NCJWA honours inaugural Esther Award winners
The inaugural winners of the NCJWA Esther Awards have been announced at a reception hosted by Governor-General Sam Mostyn AC at Admiralty House.
The National Council of Jewish Women of Australia has announced the winners of its inaugural Esther Awards, recognising Jewish and non-Jewish women for their contributions to the Jewish community and broader Australian society.
The four winners were revealed on Saturday August 22 at a reception hosted by Governor-General Sam Mostyn AC at Admiralty House in Sydney, drawing from 97 nominations across four categories.
Victorian artist Nina Sanadze took out the Esther Courage Award for continuing to speak publicly against antisemitism despite facing harassment, doxxing, cancelled exhibitions and lost commissions. Sanadze went on to found Goldstone Gallery, creating a platform for artists facing exclusion and a space for public education and remembrance.
Queensland volunteer Carolyn Goldsmith received the Esther Lifetime Contribution Award after serving 21 continuous years as president of NCJWA’s Brisbane section, alongside involvement with the Queensland Jewish Board of Deputies and 14 years coordinating monthly programs for seniors.
The Esther Allyship Award went to NSW local government councillor and Brave Voices founder Carol Tannous-Sleiman, a Lebanese Christian Maronite who has advocated publicly for the Jewish community since October 7. Tannous-Sleiman led a Hunters Hill Council motion supporting adoption of the IHRA definition of antisemitism and has organised interfaith bridge-building events.
Stand Up leader Chloe Green received the Esther Rising Leader Award. Green, who has returned five times to the Indigenous communities of Toomelah and Boggabilla, now leads Stand Up’s Step Up and Trailblazer programs while preparing for a career in education.
The winners were selected by a judging panel that included Professors Marcia Langton AO and Kerryn Phelps AM, Peter Wertheim AM, Jeremy Leibler and Dassi Erlich.
NCJWA president Lynda Ben-Menashe said choosing just four winners from the field had been difficult.
“All the nominees, Jewish and non-Jewish, have shown a huge amount of courage and made a considerable positive impact on the Jewish and wider communities,” Ben-Menashe said. “They are all worthy Esthers.”
The organisation also announced seven new Life Governors and honorary life members, including past national presidents Robyn Lenn, Di Hirsh, Rysia Rozen, Sylvia Deutsch, Victoria Nadel and Negba Weiss-Dolev, along with past NSW president Barbara Shotland.