NCJWA VIC 

NCJWA(Vic) recently signed a MOU with Jewish Care in relation to Claims Conference Funding and the provision of socialisation activities and programs for Holocaust survivors delivered through NCJWA(Vic)'s Golden Age Clubs. The Clubs, located in St Kilda, Prahran and  South Melbourne are coordinated by Nellie Khoroshina.

L-R: Shirley Glance,  Jackie Lewinsohn & Nellie Khoroshina  

We wish all our members and friends a very happy Purim!

Our office is open and Bridge will take place as usual.

The office will be closed on Friday 25 March and Monday 28 March, due to public holidays.

Yom Hazikaron Commemoration
Tuesday 10 May, 7:30pm (doors & Memorial Room open at 7pm)
Erev Shirei Zikaron (Songs of Remembrance) immediately following the ceremony
Robert Blackwood Hall, Monash University, Clayton 
http://www.zionismvictoria.org.au/yom-hazikaron-commemoration-3/
https://www.facebook.com/events/1279968238685521/

Transition Ceremony/טקס מעבר
Transition from Yom Hazikaron to Yom Ha’atzmaut for families and primary school age children.
Wednesday 11 May, 5:30-6:30pm
Beth Weizmann Community Centre, 306 Hawthorn Road, Caulfield South 
http://www.zionismvictoria.org.au/transition-ceremony%D7%98%D7%A7%D7%A1-%D7%9E%D7%A2%D7%91%D7%A8/ 
https://www.facebook.com/events/175463449504915/

Blue & White Night – Erev Yom Hazikaron Celebration for adults
Instead of the concert, we have a completely new festivity, primarily targeted at adults. There will be live music, DJ, Shira B’Tzibur, Israeli dancing, regular dancing, story-telling, great food and a full bar - and much more (see the press release). We’re very excited about this new concept and hope you’ll all come out to support it!
Wednesday 11 May, 7:30-10:30
Beth Weizmann Community Centre, 306 Hawthorn Road, Caulfield South
http://www.zionismvictoria.org.au/blue-white-night/
Booking link: https://zionismvictoria.iwannaticket.com.au
https://www.facebook.com/events/630355930450157/

Israel’s Birthday Bash – Young Adult Party
Wednesday 11 May, 9:00pm-1:00am
Jacksons, Trak Centre

Yom Ha’atzmaut Family Festival
Thursday 12 May, 4-7:30pm
Beth Weizmann Community Centre, 306 Hawthorn Road, Caulfield South
http://www.zionismvictoria.org.au/yom-haatzmaut-family-festival-2/
https://www.facebook.com/events/207851072915991/

Israel Shabbat
Israel Shabbat is a new initiative aimed at expanding the community’s celebration of Yom Ha’atzmaut, Israel’s Independence Day.
Shabbat 13-14 May
http://www.zionismvictoria.org.au/israel-shabbat/
https://www.facebook.com/events/1329968677028560/

Yom Ha’atzmaut Raffle
Four great prizes are on offer!! Winner to be drawn at the Family Festival
http://www.zionismvictoria.org.au/2016-yom-haatzmaut-raffle/
https://www.facebook.com/events/199560777084513/

In acknowledgement of International Agunah Day, the Unchain My Heart committee is asking Melbourne Jewry to join us at  Lamm library car park 1.00 pm Wednesday in a symbolic release of balloons to symbolise the freedom we are seeking for Melbourne Agunot.

Like an agunah, Queen Esther was trapped in a marriage against her will. On Ta'anit Esther, Queen Esther united all of the Jewish people with fasting and prayer. The purpose of this fast was to tackle the spiritual threats to the Jewish nation, while devising a practical plan to save the lives of her people and ultimately bring justice to the evil people threatening them.

This Agunah Day, Ta'anit Esther, organizations across the globe have joined together in solidarity for all the agunot and mesuravot get (women refused Jewish divorces). Like Queen Esther in those days at this time, we call on the Jewish world to unite in eradicating the spiritual ill that is get recalcitrance; in seeking and implementing real, practical solutions for agunot; and demanding justice for get refusers.

We are at a junction in Jewish history where we are more educated, more prosperous and more politically empowered than ever before. THE TIME FOR SOLVING THE AGUNAH CRISIS IS NOW. As Mordechai said to Queen Esther, "And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?"

Show your support by changing your profile pictures to this solidarity ribbon this Agunah Day.

The difference starts with us, united.

photo: Carolyn Kitto and Bette Schmideg

In recognition of International Women’s Day, on Thursday NCJWA (Vic) held an event at the Glen Eira Theatrette with guest speaker Carolyn Kitto, Director of STOP THE TRAFFIK Australia.

Included was a screening of Sumangali: The Untold Story, which powerfully tells the stories of women and girls who have been deceived, coerced and trafficked into the cotton mills of Tamil Nadu, India.

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY MESSAGE FROM INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL OF JEWISH WOMEN
 
On March 8, 2016 there will be worldwide activities marking the most important date in the calendar for women globally.
 
Women’s Day was initiated in various countries in the early years of C20. From 1914 International Women’s Day, March 8, has been observed worldwide as a focus for action on women’s rights and gender balance.
 
The theme of International Women’s Day 2016 is PLEDGE FOR PARITY.
 
Within the Jewish world this theme can be applied to age-old issues for which organisations like ICJW have been advocating through decades. Ongoing problems of Jewish divorce, the dilemma of agunot and the wish to upgrade the status of Jewish women within our faith have long occupied ICJW. 
 
On a global stage, Women’s Rights remain a dominant issue in international fora, including the NGO organisations within which our ICJW representatives work. Let’s use our combined power to remind the world and the Jewish world that women can and do achieve great results when they work together.
 
Join ICJW women all over the world in observing this UN Day on Tuesday March 8!

sitting: L-R Shirley Glance (President NCJWA Vic), Samantha Blau (bride), Selma Blau (grandmother)
standing: L-R Gloria Blau (mother of bride), Rachelle Buchbinder (mother of groom), Annette Sweet (groom’s aunt and host)

NCJWA (Vic) recently held a pre-wedding party for Samantha Blau on the occasion of her forthcoming marriage to Adam Rischin.
 
Samantha requested that donations be given to the Haifa Rape Crisis Centre, a project supported by NCJWA (Vic).

Kol Hakavod to Joanne Gubieski, a finalist in the Glen Eira Rotary’s Wonder Woman of the Year Awards.
 
Joanne is pictured here with her mother at a special dinner held to acknowledge the Glen Eira’s Wonder women.  
 
Joanne has been involved with the National Council of Jewish Women of Australia (Vic) for over ten years. She commenced as a volunteer with the seniors’ program, assisting with food preparation and other related tasks. No job was ever too menial for her and she brought dedication, reliability, practicality and a kindness that endeared her to seniors and fellow volunteers alike. Joanne is now an active and contributing member of the fundraising committee, where she assists in all areas of fundraising. She has demonstrated that she is a great team worker and freely gives of her time for the benefit of others.
 
Joanne has also been the coordinator of the Mitzvah Day program for NCJWA (Vic) since 2013. This is an international annual day of social action that takes place in November each year. Her idea of collecting toiletries and sample goods to distribute gift bags to disadvantaged clients of Community Information Glen Eira has proven successful. It has provided a functional and practical gift pack for hundreds of people in need for whom personal care and small luxury items are often the least of their priorities. The gift packs lets those in need know that others do care for them. Joanne is also a co-coordinator of Council’s fundraising Bridge Day event, which has raised much needed funding money for Council’ s Caring Mums program.
 
Joanne has also been involved for the past 21 years as a volunteer with Community Information Glen Eira, and has served as Secretary of the Management Committee.
 
NCJWA (Vic) is thrilled to have Jo’s support.  Mazal Tov Jo on this wonderful recognition.

Fantastic NCJWA (Vic) Luncheon at Cranlana House, with speaker The Honourable Linda Dessau AM, Governor of Victoria and hosted by Lady Marigold Southey AC together with NCJWA (Vic) President Shirley Glance.

Lady Marigold Southey AC, President Shirley Glance, Governor Linda Dessau AM

Governor Linda Dessau AM, Lady Marigold Southey AC

Governor Linda Dessau AM, President Shirley Glance