Published: 5 November 2021
Last updated: 4 March 2024
MELINDA JONES: In the wake of NIF's criticism of the IHRA definition of antisemitism, NCJWA's decision to hold joint seminars with NIF has prompted warnings that other groups will hesitate to engage with us, and benefactors may withdraw
ONE OF THE MANY things we have learnt throughout Covid is the enormous strength of our community and the great diversity within it. Previously unexpected alliances and collaborations have resulted from the need to move online, to reach people who are isolated and could not access community in the usual way.
We have also learnt that women have come out worse on every measure, as a result of the impact of Covid and the policies in place around it. Never has it been so obvious that the failure to apply a gender lens has devastating consequences on half the population.
The National Council of Jewish Women Australia is very concerned about violence against women, economic disparity, lack of gender representation and trafficking in women. We are concerned about antisemitism and misogyny - which have the same root and of which many Jewish women are victims.
We are concerned that while there is a gap in the treatment of indigenous and non-indigenous people, it is acceptable in society to treat some people as less than equal - and this is not ok.
Because women are part of almost every organisation, and where they are not, they very often should be, NCJWA is concerned with the work and operation of every single group in the Jewish community. Our aim is the empowerment of all women and the widespread understanding of how policies, processes and behaviour disempowers women.
The criteria for working with another organisation is not “do we agree with everything they say and do?” but “can they reach women and together can we improve the position of women?”
During 2021, the national board of NCJWA has collaborated in programming with individuals from 26 organisations. Some of them hold conflicting ideological positions - which makes it impossible for us to endorse any 100%. Consider the position of Orthodox Jewish women, Haredi women, Reform women and secular women all contributing to the way our members can gain strength.
