NCJWA invites nominations for inaugural Esther Awards
Australia’s peak Jewish women’s organisation has launched a new national awards program honouring women who have shown courage, leadership and commitment to the Jewish community.
The National Council of Jewish Women of Australia will open nominations for its inaugural Esther Awards on June 16, with the winners to be announced at Admiralty House in August at a reception hosted by Governor-General Sam Mostyn.
Named for Queen Esther, the awards will recognise Jewish and non-Jewish women who have acted with integrity, purpose and courage, often in difficult public or community settings.
NCJWA Esther judges: Prof. Marcia Langton, Lynda Ben-Menashe, Peter Wertheim, Di Hirsch, Jeremy Leibler, Dasi Ehrlich and Prof Kerryn Phelps
NCJWA president Lynda Ben-Menashe said the awards were created to recognise women whose contribution had strengthened the Jewish community and broader society.
“We want to celebrate both Jewish and non-Jewish women who have demonstrated leadership and made a meaningful difference on behalf of our community,” she said.
“Especially at a time of rising complexity and social tension, many women have stepped forward, often without formal power, and sometimes at personal or professional risk. These awards will recognise their courage, commitment and impact.”
The awards will be presented in four categories: the Esther Courage Award, the Esther Lifetime Contribution Award, the Esther Allyship Award and the Esther Rising Leader Award.
The judging panel includes Professor Kerryn Phelps, Professor Marcia Langton, Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-CEO Peter Wertheim, author and advocate Dassi Erlich, Di Hirsh, honorary secretary of the International Council of Jewish Women, Zionist Federation of Australia president Jeremy Leibler and Lynda Ben-Menashe.
The awards will form part of the opening of NCJWA’s national conference in August.
Nominations close on July 31 and may be made at ncjwa.org.au/conference.
