About Us

Women for Life! Mission statement: Women for Life! is an independent organisation which was formed to unite Sydney's Jewish women in programs of Jewish learning and to create forums for manifesting their talents.

Women for Life! was co-founded in 1995 by Gavriella Aber and Lori Lurie as an organisation to promote Judaism, especially in areas of womanhood, among Jewish women. (Lori Lurie made aliyah to Israel in August, 1999, but still writes a regular column in the Women for Life! newsletter.)

Women for Life! has hosted international and interstate speakers for lectures or seminars, such as: Malka Touger (NY), Rabbi Shloma Majesky (NY), Rebbetzin Miriam Althaus (Melb), Rabbi Raphael Aron (Melb), Rebbetzin Esther Jungreis (USA), Miryam Swerdlow (NY), Rabbi Arik Naveh (Israel) and many more.

Women for Life! held a “Celebration of Women” at the HaKoah Club in July, 1999, where local women acted, sang, recited poetry, danced and more. In addition, there were displays of art and sculpture done by local women.

Women for Life! has run our “Day Away” twice. This is a Day which starts at 7am on a Sunday and goes until evening. Women board a bus to an unknown destination where they are treated to healthy kosher foods, a day of optional classes and workshops and time to relax. We choose a site where various massages and spas are available. The first time, we went to Hopewood Retreat in Wallacia. The second time we went to Homebush’s Novotel Hotel. The idea is to give the woman a Day Away – to recognise her needs and revitalise, and thus be able to go back to her routine with renewed energy. These Days have been very successful, with packed busses each time.

Women for Life! has put out a quarterly newsletter since 1998 called “Days of Our Lives”. The articles are written by local women on a variety of topics of interest to Jewish women. We have several regular columns including a recipe page. Click the Archives link for examples or the Days of Our Lives link to join our database and get the current issues by mail.

Women for Life! has been the driving force behind the fundraising drive for the Sydney Mikveh Society’s 1999 renovation of the mikveh facility in Bondi.

Women for Life! has been a resource for women’s classes in Judaism, both offering various courses and advertising the courses of others. We have run courses on finances, computer skills, menopause and other topics of interest to women.

Women for Life! has run the annual review of Family Purity for 8 years in Sydney. We have also run courses periodically for couples and husbands on this topic.

Women for Life! has published a “guide to the mikveh” describing various procedures of mikveh attendance.

Women for Life! has created “Bridal Packs” to be given to brides by Shules and Family Purity teachers. These packs have included literature and references about Family Purity, sample items of use for mikveh observance and calendars, etc.

Women for Life! has produced annual candle-lighting charts since 2003. These detail the blessings needed for lighting candles as well as the weekly lighting times in Sydney. See sample.

Women for Life! has produced Vestos Charts for recording information to aid the keeping of Family Purity since 1999. Details about these charts can be found on the SMS link.

Women for Life! has been involved in Kosher Week, a summer vacation opportunity to stay in a resort, Darlington Park located in Coffs Harbour with kosher gourmet food and luxurious accommodations. Women for Life! was involved in publicity the event as well as providing educational courses for Jewish women each morning.

Women for Life! has participated in various forums representing Jewish women and as one of Sydney’s Jewish women’s groups.

Women For Life

About Us