A sense of Jewish pride | AJN

content=”0; url=” /> “; content=”0; url=” /> “; content=”0; url=” /> “; content=”0; url=” /> “;

‘FANTASTIC SUPPORT’

A sense of Jewish pride

The annual Midsumma Pride March received fantastic support from the community.

By AJN STAFF
February 13, 2022, 10:00 am

The Jewish community was out in force at the annual Midsumma Pride March last Sunday. With crowds back to normal after the pandemic, there was rapturous applause for the 70 -strong Jews of Pride contingent, with everyone clapping and dancing along to the Jewish music.

Participating organisations included Aleph Melbourne, the Jewish Lesbian Group of Victoria, Temple Beth Israel, Habonim Dror, Hashomer Hatzair, Zionism Victoria, the Jewish Community Council of Victoria (JCCV), Pathways Melbourne, SKIF and Temple Beth Israel.

Aleph co-convenor Michael Barnett told The AJN “I am heartened to see the fantastic support from Jewish youth groups, providing a safe and inclusive space for LGBTIQ+ people. We also have more parents and families of young people attending, crucial to the safe development of their children.”

The sentiment was echoed by regular participant, Naomi Barnett, who said it was her best ever Pride March yet, with so much enthusiasm from the sidelines for the Jewish presence.

JCCV vice president Doron Abramovici reflected, “It is a wonderful experience for all Jewish organisations to march together, as a unified group.

“Jews of Pride” awarded honorable mention in “Most Fabulous” category at 2022 Pride March

content=”0; url=” /> “; content=”0; url=” /> “; content=”0; url=” /> “; content=”0; url=” /> “;

In 2018 the “Jews of Pride” contingent was awarded the “Most Fabulous” category in the Midsumma Pride March.

In 2022 “Jews of Pride” was awarded an Honourable Mention in the “Most Fabulous” category in the Midsumma Pride March:

Congratulations to winners, honourable mentions and all other groups.

Jewish sessions @ Queer Screen 2022

content=”0; url=” /> “; content=”0; url=” /> “; content=”0; url=” /> “; content=”0; url=” /> “;

Enjoy these Jewish films at the Mardi Gras Film Festival, running from February 17 to March 3 2022. Session and booking details online.

IN THE IMAGE OF GOD

Included in the QueerDoc Shorts session (available On Demand) is the screening of In The Image of God:

The fourth generation in his family to be born intersex, Jewish Rabbi Levi was assigned the female gender at birth and grew up thinking he was sick and defective. “In the Image of God” tells the story of his struggles and transitions, culminating today in a life as a religious leader and an LGBTQI+ activist living happily in Los Angeles with his wife.

PAST CONTINUOUS

Screening in Sydney as part of the Oz Doc Shorts session is Past Continuous:

At the age of 72, Ilan and Oscar finally have the right to join in a holy matrimony underneath the chuppah in a synagogue in Sydney. Now, with identical rings and official recognition, Ilan and Oscar are preparing for a journey into the grim past which still pains and troubles them and which, despite the many years that have passed, they still bear within them.
This is a story about an inspiring couple who managed to stay together against all odds.
Directed by Kineret Hay-Gillor, this short-form documentary is told in English and Hebrew with English subtitles.

Queer Sessions @ JIFF 2022

content=”0; url=” /> “; content=”0; url=” /> “; content=”0; url=” /> “; content=”0; url=” /> “;

Jewish International Film Festival 2022
March 2 – April 4, 2022

Full programme here.

TWO

In her moving debut feature, Israeli director Astar Elkayam tackles the physical and emotional challenges two women face when they decide to start a family. Initially optimistic, Bar and Omer embrace the process, eagerly combing through a catalogue of potential donors and facing the insemination process with humour. After Omer repeatedly fails to become pregnant, a sense of failure gnaws at them, threatening to undermine their relationship.

Mor Polanuer and Agam Schuster (Your Honour) deliver outstanding performances, realistically capturing the toll that the IVF process takes on the young couple.

SUBLET

From acclaimed Israeli director Eytan Fox (Walk on Water, The Bubble), Sublet is a poignant depiction of the transformative power of love through a cross-generational encounter.

Michael, a travel columnist for The New York Times, takes on a rental apartment for a week’s assignment to discover the real Tel Aviv. He sublets an apartment from Tomer, a twenty-something gay film student who offers to act as his guide. Tomer’s carefree life of partying and casual sex are an affront to Michael whose life experiences have led him to more conservative views on love and relationships. Over five days together, the two find they have more in common than they thought, and form a bond that emotionally liberates them both.

TAHARA

This poignant and comic story traces the coming-of-age of two Jewish teenage girls—one white and straight, and the other Black and queer. Set in Rochester, NY, the film begins at the funeral service of their former Hebrew school classmate who suddenly commits suicide. A complicated romance unexpectedly arises as best friends Carrie and Hannah (played by Shiva Baby’s Rachel Sennott) navigate their feelings about this tragedy and themselves, and try to make sense of their teacher’s well-meaning but misguided advice about grieving.

jiff-2022-program

Past Continuous – Melbourne film screening and Q&A discussion

content=”0; url=” /> “; content=”0; url=” /> “; content=”0; url=” /> “; content=”0; url=” /> “;

Plus61J Media proudly presents the Australian premiere of Past Continuous.

Past Continuous tells the story of Sydney couple Oscar Shub and Ilan Buchman. In 2018, Shub and Buchman became Australia’s first same-sex couple to be legally married in a religious ceremony.

Made by award-winning documentary filmmaker Kineret Hay-Gillor, the film chronicles Shub and Buchman’s relationship – beginning in Tel Aviv in 1971 – their eventual marriage at Sydney Emanuel Synagogue, and a past that still holds painful memories.

Join Oscar Shub, Ilan Buchman and Kineret Hay-Gillor in a post-screening Q&A followed by drinks and nibbles (all inclusive for $15 general admission).

Thu 17th Mar 2022, 7:00 pm – 9:30 pm
Classic Cinemas
9 Gordon St, Elsternwick

Book tickets here.

Jewish submissions to inquiries for the Religious Discrimination Bill 2021

content=”0; url=” /> “; content=”0; url=” /> “; content=”0; url=” /> “; content=”0; url=” /> “;

Enquiries

Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights: Religious Discrimination Bill 2021 and related bills
Senate Standing Committees on Legal and Constitutional Affairs: Religious Discrimination Bill 2021 [Provisions]; Religious Discrimination (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2021 [Provisions] and Human Rights Legislation Amendment Bill 2021 [Provisions]

Submissions

Aleph Melbourne

Submission to Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights inquiry: Religious Discrimination Bill 2021 and related bills

Religious-Discrimination-Bill-2021-and-related-bills-Submission-04

[PDF]

Submission-15-Aleph-Melbourne-Senate-Standing-Committees-on-Legal-and-Constitutional-Affairs-Religious-Discrimination-Bill-2021-etc

[PDF]

AUSTRALIA/ISRAEL & JEWISH AFFAIRS COUNCIL

Submission to the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights’ Inquiry into Religious Discrimination Bill 2021 and related bills

AIJAC-Submission-to-the-Parliamentary-Joint-Committee-on-Human-Rights-Inquiry-into-Religious-Discrimination-Bill-2021-and-related-bills

[PDF]

Submission-147-Submission-to-the-Senate-Legal-and-Constitutional-Affairs-Legislation-Committee-Inquiry-into-Religious-Discrimination-Bill-2021-and-related-bills

[PDF]

Executive Council of Australian Jewry

Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights Inquiry into Religious Discrimination Bill 2021, Religious Discrimination (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2021 and Human Rights Legislation Amendment Bill 2021

ECAJ-Submission-to-PJCHR-re-Religious-Discrimination-Bill-2021-Final

[PDF]

ECAJ submission to the Senate Standing Committees on Legal and Constitutional Affairs – Religious Discrimination Bill

Submission-94-ECAJ-submission-to-the-Senate-Standing-Committees-on-Legal-and-Constitutional-Affairs-–-Religious-Discrimination-Bill

[PDF]

Reports

Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights – Religious Discrimination Report

Parliamentary-Joint-Committee-on-Human-Rights-Religious-Discrimination-Bill-Report

[PDF]

Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs – Religious discrimination Report

Senate-Legal-and-Constitutional-Affairs-Legislation-Committee-Religious-Discrimination-Bill-Report

[PDF]

Trans and Gender Diversity: An Introduction

content=”0; url=” /> “; content=”0; url=” /> “; content=”0; url=” /> “; content=”0; url=” /> “;

"Trans and Gender Diversity: An Introduction” co-hosted by @AJDS_tweets and Hashomer Hatzair Australia, together with @zoebellegc.
Registrations: https://t.co/Xe0oebu2q1 pic.twitter.com/5CB4RIFH6k
— Aleph Melbourne (@alephmelbourne) January 18, 2022

AJN Letter to the Editor: “Sondheim’s Sexuality”

content=”0; url=” /> “; content=”0; url=” /> “; content=”0; url=” /> “; content=”0; url=” /> “;

It would be remiss to recount the life of the legendary playwright Stephen Sondheim (AJN 03/12) without also acknowledging that he was a gay man who only came out at the age of 40.
He met his partner Jeffrey Romley in 2004, whom he described as a great joy in his life. They married in 2017 and it was in his husband’s arms that he died. Although he did not have children, he said if he had his time again he would definitely have been a parent, admitting he fell victim to historical stigmas around gay men parenting.

The erasure of Sondheim’s personal life and sexual orientation is disappointing, as they are just as important as his professional achievements. Had he been married to a woman, it would have been noted along with the duration of their relationship.

Michael Barnett
Co-convenor, Aleph Melbourne
Australian Jewish News; December 17 2021

SOURCES

LGBTQ NATION: Legendary gay composer & Broadway genius Stephen Sondheim passes at 91

ABC Radio National – The Music Show: Jeremy Sams remembers Stephen Sondheim, and Braille music with Ria Andriani (42:22)

Aleph Melbourne submission to Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights inquiry: Religious Discrimination Bill 2021 and related bills

content=”0; url=” /> “; content=”0; url=” /> “; content=”0; url=” /> “; content=”0; url=” /> “;

Religious Discrimination Bill 2021 and related bills / Submissions

Religious-Discrimination-Bill-2021-and-related-bills-Submission-04

[PDF: APH / local]

Reaction to Religious Discrimination Bill | AJN

content=”0; url=” /> “; content=”0; url=” /> “; content=”0; url=” /> “; content=”0; url=” /> “;

‘NO BALANCE WILL PROVIDE PERFECT JUSTICE FOR EVERYBODY’

Reaction to Religious Discrimination Bill

By GARETH NARUNSKY
December 2, 2021, 11:01 am

AS the latest draft of the federal government’s Religious Discrimination Bill is discussed in parliament and the media, Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-CEO Peter Wertheim said “it is appropriate that we are having this debate during Chanukah”.

“As much as the Jewish people admired many aspects of Hellenistic learning and civilisation, we totally rejected any attempt to forcibly assimilate our people into the then prevailing culture, and give up our beliefs and our identity,” he said.

“No faith community should be pressured into assimilating into today’s prevailing secular culture.

“It is particularly important for the religious organisations of minority faith communities to continue to be free to look after the religious and cultural needs of those communities.”

Commenting more specifically on the bill, Wertheim noted some of the “more contentious” aspects of the previous drafts have been removed, notably protections allowing employers to restrict religious speech outside the workplace – commonly referred to as “the Folau clause” – and the conscience protection for healthcare professionals.

“What is left is a conscientious attempt to balance prohibitions against religious discrimination with the freedom of religious organisations to operate according to their ethos,” he said. “No such balance will provide perfect justice for everybody. This bill tries to minimise the scope for injustice.”

Contrary to misconception, the bill does not speak to whether religious schools can exclude LGBTQI+ students – the Sex Discrimination Act already technically permits this – but under the legislation religious institutions would be allowed to have faith-influenced hiring policies, although these policies would need to be made public.

But Jewish organisations The AJN spoke to indicated they would not use the provision.

Moriah College principal Rabbi Yehoshua Smukler said the school seeks to employ high-calibre staff and “gender, identity, race and religion make no difference”.

“We aim to integrate Modern Orthodox Zionist Jewish values into our modern world and society, and we view the diversity of our educators and workforce as a huge benefit in achieving this goal,” he said.

“Diversity enriches the educational experience for our children.”

Emanuel School principal Andrew Watt said the school aspires to be “welcoming and inclusive … known for its genuine acceptance and understanding of diversity”.

“Emanuel School employs both Jewish and non-Jewish staff. We welcome staff and students into our school community, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Our enrolment and recruitment practices will remain unchanged,” he said.

Montefiore CEO Robert Orie said, “With more than 1000 employees, Montefiore is proud to employ a diverse workforce that spans many cultures, traditions and LGBTQI+ groups and our residents support and celebrate the diversity of our staff.”

Meanwhile, the state government said it is still committed to making amendments to the NSW Anti-Discrimination Act to prohibit discrimination on the grounds of religion, but will wait to do so once the federal legislation is passed.

“This will allow the government to closely consider the Commonwealth legislation to ensure that its interaction with NSW legislation can be fully understood and that constitutional inconsistency is avoided,” said Attorney-General Mark Speakman.

But NSW Jewish Board of Deputies CEO Darren Bark urged the government to act without further delay.

“The Parliamentary Joint Select Committee heard wide-ranging submissions from the community and produced a comprehensive and well-considered report,” he said.

“The Attorney-General has announced that religious discrimination will be outlawed in NSW, which is one of only two states in Australia that doesn’t have laws against religious discrimination.

“The NSW government has an opportunity to act now. We look forward to seeing these laws progressing through Parliament.”