Jewish women from 35 Commonwealth countries gathered together on Zoom for the launch of a new Jewish women’s network.
Canada and Australia are familiar to us, but it is an education to learn that Eswatini (Swaziland), Barbados, Mozambique and the Cayman Islands also have their own Jewish communities, however small. This was Klal Yisrael in action.
The group’s aims are value-based, enabling Jewish women in the Commonwealth to come together and be a force for good. However, it is not just about sharing, caring and growing. Some strong words were said about the importance of ending domestic violence and improving gender equality. Covid-19 has had a major economic impact on Commonwealth countries and women’s lives.
The launch was led by Laura Marks OBE, who founded Mitzvah Day and co-founded Nisa-Nashim, the Jewish-Muslim women’s group. We were delighted to hear the Right Hon. Baroness Scotland QC’s address, as she referenced her childhood in Walthamstow living next to “Boundary Road shul” as she warmly called it.
Rahima Mahmut, the Director of the World Uyghur Congress London office touched our hearts by recounting the shocking reality of the plight of her women, who have experienced slavery, rape and forced sterilisation. Dr Aliza Inbal, Director for the Pears Program for Global Development talked about her innovative Israeli projects.
“Alone we are invisible, together we are invincible,” said Baroness Scotland, the Dominican born Secretary-General of the Commonwealth. Let’s see how this new diverse organisation harnesses the power of so many strong women.
by Anne Goldstein