Supporting Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex & Queer people in Melbourne's Jewish community. Founded 1995.
A few thoughts about recent parallel homophobic and antisemitic attacks in Melbourne, and how queer activism in the Jewish community over the past few decades has been transformational.
Pride Across Cultures
During the pride month of June, a broad range of cultural and faith groups from Melbourne’s LGBTIQA+ community came together at the Collingwood Town Hall for the inaugural Thorne Harbour Health “Pride Across Cultures” event on June 25.
Amongst the dozen stalls were Jewish groups Aleph Melbourne and Jewmos, and newly formed group Young Jewish Queers for Jewish queer teenagers aged 13 to 18.
Michael Barnett of Aleph Melbourne said that amongst those who came to their stall were recent arrivals to Melbourne’s Jewish community from Israel and from interstate. Others came to share their support for the Jewish community in these challenging times including Matt Mackenzie from the Department of Home Affairs and Victoria Police LGBTIQA+ liaison coordinator Jeremy Oliver.
Barnett told The AJN that Mackenzie has been working closely with the Jewish community to understand their safety needs post-October 7, and Oliver has been instrumental in providing protection for the Jewish contingent at the Midsumma Pride March and at the Pride Across Cultures event.
Jarod Rhine-Davis of Jewmos delivered a presentation in the breakout room on the events being organised for this year including a queer Shabbat dinner to be hosted at Temple Beth Israel on August 15.
Freshly showcased on the night was Young Jewish Queers Melbourne (YJQ) formed to create a safe space for Jewish queer teenagers, who recently hosted a film night. Speaking to The AJN about starting YJQ, Nick Wainstein said, “The reason why I started YJQ is so that I could build a community and a space where I don’t feel the need or pressure to hide my identity. Whether that be being queer or Jewish.
“Having the experience of that constant feeling of not being fully accepted or being safe in either of the communities that you’re a part of is really isolating. And so that’s where YJQ comes in.”
Wainstein added, “YJQ is a place for queer Jewish teens to meet each other and to see that there are other people like them. This is a space where they don’t have to choose between being a queer person or being Jewish.”
To get involved in YJQ email: info@yjqmelbourne.com
To book the shabbat dinner at TBI visit tbi.shulcloud.com/event/queer-dinner
The following condolence notice for Raymond Rich appeared in the Australian Jewish News (Melbourne edition) on May 9 2025.
Raymond died on April 24 2025.
The Jews of Pride contingent came to life again at the 30th Midsumma Pride March on Sunday February 2, 2025.
Enjoy this compilation of clips taken from the day showcasing the diversity of Melbourne’s Jewish community, celebrating LGBTIQ+ people and our families.
Facebook: Jews of Pride at Pride March (Feb 2 2025)
Extended version includes photos and a bonus interview courtesy of 3CR’s Queering The Air:
Facebook: Jews of Pride at Pride March (Feb 2 2025) Extended version
Jewish News photo sales here (access password: AJNsubscriber18).
Check out the The Australian Jewish News’ online photo store for pictures from the Jews of Pride contingent at the 2025 Midsumma Pride March, taken by Peter Haskin. Access password = AJNsubscriber18
Aleph Melbourne is committed to both the welfare of LGBTIQA+ people and combatting antisemitism in Melbourne’s Jewish Community.
On discovering J United’s decision to fund a campaign with money from Advance (“Jewish-led anti-Greens campaign launches“; AJN Jan 30 2025), the latter an organisation that strongly campaigns against transgender rights, Aleph Melbourne co-convenor Michael Barnett responded with a letter to the editor.
It alarms me that J United has resorted to taking money from conservative lobby group Advance, which has campaigned hard against LGBTIQA+, Indigenous and other progressive causes for many years. History has taught us that people who are intolerant of diversity tend to be intolerant of Jews too. When a Jewish organisation takes money and in-kind support from Advance, they are inadvertently harming other vulnerable minorities in the pursuit of eradicating antisemitism.
I can’t say whether Advance genuinely care about Jews and antisemitism, however I am confident their motivation is not rooted in benevolence. They are a hardline outfit that promotes division and intolerance. I call on the Jewish community to fundraise from reputable sources.
Michael Barnett
Ashwood, Vic
Aleph Melbourne will continue to stand up for the rights, visibility and inclusion of all LGBTIQ+ people, both in the Jewish community and beyond it.
UPDATE: March 12 2025
Two responses to this letter were published in the Australian Jewish News (“Defending Advance” by Michael Burd; Feb 21 2025 and “Straightforward” by Dan Coleman; Feb 28 2025):
Aleph Melbourne heartily acknowledges the admittance of the late Dr David Zyngier as a Member of the Order of Australia in the June 10 King’s Birthday 2024 Honours List.
David Zyngier AM was recognised for significant service to tertiary education, and to the community of Glen Eira.
Of particular note, David was a passionate supporter of Aleph Melbourne and of improving the lives of LGBTIQA+ people.
Despite the poignancy of receiving this award posthumously, the recognition helps provide a way for those who knew and loved David to hold his memory strong in perpetuity.
We will be forever grateful for the support David gave our organisation and LGBTIQA+ people over the years.
Full citation: The late Dr David Zyngier
The “Jews of Pride” contingent came to life again at the 29th Midsumma Pride March on February 4, 2024.
Enjoy this compilation of clips taken from the day showcasing the diversity of Melbourne’s Jewish community, celebrating LGBTIQ+ people and our families.
Facebook: “Jews of Pride” at Pride March (Feb 4 2024)
Jewish News photo sales here (access password: AJNsubscriber18).
Supporting (non-participating) organisations:
Check out the The Australian Jewish News’ online photo store for pictures from the Jews of Pride contingent at the 2024 Midsumma Pride March, taken by Peter Haskin. Access password = AJNsubscriber18
