The Sydney Jewish Writers Festival ran from 21-25 August 2024 at the Bondi Pavilion. We gathered against a backdrop of stunning ocean views to explore, speak, listen, write and dream. This year’s program theme was Genesis, SJWF 2024 was a true celebration of Jewish creativity, writing, authors, art and ideas. The Festival culminated with the inaugural Australian Jewish Book Awards and celebration of the shortlisted and winning authors.

For the first time, SJWF included two ‘Writers in Residence’ who attended sessions of their choosing. We hope you enjoy this session recap from our high school writer in residence, Judith Alia.

Award-winning writer, Marina Benjamin, in conversation with Tali Lavi

Later on in the Writers Festival, attendees were blessed with an appearance by the amazing and award-winning author Marina Benjamin, a conversation hosted by Tali Lavi, in which they discussed Marina’s most recent novel, ‘The Unseen Work of Women’, the last of her applauded trilogy. The book itself details the “behind the scenes” work of women in a patriarchal society, as well as Marina’s own struggle with ageing and exploiting other women for housework. Marina spoke about her writing journey, how her books almost always begin with an inexplicable urge to address an issue; ageing (book 1), insomnia (book 2), and unseen housework (book 3). During this discussion, Marina often referred to”the power of anonymity” in doing housework and how nowadays, “we’ve fled the idea of our materiality.” Marina herself attempts to find some joy in the manual labour of housework by connecting her work to the work of women generations before her, how the invisibility of housework has transcended time since the beginning of society. This self-opening discussion had a visible impact on all attendees and they seemed to be truly inspired to break away from the unrecognised cycle of the role of women in a patriarchal world.

Photo credit: Giselle Haber