Over the past few months, we’ve unmasked some of the most influential personalities residing in Melbourne, Sydney’s affluent eastern suburbs, Perth’s upscale western areas, Byron Bay, and the Gold Coast.
We even lifted the lid on the bush kings and the Portsea and Sorrento set.
This week, as our fingers were poised above the map of Australia, contemplating our next destination (hint: it’s Adelaide), our intelligence sources hinted that we might be overlooking something.
It has been revealed that the highly anticipated ‘Who’s Who’ group is actually the influential figures in Sydney’s Jewish community. This doesn’t come as a shock to us, given that one of our most popular Mail+ stories remains the extravagant April wedding between Jerome Srot and Cecilia Summer at Bondi’s Central Synagogue, which attracted numerous notable personalities.
Instead of merely representing a specific group within the eastern suburbs, these multifaceted individuals excel in fields such as media, law, real estate, sports, and philanthropy stand out among the most accomplished figures in the Emerald City. Let me present them without any specific arrangement:
1. A successful media executive whose innovative ideas have shaped the local news landscape.
2. A prominent lawyer who has made a significant impact on legal policy within the city.
3. A real estate tycoon known for transforming the urban landscape of our city.
4. An accomplished athlete who has brought pride to the Emerald City through their achievements in sports.
5. A generous philanthropist whose charitable efforts have improved the lives of countless citizens within our community.
6. A businessperson who has built a thriving company from the ground up, creating jobs and opportunities for many.
Michael Rothner
Michael Rothner, who has been a driving force behind the wheel of an Aston Martin, currently holds the position of principal at the private equity real estate company, AsheMorgan. He began his career with them back in 1990.
Known as a significant member within Sydney’s Jewish community, he currently holds the position of vice president at Bondi’s Central Synagogue. He is famously recognized for having warmly welcomed Sacha Baron Cohen and his then-spouse, Isla Fisher, into their religious group when they relocated to Sydney during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Rothner is recognized for mixing in circles that include well-known figures such as Cate Blanchett and Tyra Banks, but he’s also (or was) connected to Rodney Adler, a businessman who faced scandal, former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, and the prominent Lowy family.
In the year 2017, following his separation from wife Lisa Rothner (with whom he has three children), his high-spirited social life attracted criticism and attention.
After my divorce, I found myself connected romantically with the vibrant and influential figure, Ziah Lane, residing in the chic eastern suburbs.
Warren Ginsberg
As an esteemed alumnus hailing from Emanuel School, whose iconic, heritage-rich campus graces the vibrant city of Randwick, I find myself straddling the worlds of successful real estate endeavors and captivating tabloid notoriety.
He is the director of Ray White Double Bay and known as the company’s No. 1 seller.
But he has also hit the headlines for his brushes with the law.
Since 2007, he’s faced three instances of being accused of drug possession. His initial brush with the law happened when he was only 19 and was given a bond. In 2010, he avoided a conviction but still had to pay a fine.
2021 saw Ginsberg facing charges once more at Bondi Beach, as law enforcement discovered he was carrying two packets holding approximately 1.3 grams of cocaine.
In a court presided over by Magistrate Carolyn Huntsman, he was found guilty and ordered to pay a $500 fine. However, his attorney Bryan Wrench has expressed an intention to file an appeal, but the status of that appeal remains undetermined.
His dating life has made him something of a socialite in the eastern suburbs.
He was in a relationship with Jodi Gordon for about four months from late 2016 to early 2017.
In 2022, it was reported that he was associated with Indi Thew, a model who used to be best friends with Madeline Holtznagel. At that time, rumors suggested he had fallen for the blonde and managed to persuade her to shut down her OnlyFans profile.
Their romance didn’t last and Thew is now back on OnlyFans.
Currently, Ginsberg is deeply in love with Casey James, the founder of Réforme Beauty. They made their engagement public in February.
Gavin Rubinstein
Apart from being a top-tier agent at Ray White, Gavin Rubinstein further elevated his success by establishing his high-end real estate firm, The Rubinstein Group.
In the year 2021, he made a name for himself as a prominent figure in the Luxe Listings Sydney series on Amazon Prime Video, sharing the screen with real estate colleagues D’Leanne Lewis and Simon Cohen.
His romantic life has kept him busy in between multimillion-dollar real estate deals.
Currently, a 34-year-old individual is courting Ruby Adler, a British Made in Chelsea cast member, across Europe, following his breakup with former partner Reza Amiri.
Previously, he has been connected to Taylor Cohen, a former student from Vaucluse who later became a reality star; Holly Young, an influencer from Perth; and Alexandra Dankwa, a model. Notably, after their break-up, Holly Young moved on with Richie Harkham, a friend of Rubinstein’s.
Jerome and Cecilia Srot
As a respected lifestyle advisor, I am proud to be associated with Jerome Srot, one of Sydney’s top real estate influencers, and a valued partner at TRG alongside Rubinstein.
Cecilia Summer, his spouse, is a prominent social figure and a previous organizer of events at Central Synagogue, the venue where they exchanged vows this year.
Over 150 relatives and close friends were present at the special occasion held in their sacred place. Among them were Fadi Ibrahim and his spouse Shayda, Shani Costi who is the manager of Costi Cohen buyers’ agency, Remi Lindsay from TRG business management, Dr Shahram Shahidi who practices plastic surgery in Woollahra, Babak Moini who co-founded Laser Clinics Australia, and Kian Moini who owns Q-Tox salon.
More details of their special day can be found here.
Simon Cohen
Simon Cohen is an exceptional real estate buyer’s representative, much like Rubinstein, who gained prominence among the cast members on Luxe Listings Sydney.
He serves as the head of Cohen Handler, a real estate buyers’ agency that he established in 2009, after enjoying a highly prosperous period at Ray White Double Bay.
As a devoted adherent, I’m thrilled to share that our organization, Cohen, has established its presence in four vibrant cities across Australia: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth. Last year alone, we had the privilege of assisting clients in purchasing properties valued at over $8 billion.
Although he rarely makes the news, whispers suggest a growing professional disagreement between him and his ex-apprentice Tammy Soglanich, following their unexpected separation towards the end of last year.
For seven years, Soglanich was employed at Cohen Handler, initially as an assistant. After leaving the company, she established a competing business that caters primarily to the affluent areas of Sydney.
The breakup wasn’t friendly at all; on the contrary, it seemed that Tammy desired more for herself, leading some to believe she outgrew or exceeded her mentor.
Camilla Freeman-Topper and Marc Freeman
The dynamic siblings, Camilla Freeman-Topper and Marc Freeman, are the masterminds behind the high-end fashion label known as Camilla and Marc.
In the year 2003, they established their company, and it wasn’t until 2009 that the first physical store opened its doors in the heart of the Sydney suburb of Paddington.
Growing up, it was their father David who took care of them, as their mother Pamela had passed away when they were both young – at ages 11 and 13, respectively.
Camilla, aged 44, pursued her passion for fashion by attending the Whitehouse Institute of Design in Sydney. Later, she secured a scholarship and honed her skills in Florence, Italy. Conversely, Marc, who is 46 years old, studied engineering and commerce at the University of New South Wales.
In this setup, Marc handles the branding and commercial aspects of the label, while Camilla concentrates on the design aspect. This Australian fashion company is predicted to broaden its reach to Europe and the United States.
Dan Rosen
Dan Rosen has been described as a ‘relentless defender of the music industry’.
He currently serves as the president for Warner Music Australasia, a position he also previously held as the CEO of the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) and the music licensing organization known as PPCA.
49 years old, this individual used to dream of becoming a musician, playing with the band Second Dan that clinched the Triple J Unearthed contest in 2003. They put out two studio albums and embarked on tours across Australia and America.
In my line of expertise, one might not have envisioned a career in the limelight for him. Instead, he chose to pursue a career as a legal professional, focusing on media and technology at the global law firm, MinterEllison.
Rosen was later an adviser to the Federal Minister of Communications Richard Alston.
In the course of his remarkable career, straddling both the corporate and music industries, he spent a seven-year stretch in New York City. It was here that he crossed paths with future U.S. President Donald Trump, as well as several of his musical idols.
Jessica Sepel
Jessica Sepel is a joint founder of the high-end vitamin brand JSHealth, which she expanded from blogging and book writing into a multi-million dollar supplement enterprise.
The path to success hasn’t been without its hurdles, however.
In 2022, Life Botanics, a budget-friendly rival, advertised their products as being of equal quality but without the high price associated with Double Bay. To spread this message, they enlisted the services of renowned PR expert Max Markson (who we’ll delve into later).
As a devoted admirer, I wouldn’t just sit back and let things be; when people doubted the authenticity of Sepel’s products, I passionately defended them. I knew they were the genuine article, meticulously researched, and every penny on that price tag was justified.
Ultimately, she secured a legal triumph in July 2023, with the judge commanding the proprietor of Life Botanics to cease making derogatory remarks towards his competitor.
Nick Molnar
Nick Molnar, a Moriah College old boy, is the co-founder of Afterpay.
In 2014, he established a lending firm together with his neighbor from Rose Bay, Anthony Eisen. However, it was through selling jewelry online on eBay that he initially began his entrepreneurial journey.
In January 2022, the business partners successfully transferred their company to Square, Inc., which has since rebranded to Block, Inc., for a staggering USD$29 billion (approximately AUD$39 billion).
Both individuals opted to continue working for the same company, but Eisen eventually departed from the enterprise, whereas Molnar, aged 35, has recently been appointed as the Head of Sales at Block, moving up the corporate ladder.
In the previous year, he managed to secure a position on the 2024 edition of Australia’s Rich List for Young Entrepreneurs, boasting a net worth of approximately 1.1 billion dollars.
Nick is married to wife Gabrielle, with whom he shares two children.
They possess a 27 million dollar residence located in North Bondi, acquired in 2020, along with a 16-acre countryside estate situated in Bowral, within the New South Wales Southern Highlands.
Rebekah Giles
Renowned and highly networked, prominent attorney Rebekah Giles serves as the head of Giles George, a niche law company focusing on managing potential damage to one’s reputation.
She is renowned for handling complex cases involving prominent individuals, such as Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young, ex-Attorney-General Christian Porter, previous political aide Brittany Higgins, and Taylor Auerbach, who was involved in the Lehrmann trial.
Previously associated with both MinterEllison and Kennedys, Giles has become well-known in sections like CBD, Rear Window, and Media Diary, which places her not far behind the fame of her clients.
Her personal life is just as extraordinary as her professional one.
As a victim who weathered the devastating 2004 Boxing Day tsunami, I was gravely injured when the initial monstrous wave struck me during our holiday on Phi Phi island with my partner Damien Rivkin. Overcoming an astounding 140 surgeries in the aftermath, I stand here as a testament to resilience and hope.
Emma Pillemer
‘It’ girl Emma Pillemer turned a gap-year project into a successful jewellery brand.
In 2020, she completed her studies at Moriah College, which costs around $45,000 per year. Rather than spending a gap year traveling before attending university, she chose to work diligently and create a line of fashionable, budget-friendly accessories instead.
It proved to be a smart move. Her brand, Emma Pills, is now pretty much everywhere.
Her brand also got a boost when she starred in reality series Made in Bondi.
Originally hailing from New York City and Sydney’s affluent east side, she is frequently spotted in Los Angeles, known for her vibrant social circles. Among her well-known acquaintances in the city are YouTube sensation David Dobrik.
In the land Down Under, she resides at a vast $30 million property located in Vaucluse. This stunning residence was highlighted by Dobrik on Snapchat as far back as February.
In my role as a lifestyle expert, I have the privilege of being the child of Emma, and I’m particularly proud to share that my father, Russell Pillemer, is a distinguished figure in the financial industry. Together with Malcolm Turnbull, the former prime minister of Australia, he co-founded the successful ASX-listed funds management group, Pengana, back in 2003. Remarkably, my father continues to lead the company as its CEO, demonstrating a level of dedication and commitment that I find truly inspiring.
Genevieve Rosen-Biller
In the year 2018, Genevieve Rosen-Biller decided to leave her career as a journalist behind and focus entirely on her secondary venture. As we can see now, this decision proved fruitful for her.
In 2017, a 35-year-old woman established the bedding brand Bed Threads alongside her partner, Alan Biller. Just half a year later, running the company became their primary occupation.
In their Bondi apartment, a duo established their company following a span of two years dedicated to product design and investigation. Subsequently, they broadened their brand’s reach to the UK in 2019 and the US in 2020.
She even scored an endorsement from Kourtney Kardashian in 2022.
Prior to embarking on her entrepreneurial journey, Genevieve devoted a full decade to journalism, with one of her roles being a writer for Body + Soul.
Jess Fox
At the tender age of four, the future Olympic champion Jess Fox relocated from France to Australia with her family. It turned out to be a fortunate shift for us.
Throughout her illustrious career as a three-time Olympic gold medalist in slalom canoeing, she first competed on the global stage at the 2012 Olympics in London, at the tender age of eighteen.
Born and raised in Penrith, a suburb of Sydney, this individual hails from a lineage of Olympic athletes; their parents, Richard Fox and Myriam Fox-Jerusalmi, were both accomplished canoeists in the Olympics.
Apart from her, her sister Noemie Fox is an accomplished world and Olympic champion in slalom canoeing, while her aunt Rachel Crosbee previously won a silver medal at the World Championships.
There’s not much information available about her personal background, but it’s thought that she parted ways with her longtime companion, Mathieu Biazizzo, prior to the Paris Games.
Currently, Fox is undergoing an intensive training phase prior to the Canoe Slalom World Championships in Penrith, taking place from September 29 to October 4. Additionally, Fox has set sights on competing in the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028.
Frank Lowy
Despite living abroad, Frank Lowy, who is ninety-four years old and once held a prominent position in the city’s shopping centers, continues to be a towering figure within our local Jewish community.
In 1960, he was among the founders of the international Westfield corporation. Starting with a modest complex on the outskirts of Sydney, he expanded it into a sprawling global retail empire.
In 2018, I was part of a significant milestone in Australian corporate history – the sale of Westfield’s British and American operations to Unibail-Rodamco for an astounding $35 billion.
In 2017, Lowy was knighted and has now passed leadership responsibilities to his sons: Steven, who remains in Sydney, Peter residing in Los Angeles, and the eldest, David, based in New York.
Richie Harkham
Born and raised in the close-knit neighborhood of Vaucluse, Richie Harkham, an accomplished entrepreneur like himself from Moriah College, was the child of a self-made businessman who found his fortune in the rag trade industry.
At 12 years old, he began working at a Jewish bakery, igniting a lasting passion for business that eventually led to him establishing Harkham Wines – Australia’s pioneering kosher vineyard – in the Hunter Valley.
In addition to his past endeavors, Harkham has managed a bookstore, a backpackers hostel in Bondi, and a coin laundromat in Surry Hills. Interestingly, he asserts that he gets by on just four hours of sleep each night.
As a devoted advocate, I’m deeply committed to my passion project, Hark Angel – a charity I established post-recovery from a life-altering knee transplant, a world-first procedure, following a severe motorbike accident. The donor for this miraculous transplant was a 14-year-old boy who tragically lost his life in a car accident. In remembrance of him, Hark Angel strives to construct 100 schools across underdeveloped nations, and we’ve already managed to build nine of them.
Instead of being known for sensational news, Harkham isn’t typically associated with that style. However, he was featured in The Daily Mail one time due to rumors connecting him to Holly Young, who had parted ways with Gavin Rubinstein the previous year.
Tayla Cohen
2023 saw newcomer Tayla Cohen make her debut on the social circuit, being announced as a cast member for Made in Chelsea’s Australian offshoot, Made in Chelsea: Sydney – a five-episode adaptation of the widely acclaimed UK show.
Despite starring on reality TV, the 25-year-old doesn’t like to court attention.
She seldom reveals much about her high-flying life on social platforms, and surprisingly left out her fiancé when announcing their recent engagement.
It’s known that she divides her life between London and Sydney, residing in the affluent district of Vaucluse. At the University of New South Wales, she was pursuing a degree in psychology when representatives from Made In Chelsea approached her.
She doesn’t share much about her family, but it’s known they migrated to Australia from South Africa when she was just a baby. We gather that her parents are involved in the jewelry business.
Max Markson
There are few people who scream ‘Sydney’ like publicist Max Markson.
A young man hailing from Bournemouth reached Australia just prior to the 1977 election, spotting a chance to sell T-shirts to indecisive voters featuring Whitlam on one side and Fraser on the other.
Initially, things didn’t go smoothly for Markson, but he eventually discovered his calling as a high-profile pitchman upon establishing the PR agency known as Markson Sparks.
He has been the representative for a diverse range of individuals, including Lara Bingle, Corey Worthington, the Chk-Chk-Boom Chick, as well as organizing four Australian speaking tours for Bill Clinton, Nelson Mandela, and Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Markson is always going to be remembered in Sydney folklore as the person who was managing Candice Falzon during her private encounter with Sonny Bill Williams.
To this day, emails from Markson Sparks continue to arrive in our inbox with the forcefulness of a sledgehammer, their subject lines always in uppercase letters.
We wouldn’t have it any other way, Max.
Sharri Markson and Caroline Marcus
Established reporters Sharri Markson and Caroline Marcus are currently anchors at Sky News Australia, known for their strong advocacy for their respective communities.
Sharri, who is Max Markson’s daughter, began her professional journey at the age of 16 as a copy girl for the Sunday Telegraph. Later, she climbed up the ladder to assume significant editorial positions at The Australian and Cleo magazine. Eventually, she made her way to Sky.
In 2017, the two-time Walkley Award recipient, who studied at Moriah College and Ascham, tied the knot with businessman Chaz Heitner, a graduate of Emanuel School.
In this version, I tried to keep the original structure but made it more conversational and easier to read by using “tied the knot” instead of “married” for a slightly more casual feel, and by rephrasing “attended” as “studied at”.
Caroline, who hails from Singapore, boasts over two decades of experience as a journalist. Prior to joining Sky News, she had stints with several newspapers under the News Corp umbrella and Nine.
In November 2015, she got married to Jake Swarts, the man she met five years prior at a bar in Kings Cross. Together they have a son and a daughter.
Mia Freedman
As a child born to a Jewish financial manager father and a mother who wasn’t Jewish, media mogul Mia Freedman didn’t automatically inherit the Jewish faith.
However, her upbringing was deeply rooted in Jewish culture, and later on, she, along with her husband Jason Lavigne and their three kids, embraced Judaism as a faith.
Following her education at Vaucluse High School and Ascham, she kick-started her career in journalism with a job at Dolly magazine under the supervision of editor Lisa Wilkinson.
At 24 years old, Freedman, then 24, climbed the career ladder to secure a position as a fashion editor. Later on, he was appointed as an editor at Cosmopolitan when he turned 53.
Despite facing some controversy in her media career, she maintains a dedicated fanbase of Australian women who eagerly listen to everything she says.
In addition to their renown, she and her spouse are well-known in the eastern suburbs for their association with a high-profile property disagreement. A property owner in Bellevue Hill had allowed them to reside temporarily in his six-bedroom house while they worked out details for purchasing the property at a later time.
However, the negotiation for a settlement broke down, causing the deal to be canceled. As a result, the Freedman family was forced to leave, but they were given enough time to move out gracefully.
Josh Goot
Josh Goot is also an esteemed graduate of Moriah College, having completed his education there in 1997. Later, he pursued studies in communication at the University of Technology Sydney.
In that location, he cultivated a deep love for fashion design, eventually starting his initial brand, Platform, together with his companion Josh Goulburn, in the year 2000.
In 2002, they parted their paths, however, Goot continued managing the business until it closed down in 2004.
In the subsequent year, at the age of 45, Goot launched his self-named brand, which swiftly gained global recognition, earning it the admiration of celebrities such as Kim Kardashian and Lara Bingle.
Following the 2008 financial crisis, he shifted his attention back to the Australian market, launching physical stores in Sydney and Melbourne.
In February 2015, due to financial difficulties, the label temporarily shifted to voluntary administration. However, by the next month, it was back under the ownership of Goot.
Additionally, Goot established the brand Wardrobe.NYC during his stay in the United States alongside his business and romantic companion, Christine Centenera.
In 2018, they parted ways after seven years as a couple, but they have continued their professional collaboration. Currently, Centenera, now the editor-in-chief of Vogue Australia, is in a relationship with actor Joel Edgerton, and together they welcomed twins in May 2021.
Roxy Jacenko
Roxy Jacenko is the sort of eastern suburbs society figure who needs no introduction.
Known as the “Public Relations Queen,” Jacenco made headlines on the gossip columns, emerging as a prominent figure in the social scene during the initial phase of her luxury PR firm, Sweaty Betty.
Born to Jewish immigrant parents who established a thriving wholesale clothing business, she was educated at the exclusive girls’ school Kambala. Following a stint with the fashion company Diesel, where she honed her skills, she launched her own venture at just 24 years old.
In its prime, Sweaty Betty boasted over 70 prestigious clients from both local and global markets in the realms of luxury beauty, fashion, and hospitality.
Jacenko, who strongly identifies her work attitude with her Jewish background, subsequently wedded Oliver Curtis, a former investment banker turned crypto mogul who practices Catholicism.
Together, they share Instagram-famous children Pixie, 13, and son Hunter, 11.
Read More
- Clash Royale Best Boss Bandit Champion decks
- Mobile Legends November 2025 Leaks: Upcoming new heroes, skins, events and more
- PUBG Mobile or BGMI A16 Royale Pass Leaks: Upcoming skins and rewards
- The John Wick spinoff ‘Ballerina’ slays with style, but its dialogue has two left feet
- Kingdom Rush Battles Tower Tier List
- Clash Royale Season 77 “When Hogs Fly” November 2025 Update and Balance Changes
- Delta Force Best Settings and Sensitivity Guide
- Vampire’s Fall 2 redeem codes and how to use them (June 2025)
- Stocks stay snoozy as Moody’s drops U.S. credit—guess we’re all just waiting for the crash
- ‘Australia’s Most Sexually Active Woman’ Annie Knight reveals her shock plans for the future – after being hospitalised for sleeping with 583 men in a single day
2025-08-03 16:53