Na’amat Brasil held a special event at its new headquarters to mark International Women’s Day, bringing together guests and community leaders for an evening of celebration, reflection, and dialogue. The program featured journalists Mariliz Pereira Jorge and Leila Sterenberg, two respected voices known for turning information into meaningful debate and social impact. The conversation, moderated by Denise Joszef and Joyce Markovits, explored transformations in journalism, the challenges of contemporary feminism, and the importance of amplifying women’s voices in the public sphere.

The event opened with remarks from Celia Parnes, president of Fisesp (Israelite Federation of the State of São Paulo) and secretary-general of CONIB (Brazilian Israelite Confederation), and Sergio Napchan, CONIB’s executive director. 

Napchan emphasized the significance of Na’amat’s work, shared insights from a recent ADL event in New York, and warned about the alarming rise of antisemitism. “Anti-Zionism is advancing, and we, who proudly carry a Zionist identity, must understand how we are being perceived and how we can reshape this narrative,” he said. “Na’amat is the largest international organization of Zionist women in the world. To sustain this role requires courage, boldness, and a good dose of chutzpah. A Hebrew word with many meanings — but today I choose one in particular: audacity. The audacity to be light in times of shadow.”

Celia Parnes also highlighted Na’amat’s legacy: “Na’amat has never been just an organization. From its inception, it was an act of rupture — a movement that understood, long before it became consensus, that women’s leadership is not a concession, but a condition for the advancement of any society.” She added: “The true challenge lies not in memory, but in continuity. Many women today, like us, celebrate achievements — but how many are we truly preparing? And more than that: how many can transform presence into influence, and influence into real impact? Congratulations to leaders like Denise Joszef and Joyce Markovits, to Clarice Joszef, former president of Na’amat Brasil, and to the entire board, volunteers, and collaborators.”

Beyond honoring inspiring journeys, the gathering addressed urgent issues of today, including the global rise of antisemitism, the distortion of narratives on social media, and alarming rates of violence against women.

Source: Celia Bensadon / Conib

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