‘Unbreakable’ women unite at NCJWA conference

The National Council of Jewish Women of Australia brought together women from across Australia and beyond for its 2026 national conference in Sydney, uniting delegates around the theme of “Unbreakable” across two days of panels, keynotes and personal testimony.

The conference opened on Saturday night with a reception at Admiralty House hosted by Governor-General Sam Mostyn, who told the gathering she drew strength from the women in the room.

“When I spend time with a group of unbreakable women who are leading your communities through these very hard and traumatic times with such incredible strength and intellect and care, that gives me hope,” Mostyn said, pledging to use her office to “elevate care, kindness and respect above the division and discord”.

NCJWA national president Lynda Ben-Menashe used the opening night to pay tribute to the Governor-General’s support since the December 14 terror attack and to announce the organisation’s inaugural Esther Awards, which attracted 97 nominations recognising women who embody courage, conviction and leadership.

Ben-Menashe warned of a confluence of threats facing the Jewish community.