Jewish Women of Words

01/06/2025

As we head into Shavuot, some beautiful words for the soul from Keren Zelwer and Maggie May Moshe. VISIT jewishwomenofwords.com.au to read full articles.

Have you found joy or strength in something lately? We'd love to share your words too. Send your submissions to [email protected]

04/05/2025

Menucha Saitowitz reflects on the mixed feelings of celebrating Israel while still at war, of seeing miracles amidst the pain and strife.

https://jewishwomenofwords.com.au/postcard-from-israel-a-day-to-celebrate/

29/04/2025

Viv Parry writes about the intersection of October 7 and her powerful work to preserve the legacy of Melbourne’s child survivors.

Read her full article, "Preserving the Legacy of Child Survivors", here: https://jewishwomenofwords.com.au/preserving-the-legacy-of-child-survivors/

29/04/2025

Two Polish Holocaust survivors from Poland. United by shared tragedies and strengthened by the love for the children they raised.

Here is their story, "United by Shared Tragedies: the Story of Jacob and Rachel Kazimierek", as written by By Marilyn Shapiro: https://jewishwomenofwords.com.au/united-by-shared-tragedies-the-story-of-jacob-and-rachel-kazimierek/

29/04/2025

A leisurely stroll through the streets of Paris uncovers the hidden history of a trailblazing Jewish woman – Eva Kotchever, who built community for le***an women in the US and Europe in the 1920-30s before meeting her tragic end in Auschwitz.

Read the full article By Emily L Quint Freeman "A Street Named Eva Kotchever" here: https://jewishwomenofwords.com.au/a-street-named-eva-kotchever/

10/04/2025

Jews have always inserted their personal and communal stories into the seder night experience, including feminist retellings of the Haggadah. Read about some of these feminist perspectives and download supplements by Women's Archive , National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) and NAAMAT INTERNATIONAL

https://jewishwomenofwords.com.au/women-connecting-the-dots-for-freedom/

04/04/2025

Discover a different side of Israel in "Postcard from Israel: Beyond the Lens of War" by Menucha Saitowitz. Explore the everyday challenges and interactions in a country known for its complexities, through the eyes of an Israeli resident helping an old college friend rediscover the nation beyond its conflict-ridden image.

From navigating quirky local customs to engaging in deep, cross-cultural conversations, this article offers a unique perspective on life in Israel today.

Read the full article here:

The war has seeped into every interaction we have. It has become the lens through which we view the world. But it doesn’t have to be. So much is out of our control lately that we forget how much power we still have. We can’t decide when the war will end or influence our leaders’ decisions. But...

04/04/2025

Welcome to the first edition of JWOW, now part of NCJWA (Vic) suite of programs. We're proud to introduce our editorial team, led by two incredible women dedicated to making a difference:

Tamar Paluch, a former occupational therapist turned activist and writer, co-founded InternationALL Women's Day and 'A Year Like No Other.' From Tel Aviv to Los Angeles, Tamar uses her passion for storytelling to empower women during these confounding times.

Dr. Ann Wollner, a seasoned Family Lawyer and Child Psychologist, tirelessly advocates for social justice, child rights, and gender equality. With extensive experience in family violence and international parental child abduction, Ann's work has made significant impacts on policy and individual lives.

They are supported by the fantastic NCJWA VIC staff in Melbourne and our expert volunteer media liaison Tali Bar-Gil in Israel.

15/03/2025

"A reflection on October 7" takes a look at the profound changes faced by a community after an unimaginable tragedy. From daily routines to deep-seated fears, this personal account captures the lasting impact of a day that altered lives forever.

It's a powerful reminder of resilience in the face of adversity and the solidarity found within a community shaken to its core:

For the first time in my life I saw the real face of anti semitism.

15/03/2025

While rehearsing for 'Fiddler on the Roof,' Corinne reflects on her Jewish identity amid global events that echo the themes of the play itself. Her role as Yente becomes a lens through which she views her community's history and her personal connection to it.

Dive into Corinne Fernandez-Markov's compelling piece, "Who Am I?", where life imitates art in a profound way:

Ironically, I was rehearsing the role of Yente in a local Merimbula, NSW production of ‘Fiddler on the Roof' on 7 October 2023.

06/03/2025

𝗪𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗮 𝗯𝗶𝗴 𝗻𝗲𝘄𝘀 𝘁𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗼𝗻 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗪𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻’𝘀 𝗗𝗮𝘆!
Jewish Women of Words will from today be published under the umbrella of the NCJWA (Vic). For readers, writers and subscribers, nothing will change. JWOW will continue to hold space for Jewish women to explore their experiences and perspectives.

When we first discussed establishing an online platform for Jewish women writers, we had grandiose plans. Simone Szalmuk-Singer wanted to compete with Mamma Mia, Deborah Rechter wanted to create something high brow like the Monthly, and Liora Miller envisaged a regular newspaper column.

We are very proud to have created a lasting platform that supports and showcases Jewish women’s writing from all around the world. Jewish Women of Words has readers and regular contributors in the US, Israel and even Romania, as well as many Melbourne locals.

We have helped to strengthen confidence, produce published manuscripts and theses, connected writers with publishers, and teachers with students.

Through the pandemic, the Gaza war and daily struggles, JWOW provided opportunities for writers to express their fears, aspirations, memories and values. We are stopped in the street by people grateful for what we do and receive unsolicited essays from as far away as Canada.

JWOW has published nearly 600 articles, 300 newsletters, and countless social posts. We have published three posts a week almost every week, and mostly, these are uncommissioned articles.

Today’s gift is not just a transfer of management. It acknowledges the alignment between the values of Jewish Women of Words and the mission of the National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW).

To everyone who has contributed to Jewish Women of Words—as writers, editors, readers, and supporters—your efforts have made an impact.

We aspired to create a space for the many voices of Jewish women. We are certain that it will thrive under the umbrella of the NCJW (VIC) and look forward to seeing it reach even greater heights.

Thank you for your contributions and your community. It’s been an extraordinary adventure.

Goodbye, Deborah, Liora, Simone

National Council of Jewish Women of Australia - NCJWA

05/03/2025

Stay tuned for the big news!!