Quadrennial Convention
Sydney, Australia May 2018
It was an honour and privilege to attend the ICJW Convention in Australia May 27-30. Debbie Wasserman, NCJWC President and I were the 2 representatives from Canada. This was my first time in Australia and it was a wonderful experience.
The Convention took place at Council House which is the home of the Sydney Section of NCJW Australia. After registration and an executive meeting, there was an opening dinner at the Royal Motor Yacht Club. This was a wonderful opportunity to meet the delegates from 16 countries from around the world. One delegate from each affiliate carried flags from each country and Debbie Wasserman was our flag bearer.
The next two days were filled with excellent speakers whose topics ranged from Human Rights, Women in politics, Women with modern orthodoxy, Entrepreneurial women helping to save the planet, the sexualization of our children – Too much, too young, Listening to women from many cultures. Each speaker and panelist was excellent. The highlight for me was Professor Gillian Triggs who is the former president of the Australian Human Rights Commission. She was the first speaker and her talk was mesmerizing.
Lunches and tea breaks gave each of us an opportunity to speak with other delegates and talk about our affiliates. The issues and successes that we all face were most enlightening.
We were treated to the Captain Cook Dinner Cruise on Sydney Harbour which included VIVID. This is a spectacular light show of the buildings, bridges and boats in the harbour. My favourites were the changing lights of the Sydney opera house and the Sydney Bridge. What a treat!
The closing dinner was held at the North Bondi Surf Life Saving Club Restaurant located on Bondi Beach. Beautiful dinner and the installation of the new ICJW President, Penelope Conway from Great Britain.
The following day we had a tour of the Great Synagogue of Sydney and then walked to City Hall and met with the Lord Mayor of Sydney, Clover Moore.
Submitted by,
Sharon Allentuck
NCJWC Immediate Past President ICJW North American Vice-Chair.