Australian becomes president of the International Council of Jewish Women
Robyn Lenn is the new President of the International Council of Jewish Women.
Matt Kean, Victoria Nadel, Robyn Lenn, Gabrielle Upton MP, Di Hirsh
The ICJW, established in 1912, is an umbrella organisation representing over 42 countries which represents the combined values of human rights, feminism and Jewish values advocating for Jewish women’s issues worldwide. Interestingly, ICJW’s establishment was influenced by the political ideals of internationalism in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, which was inspired by the idea of greater human and economic cooperation fuelling progress within the global arena.
Sydneysider Lenn is the first Australian to lead the international organisation, following an impressive national and international portfolio encompassing various leadership roles held since 1973 including director, vice president and OEM just to name a few. Lenn has managed all of this while maintaining a busy career in education while raising a family.
The actual inauguration took place a month ago in Prague, the Czech Republic and Robyn will lead ICJW for the next four years representing these organisations worldwide including locations such as New York, Geneva, Vienna and Paris.
MP Matt Kean was invited to speak at the event and congratulated the honour and responsibility Robyn will uphold as she takes upon the critically important role that the NCJWA plays in our community in standing up against discrimination and fighting for equality for women. He congratulated Lenn and wished her the utmost success in her leadership role.
‘The leadership qualities that have served you so well for so many years will serve the ICJW and you will be an outstanding leader of the organisation. We congratulate you and wish you every success as you continue to stand for equality and fight for women’s rights across the globe’.
Guest Speaker Lynda Ben-Menashe, NSW Jewish Board of Deputies Community Relations Manager and recent ICJW Representative at the UN Conference on the Status of Women in New York congratulated Lenn on her new role.
‘The Talmud teaches us that it is easier to placate a man than a woman, because the first man came from soft dust and the first woman came from hard bone. Robyn Lenn is no exception. She’s one tough cookie’.
Both women are serving important roles in the community that are focused on strengthening the voice and influence of women internationally by reaching out to affiliates within the community and the multitude of organisations existing worldwide. Currently the ICJW and NCJWA are working on human rights campaigns on human trafficking and the sexual objectification of women, just to name a few and continues to strive for enhanced interfaith activities as well as advocating for human rights and status of women issues both nationally and internationally.
The inauguration took place at the National Council of Jewish Women in Australia rooms in Sydney.
J-Wire congratulates Robyn Lenn and wishes her success as the new international representative of Jewish women worldwide.
