Hurst announced president of UIA International Women’s Division
Penny Hurst was announced as the new President of UIA – Keren Hayesod International Women’s Division at the recent International Women’s Division Conference held in Paris.
Penny Hurst
Actively involved in Israeli and Jewish affairs since 1975, Sydney-based Penny has held various leadership positions within Keren Hayesod United Israel Appeal including as Chairman of Women’s Division NSW, Chairman General Division NSW and President, Women’s Division Australia. She is also a Life Chairman of UIA NSW.
Internationally she was Vice President of International Women’s Division for English-Speaking Countries.
In 1998 Penny received the inaugural Keren Hayesod Yakir Award in honour of Israel’s 50th Anniversary for outstanding service to the Jewish people at a ceremony at the Citadel in Jerusalem which was attended by the President of Israel and three Israeli Prime Ministers, past and present.
In 2007, she received the Member of the Order of Australia Award (OAM) from the Australian Government for her service to the Jewish community, particularly through the United Israel Appeal of Australia and through fundraising for educational organisations.
In her speech on being elected Penny declared that “I am proud and feel privileged to accept the position of IWD President. I also feel a deep sense of responsibility to continue the legacy that has been handed down by those who have gone before.”
UIA Federal President Harold Finger praised Hurst. “Penny and I have worked together for decades and it is a wonderful recognition of her standing in the global Keren Hayesod community and a wonderful reflection on the standing of the Women’s Division of UIA Australia. On behalf of UIA Australia I wish her much success in the role.”
Penny concluded her speech with the following powerful statement. “as a Jewish woman….every day of the week ….every week of the year….every year of my life ….I walk taller because we have Israel ….it is Israel that gives us our pride… our dignity and our strength.”
