Community
Anita’s connection to community has always been an important part of who she is, both personally and professionally. As a Bondi local and proud member of the broader Sydney Jewish community, Anita is passionate about supporting meaningful causes, bringing people together, and using her platform to contribute in a positive and practical way.
Through Mise en Place, Anita has built a loyal and engaged community that extends far beyond home organising. Whether she is supporting local initiatives, lending her voice to causes close to her heart, or creating opportunities for connection, Anita brings the same warmth, energy and authenticity that her audience has come to know and love.
Community Initiatives
Anita is passionate about using her platform to support meaningful causes, bring people together and contribute positively to the community.
From local remembrance initiatives to fundraising efforts and everyday acts of kindness, her community work reflects the values at the heart of Mise en Place: care, connection and helping people feel supported.
Bondi Remembers
Following the tragic attack at Bondi Beach on 14 December 2025, Anita became heavily involved in Bondi Remembers, helping support a community grieving and trying to heal.
The Support Sydney donation initiative provides long-term assistance for eligible victims and families, including support for emergency living costs, medical and recovery-related needs, loss of income, children and dependants, and ongoing rehabilitation. The fund is designed to help families not only in the immediate aftermath, but in the months and years that follow.
Stones For Bondi
After the tragic attack at Bondi Beach, Anita helped create Stones for Bondi, a simple but powerful act of remembrance inspired by Jewish tradition. As the flowers at the memorial began to fade, Anita invited people to leave stones instead, which became a lasting symbol of love, grief and strength.
What began with one stone grew into a shared expression of unity, with people from across the community writing messages, prayers and names on stones placed at the Bondi memorial. The initiative offered mourners a quiet, meaningful way to honour those lost, stand together in resilience, and show that remembrance can endure.
One Mitzvah a Day
A mitzvah can be a small act of kindness, generosity or care, something simple that brings goodness into the world around us. Through One Mitzvah a Day, Anita encourages people to create positive change through everyday actions.
Whether it is checking in on someone, offering help, sharing encouragement or showing up for a person in need, the initiative is a reminder that even the smallest gestures can bring more light, connection and compassion into the world.
Recognition
Vaucluse Local Woman Of The Year
In 2026, Anita Birges was named Vaucluse Local Woman of the Year as part of the NSW Local Women of the Year Awards, a NSW Government program recognising women who make meaningful contributions to their local communities.
The recognition reflects Anita’s ongoing commitment to community service and her willingness to contribute in practical, thoughtful ways. Alongside her work as the founder of Mise en Place, Anita has volunteered her time to promote small businesses, spoken at school and community events, spent months helping remove anti-Israel and antisemitic graffiti from public spaces around Rose Bay, and supported the 36 Months Campaign, which advocated for raising the minimum age for social media to 16.
Anita is grateful for the opportunity to use her voice, time and platform to support causes that bring people together, strengthen local connections, and make a positive difference.
Wentworth Courier Article
A 2026 Wentworth Courier article recognised Anita Birges for her longstanding commitment to community service across Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs. The article highlighted her practical, hands-on approach to supporting local families, her advocacy through the 36 Months Campaign, and her willingness to step in where help is needed, from community events to local clean-up efforts.
It also acknowledged Anita’s role in bringing people together during difficult moments, including her support for mourners after the Chanukah by the Sea attack. Through these contributions, Anita continues to show the same care, warmth and action-focused spirit that sits at the heart of Mise en Place.
