Hearing their voices – Israeli Women: powerful stories at UIA Women’s Division 2024 headline events
Over 2,000 women came together for UIA Women’s Division 2024 headline events across Sydney, Melbourne and Perth for memorable gatherings of unity, connection and solidarity with the People of Israel.
This year’s in-person events featured three inspiring Israeli women: Liat Riff, Director of the Keren Hayesod-UIA (KH-UIA) Youth Futures’ Heartbeats Program, Michal Rahav, a survivor from the Kibbutz Nirim massacre and Moran Stela Yanai, a survivor of the Nova Festival massacre and freed hostage, who each shared their stories of resilience, bravery and strength in the aftermath of the 7 October massacre, while providing insight into life in Israel through a female lens.
Michal Rahav, Moran Stella Yanai and Marnie Perlstein
The UIA Australia Women’s Division Campaign began in NSW with a brunch, where antisemitism activist Marnie Perlstein moderated the panel of speakers. UIA VIC then held a supper with Zionist and feminist Keren Zelwer moderating the speakers, followed by UIA WA holding an evening event moderated by educational psychologist Adi Yaffe Fromovitz. Across the states, women of all demographics united for emotional, respectful and powerful events in support of the People of Israel, at a time when support is needed more than ever.
Liat Riff
UIA Women’s Division is committed to assisting Israel’s most vulnerable women, children and families through the KH-UIA Youth Futures’ Heartbeats Program. Heartbeats provides critical early intervention to families for the first 1,000 days of their babies’ life. Professionally trained mentors work with these traumatised, at-risk families and provide necessary emotional, psychological and parenting support.
This year, over and above UIA’s commitment to the newly established centre in Dimona, emergency support is needed for the Heartbeats centre in Ashkelon, southern Israel. Residents of Ashkelon have experienced the highest number of rockets in all of Israel since October 7 and the trauma inflicted has been devastating. Families are facing displacement from their homes, which has resulted in a drastic increase in child neglect and domestic violence. The demand for emotional and psychological support among parents has also dramatically risen.
“An amazing, emotional experience was had by all those who had the opportunity to attend the UIA Women’s Division events. The bravery and the strength shown by our speakers was palpable. Tears flowed from those attending and hearts were beating with empathy. I am so proud of the efforts of all those who put together these functions in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth. Now it is time for us to stand up and be counted. Your donations matter. We will be heard. We are here to stay. Am Yisrael Chai,” UIA Australia and WA Women’s Division President Debbie Schaffer said.
To donate to UIA’s Women’s Division 2024 Campaign, please visit uiaaustralia.org.au/donate
