She’ela festival for sheilas
THE She'ela Festival is back. For the second year running, the one day women's festival of inspiration, empowerment and connection will take residence at Glen Eira Town Hall on Sunday. The event offers a selection of presentations and workshops by and for Jewish women.
THE She’ela Festival is back. For the second year running, the one day women’s festival of inspiration, empowerment and connection will take residence at Glen Eira Town Hall on Sunday (October 22). The event offers a selection of presentations and workshops by and for Jewish women.
The theme for the festival is “Letting Go”. Founder and organiser Naomi Rubinstein told The AJN that while the subject of forgiveness was initially considered, it is loaded with too much “heaviness” and “negative connotations”.
“Letting go is so much easier said than done. All presenters will touch on the theme, and the importance of moving on and not holding on to things – all for wellness really,” said Rubinstein.
The program runs from 8.30am to 8.15pm comprising more than 25 different workshops and presentations with yoga, meditation, story writing, motherhood, fear and positivity just some of the topics on offer. Participants can attend individual sessions or stay for the entire festival.
Sure to draw a solid audience, the question, “Jewish celebrity or celebrated Jew?” will be pondered by the keynote panel of musician Deborah Conway, former model and celebrity Tziporah Malka, and broadcaster Libbi Gorr, moderated by journalist Rachelle Unreich.
Other presenters include writer Fiona Grinwald, comedian Rachel Berger, educator Adina Bankier-Karp and psychologist and author Esther Takac.
Shterny Dadon, director of the Australian Jewish Fertility Network will be performing her play, Voices Unheard, followed by a panel discussion “Pathways to Motherhood”. The theatrical piece explores the issue of infertility.
“What we hope by having these events is not just to bring the issue out into the open, but also to be able to reach those people who need the help,” explained Dadon.
“The more that we have opportunities to show this play the more that we can normalise the infertility struggle and help make it easier for those that are struggling.”
The chance for connections to be found and forged among participants is something which drives Rubinstein in creating a diverse program. “I’m looking forward to being able to witness the women – of all different backgrounds – crossing paths and seeing walls fall down.”
Rubinstein added that she knows of two sets of three generations of women that will be in attendance. “And that’s what I love more than anything: For women to see this as an opportunity to come with their daughters, come with their granddaughters, and be able to spend the day together.”
For more information and tickets, visit www.sheelafestival.org.
REBECCA DAVIS
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