Mark International Women's Month with the Alliance of Jewish Women
Firstly welcome back to the Alliance of Jewish Women [AJWO].
Having struggled in our endlessly busy world to support our AJWO members last year, we have commissioned Libi to help us refocus and to deliver the Jewish women’s voice that is so important both within and beyond the Jewish world. More to come on our event post Pesach, with the promise of quarterly newsletters. In the meantime, please find some updates from our members and their powerful work supporting women this International Women’s Month.
Under the 2025 IWD theme #AccelerateAction Jewish organisations have been playing their part. Here are just a few examples of events, articles and seminars that have taken place to bring you up to speed.
Wishing you a chag sam'each this Pesach!
Mia Hasenson - Gross
Nicky Goldman
Laura Marks CBE
Merav Shany
Jewish Leadership Council Annual International Women's Day Conference
Focusing on this years’ theme of ‘Accelerating Action', JLC offered a day full of opportunities to learn, listen and connect with one another.
Keynote Speaker Linda Plant, spoke of her career development- moving from marketplace to the London Stock Exchange. Contributions ranged from Jewish Women’s Aid, Keshet UK and Jewish Care, Claudia Mendoza [CEO of JLC], Jo Bucci [CEO at the Jewish Chronicle] and Harriet Waley-Cohen [multiple-award winning speaker, trainer and coach].
Offering time for personal reflection, themes of personal development, allyship and leadership were spotlighted.
Get involved with JLC numerous training programmes, designed in aid of your personal development. Sign up now to "Facilitating and Chairing Effective Meetings with Confidence" on Wednesday 11 June 2025.
René Cassin's International Women's Day Event: Accelerate Action for Detained Refugee Women
René Cassin advocates for the importance of welcoming refugee women into society. Remembering the history of Jewish female internment on the Isle of Man in the 1940s, the panel drew parallels to immigration detention today, a reality that threatens a refugees physical and mental wellbeing.
Listen to the voices of Meryl O’Rourke [standup comic and writer of “Thrown by Giants”], Agnes Tanoh [facilitator at Women for Refugee Women], Reem Assil [member of the Freedom from Torture’s One Strong Voice Coalition], Sophie Cartwright [Senior Policy Officer at Jesuit Refugee Service UK]. Chaired by Łucja Jastrzębska, Communication Manager, at René Cassin.
Commonwealth Jewish Council (CJC) spotlights Women in Leadership
The CJC's legacy of championing women's empowerment and inclusivity was exemplified by the hosting an inspiring and thought-provoking "Women in Leadership" event.
In conversation with an esteemed panel of trailblazing women who have risen to the highest levels of leadership, breaking barriers and paving the way for future generations.
With their unique capacity, in engaging voices from across the Commonwealth, spanning A to Z (Antigua to Zambia), CJC were able to curate a one-of-a-kind conversation, that was both intimate and authentic.
Panel included Her Excellency Macenje Mazoka [High Commissioner of Zambia], Lady Vivien Rose DBE [Justice of the Supreme Court] and Her Excellency Karen- Mae Hill OBE [High Commissioner of Antigua & Barbuda],chaired by Laura Marks CBE [Trustee of the CJC].
Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) marked International Women's Day with Women of Resistance Webinar
ROM explored the role Jewish women played in resisting oppression in Nazi-occupied Europe. The boldness and bravery of women; discussing themes of agency, motherhood, and spiritual resistance.
Rachel Libman [Toronto Holocaust Museum Curator] in discussion with Judith Rosenbaum [feminist historian and activist, CEO of the Jewish Women’s Archive] and Sara Horowitz [Professor of Comparative Literature and Jewish Studies at York University]; sharing a lesser-known story across history, the resilience of women.