ICJW

by Jordana Corenblum, President, Vancouver Section

November 9–12 I had the great privilege of attending the Herczeg Jerusalem Seminar in Haifa, Israel. I am so grateful for the bursary from National Council of Jewish Women Canada that allowed me to attend. The theme was Women’s Leadership in Diverse Communities: Forging a Common Future of Hope, and the women who organized this week certainly delivered speakers who wove this thread throughout our time together. What stayed with me isn’t a single standout moment, but a series of encounters that illustrated what people are capable of carrying, surviving, and (re)building.

Our visit to the Druze village of Julis was one of the most powerful parts of the program. Sitting with Sheikh Muwaffaq Tarif and other Druze community leaders was an honour. We also heard directly about what is happening in Suwayda, including the kidnappings, murders, and sexual violence. The parallels to the atrocities of October 7th were unmistakable, and there was a deep sense of helplessness in the room. I was frustrated with myself for not knowing more about this crisis before hearing from the Druze organizers and activists who shared so openly about what has been taking place there since July. It was sobering, and it underscored just how much complexity there is in the region.

Learning more deeply about The Dinah Project and their work on conflict-related sexual violence was a standout session as well. We continue to be horrified by the sexual violence we know took place on October 7th and the overwhelming denial of these brutal acts by too many. Gathering, analyzing, and verifying this kind of information is difficult but critical work. I have so much appreciation for those pursuing this kind of justice and persistently trying to repair some of the most broken parts of our world. The book they published is available to read in full here if this is of interest.

Professor Daphna Hacker brought a different kind of energy - sharp, grounded, and fiercely clear. Her Faculty of Law and Women and Gender Studies lenses managed to frame leadership in a way that felt both practical and hopeful, without glossing over the realities women are navigating right now. She spoke about how pessimism is a privilege, that the ability to focus on negative possibilities or afford to despair often stems from a position of security and having basic needs met. People in a precarious state, facing immediate threats or systemic marginalization, do not have the luxury of pessimism and must maintain a degree of optimism and hope to strive for a better future. It was such a powerful perspective.

Dr. Shoshan Haran was another profoundly powerful speaker. She shared about being held hostage in Gaza with her family and the murders of her husband, sister, and neighbors. She didn’t dramatize anything; she simply shared what it was like to survive something unimaginable. Dr. Haran largely attributed her composure and strength in captivity to the many books she had read about how people endured the Holocaust. While hearing her story of capture and release was of course incredible, we were also astonished by her long career in agriculture and her path to founding Fair Planet, a charitable organization devoted to alleviating hunger and realizing the dream of eradicating global hunger. It was impossible not to feel both moved and humbled by her dedication to the many causes she continues to champion despite the weight of the trauma (including her work with Hostage Aid Worldwide). I look forward to reading her book once it is published next year.
What struck me throughout the seminar was how much human capacity, grit, compassion, and ingenuity was on display - not in flashy or heroic ways, but in steady, committed, hard work. I left feeling inspired and grounded, and grateful for the chance to witness the kind of dedication that keeps communities stitched together, even in the hardest times.

The week also reminded me that the work we are doing in Vancouver and across Canada is tied to a larger international effort. Hearing about what other sections are creating in their own communities around the world gave me a strong sense of connection and momentum I hope we feel more a part of. We have even more opportunity for this with the new Canadian ICJW President Elect, Debbie Wasserman, at the helm come May. It will be exciting to have some of the international energy here at home in National Council of Jewish Women Canada.

Speaking at the United Nations for Girls Speak Out 2025 was one of the most meaningful experiences of my life. Walking into the UN Headquarters and seeing the room fill with diplomats, activists, and young people, the world felt surreal. None of this would have been possible without the International Council of Jewish Women and, especially, the National Council of Jewish Women of Canada, Vancouver Section. Their support, kind words, encouragement, and belief in me are the reasons I was able to take my place on that stage, and I am endlessly thankful for the doors they opened.

Throughout the planning process, I was the only Jewish girl involved, and that shaped how I participated. In our Zoom meetings, I often spoke about my experiences growing up Jewish, how community, justice, and responsibility (Tikkun Olam) are central values in my life. I shared how Judaism teaches us to show up for those who are vulnerable, to use our voices even when it feels uncomfortable, and to take collective action rather than waiting for someone else to lead. Bringing those ideas into our conversations sometimes shifted the way we approached certain topics or framed parts of the program, and it felt meaningful to contribute that perspective.

On the day of the event, October 10, 2025, as I was moderating and highlighting statistics while proudly wearing my Magen David, I talked about how 12 million girls are still married every year, a reminder of why global advocacy must continue. I also opened the recommitment discussion, inviting Member States and UN agencies to reaffirm their promises to girls’ rights. Sitting beside Annalena Baerbock, the President of the UN General Assembly, I could feel how seriously the room was taking these conversations.

Girls Speak Out 2025 wasn’t just a celebration; it was a call to action. And I left the UN proud to represent both girls worldwide and my Jewish community.

A big thank you to Jordana Corenblum, President of NCJWC Vancouver Section, for being my mentor throughout this process, and to Judy Mintz (ICJW) for accompanying me on the day of the event.