JLC Embraces Equity for International Women’s Day 2023

The JLC and Lead once again held their highly anticipated annual International Women’s Day event on Wednesday 8 March, centred around this year's theme ‘Embrace Equity’. The annual celebration was held at the newly rebuilt Finchley Reform Synagogue with over 50 attendees who hold professional or lay positions within the community.

The opening session, chaired by the JLC’s Michelle Mitchell, focused on embracing equality within the workplace. Attendees heard from Jewish Care CEO Daniel Carmel-Brown, Nechama Kutner of Lloyds Banking Group and Rona Harvey of PUBLIC who discussed what equity means, why it is important, and the steps they have taken to increase it in their organisations. Breakout sessions followed, providing space to learn and discuss practical ways to incorporate these principles. 

The day was packed with insightful and engaging conversations, including one chaired by JLC Co-CEO Michelle Janes who hosted Finchley Reform Synagogue Rabbi, Miriam Berger, Liberal Judaism CEO Rabbi Charley Baginsky, New London Masorti Synagogue’s Rabbi Natasha Mann and Rabbi-in-Training Miriam Lorie. They each discussed their faith leadership journeys and how being a woman has influenced and shaped their experience. 

Leading public policy analyst Sam Freedman of ARK was in conversation with JLC Co-CEO Claudia Mendoza on what government policy and system changes would make the greatest impact on working women. Meanwhile, Cevin Owens of Harvard Business School and UJIA Chief Executive Mandie Winston were in conversation with the JLC’s Natasha Glass exploring whether policy changes were needed or if the focus should be on empowering women and having transparent conversations. Topics on the table included whether a menopause policy was needed and what a family-friendly policy would mean in an organisation. In the final session the JLC’s Cheryl Bodie, alongside representatives from Jewish Women’s Aid and Keshet UK, hosted a session on Diversity in Action. 

The event received high praise from attendees. One participant said that “it's definitely the time to shine for women in the working world however there is still lots of work to be done, we have the platform let's keep using our voices to make a difference and be heard!” Another noted how “it was a meaningful and important event, inspiring to learn from and connect with leaders in our community.”

Michelle Janes, Co-CEO of the Jewish Leadership Council said:

“Our International Women’s Day annual event has become a landmark day for many communal organisations to gather and grapple with important issues. We are delighted and proud to bring together so many partners in the community to mark International Women’s Day and to continue working towards greater equity, awareness and understanding within the community.”