Women gather at The Great Synagogue to mark International Women’s Day
March 10, 2026 by J-Wire News Service
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Eighty women gathered at Sydney’s The Great Synagogue for “Celebrating Collective Creativity”, a special evening held on the eve of International Women’s Day, bringing together art, reflection and community connection.
Centred on the theme “From Grief to Inspired Healing”, the event honoured the memory of the Bondi victims and highlighted the work of women preserving the powerful tributes left at the Bondi memorial site and at The Great Synagogue.
Guests heard moving presentations from three remarkable speakers.
Community member Anita Birges shared her deeply personal journey through grief and how the simple act of placing river stones created a collective experience of remembrance.
Jana Vytrhlik, curator at The Great Synagogue, spoke about the hundreds of flowers and messages of support left outside the synagogue gates and the work now underway to preserve them for future generations.
Melbourne-based artist *Nina Sanadze spoke about courageously using her art to tell stories of resilience from communities facing oppression and conflict.
A beautiful display of preserved flowers from those left outside the synagogue and artwork sent in from schools and wider community members expressing their support formed a poignant centrepiece for the evening.
Guests also took part in decorating river stones with words representing strength and resilience, before marking the end of Shabbat with a joyful Havdalah, with song, wine and light.
The evening included a themed dinner celebrating the culinary traditions honouring the Eastern European community .
Attendees described the event as deeply moving and inspiring. One guest shared that “it was a truly memorable night that filled my heart with light,” while another reflected that the evening was “interesting, informative, emotional and bonding.” Others praised the speakers’ bravery and the powerful stories shared throughout the evening.
The event forms part of The Great Synagogue’s Great Women initiatives, which celebrate women’s leadership, creativity and contribution to community life.
