Jordana Cutler inspires at UIA NSW Women’s Division innovative headline event
Over 600 supporters came together for the UIA NSW Women’s Division 2021 Headline Event on 14 March – an afternoon tea at 50 host homes across Sydney, while hearing from inspirational guest speaker Jordana Cutler, streamed live from Israel.
Jasmine Malul talks online with Jordana Cutler
“As far as we are aware, this is the first major community event anywhere in Australia to successfully adopt this hybrid approach, allowing us to come together in small, COVID-safe gatherings (or to enjoy individually from homes), while simultaneously streaming a speaker into every home,” UIA NSW Women’s Division President, Caroline Bolot said.
As the Head of Policy for Israel and the Jewish Diaspora at Facebook, where she has been for the past five years, Jordana Cutler spoke about Facebook’s stance on antisemitism and the fine line between free speech and hate speech within the digital realm. Jordana also discussed how Facebook is fighting against misinformation, referring to Facebook’s aim of “reducing, removing and informing” and removing antisemitic content such as Holocaust denial and harmful stereotypes against Jewish people. When it comes to removing hate speech, “It’s not enough to keep away the bad,” she said, “we need to help push the good to people.” For example, when a Facebook ‘search’ is conducted that contains terms related to either the Holocaust or Holocaust denial, they will be encouraged to connect with credible information off Facebook on a site run by the World Jewish Congress and UNESCO.
When asked by moderator UIA NSW Executive Director and Shlicha, Jasmine Malul what drew Jordana to Israel, she spoke of a trip to Israel as a teen, where she instantly felt she could “come and contribute and be a part of society.” Jordana also expressed gratitude to organisations such as Keren Hayesod-UIA, which laid groundwork for her to make Aliyah, as without them, she would never have had the opportunity to experience Israel in her youth.
The Women’s Division 2021 Campaign has chosen to focus its support on ‘Family Matters’, a violence prevention program which works to prevent domestic violence amongst Ethiopian Olim. “We have helped hundreds of families to better understand and practice healthy marital and familial relationships and communication strategies, working to prevent domestic violence by acting before those unhealthy situations emerged,” Caroline Bolot said.
“For over 100 years, through Keren Hayesod–UIA, we have helped the Jewish People to partner in critical missions empowering and strengthening the most vulnerable members of Israeli society,” she added.
“Even in these unusual times, our community continues to show its solidarity and unwavering partnership for our brothers and sisters in Israel. A big thank you to all of you for helping us to reunite our wonderful community – spread out yet all together.”
To donate to UIA’s 2021 Campaign, please visit uiaaustralia.org.au/donate-now
Join the UIA NSW Women’s Division Facebook group for updates on our 2021 Campaign: facebook.com/groups/uianswwomensdivision
Follow UIA on Facebook and Instagram (@uiaaus) for updates on our 2021 Campaign
