Fanny Reading

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Fanny Reading 1926

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Fanny Reading 1949.png

Fanny Reading (née Fanny Rubinovich; 2 December 1884 – 19 November 1974) was an Australian Jewish community leader and medical practitioner. She is best known for her work in establishing and leading the National Council of Jewish Women of Australia (NCJWA).

Early Life

Fanny Rubinovich was born on 2 December 1884 in Kiev, Ukraine, which was then part of the Russian Empire. She emigrated to Australia with her family in 1889, settling in Ballarat, Victoria.

Education

Reading attended the University of Melbourne, where she studied medicine. She graduated with a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) in 1906.

Medical Career

After completing her studies, Reading worked as a general practitioner in Sydney, New South Wales. She was one of the few female doctors in Australia at the time and was known for her dedication to her patients and her community.

Community Leadership

In 1923, Fanny Reading founded the National Council of Jewish Women of Australia (NCJWA), an organization aimed at promoting the welfare and rights of Jewish women in Australia. Under her leadership, the NCJWA grew to become a significant force in the Australian Jewish community, advocating for social justice, education, and health.

Legacy

Reading's contributions to both the medical field and the Jewish community in Australia have been widely recognized. She was awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1961 for her services to the community.

Death

Fanny Reading passed away on 19 November 1974 in Sydney, New South Wales.

See Also

• National Council of Jewish Women of Australia
• Order of the British Empire
• University of Melbourne