The Eve Besen Centre
The National Council of Jewish Women of Australia (Victoria) has launched The Eva Besen Centre in the Melbourne suburb of Caulfield.
Vivien Brass, NCJWA(Vic) President welcomed distinguished guests to Council House which included; Marc Besen and Eva Besen, Sylvia Gelman NCJWA(Vic) Life Governor, The Honorable Matthew Guy, Minister for Planning & Multicultural Affairs and Citizenship, David Southwick MP Member for Caulfield, Elizabeth Miller MP Member for Bentleigh and Michael Danby MP Member for Melbourne Ports.
“NCJWA(Vic)’s first premises was purchased in Westbury St, East St. Kilda as a result of the tireless efforts of an impressive group of women including Sylvia Gelman, Malvina Malinek, Mina Fink, Sadie Fink and Essie Wieselmann”, stated Brass.
“The next move to Council House was jointly orchestrated over the years as a result of the determination of Susie Balint, Malvina Malinek and Dr Geulah Solomon with the financial support of Annia Castan, Sadie Fink and Loti Smorgon.
We are now bursting at the seams, and are well and truly ready for the next phase in our expansion and development. We are extremely grateful to Eva and Marc Besen for this most generous donation, and for their commitment to NCJWA(Vic),” stated Brass.
The Besen contribution will provide NCJWA(Vic) with the freedom to think about how to design and develop a facility that helps to maximise their support in the community.
“I feel that today is another watershed moment in our history and I am honoured to be part of it”, added Brass.
The launch concluded with the unveiling of “The Eva Besen Centre” sign, now prominently displayed on the front of Council House.
A substantial grant of $1 million, generously donated by Eva Besen and Marc Besen, specifically for the renovation of Council House was acknowledged.
