opening Dinner was held at the Royal Motor Yacht Club and the Gala Changeover Dinner at the North Bondi Surf Life Saving Club. The Convention organizer and ICJW President for the past 4 years, Robyn Lenn OAM, formally handed over leadership of the International Council of Jewish Women to Penelope Conway from the UK, who will lead the organisation for the next 4 years.

Our photo shows (from left to right) incoming President Penelope Conway, Sydney MP Gabrielle Upton, Past President Sharon Gustafson, and outgoing President Robyn Lenn OAM. (Courtesy: Wendy Bookatz)

More photos from the event by Wendy Bookatz can be found here.

Read the coverage of the Convention in the Australian Jewish News, June 2018