The Queer sessions at Limmud Oz Melbourne 2025

How kosher is homosexuality? How Queer is the Torah? Being both gay and straight. The struggle religious schools face with queer students. All this and more at Limmud Oz 2025.

Melbourne hosts Limmud Oz from June 7-9 2025.

This year’s packed programme includes four queer-themed sessions, as detailed here.

Sunday June 8 • 12:00pm – 1:00pm • Idan Dorshav Dershowitz

What does the Bible say about Homosexuality?

The “abomination” passage in Leviticus 18 and the story of Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis 19 are the two main biblical texts that come to mind when thinking about biblical attitudes toward homosexuality. We will explore the history of how these two passages have been interpreted, beginning already in the biblical period itself.

Sunday June 8 • 5:15pm – 6:15pm • Shoshana Gottlieb

70 faces: reading queerness into Torah study

Discover a new and exciting face of Torah! In this session, we will learn some Torah together (all levels welcome), and seek to understand how and where queerness can be seen within the text. How can our understanding of the stories, our traditions, and ourselves be made more meaningful?

Monday June 9 • 1:15pm – 2:15pm • Ari Jacob

The Jewish married life of a straight, religious homosexual

This is a session on Jewish continuity. But it’s not old-school. It’s a musical(ish) performance about how God made me gay, but Torah (sort of) made me straight (sort of). Not in a homophobic way. It’s about love, intimacy, and how I went from the Closet to the Chuppah. Not in a hippie way. Really, it’s a Kabbalistic journey through the divine masculine and feminine, and finding wholeness in contradiction. Or something like that.

Monday June 9 • 4pm – 5pm • Jacquie Seemann Charak

Schools, religion and the law: an unholy alliance

What is the state of ‘religious freedom’ in Australian schools? For example, may Jewish schools exclude non-Jewish students/staff? May an Anglican school force a Jewish student to attend chapel? How do religious schools deal with sexuality and dress codes? Religious schools juggle complicated questions – trying to avoid unlawful discrimination while also transmitting religious identity. We’ll explore what Australian Jewish schools can/can’t do compared to some other countries, and what the Religious Freedom Review (2018) had to say about these issues. We’ll also look at some examples of allegations of antisemitism in Australian schools, and what has happened to them.

Congratulations Josh & Monique, and thank you Zoe

Aleph Melbourne congratulates Monique Ryan and Josh Burns on retaining their seats of Kooyong and Macnamara in the 2025 Federal Election. They are strong advocates for LGBTIQA+ people and the Jewish community.

We are especially grateful to Monique and Josh for taking the time to write heartfelt and considered statements of support during the election campaign.

Aleph Melbourne is appreciative of the other candidates who supplied statements of support for LGBTIQA+ people: Kath Davies (Independent/Chisholm), Alana Gallie-McRostie (Greens/Goldstein), Zoe Daniels (Independent/Goldstein), and Sonya Semmens (Greens/Macnamara).

A special thank you goes to outgoing MP Zoe Daniel who has consistently been a friend and ally of LGBTIQA+ Jews, and whose commitment to equality and decency remains without question.

Aleph Melbourne launches 2025 Australian Federal Election Voters Guide for LGBTIQA+ Equality

MEDIA RELEASE
20 April 2025

ALEPH MELBOURNE LAUNCHES 2025 AUSTRALIAN FEDERAL ELECTION VOTERS GUIDE FOR LGBTIQA+ EQUALITY

Aleph Melbourne is proud to announce its 2025 Australian Federal Election Voters Guide for LGBTIQA+ Equality.

The Voters Guide is designed to inform voters in Melbourne’s predominantly Jewish suburbs who want to select candidates who have comprehensively demonstrated or pledged support for LGBTIQA+ equality and inclusion.

This election the guide covers Victorian electoral divisions (as per October 2024 electoral boundaries) with 1000 or more people with Jewish religious affiliation as at the 2021 census. The selected divisions are Chisholm*, Goldstein, Hotham, Isaacs, Kooyong, Macnamara and Melbourne*.

* Included due to the abolition and redistribution of the division of Higgins.

LINKS

KEY FEATURES

Individual candidate statements indicating commitment to LGBTIQA+ issues
Indicators advising whether a candidate is LGBTIQA+, an ally, or opposed to LGBTIQA+ equality
Indicators advising whether a candidate is Jewish, or is perceived to hold antisemitic views
Links to candidate/party platform/policies on LGBTIQA+ issues
Links to How To Vote cards

We encourage voters to locate their voting district, review their candidates’ levels of support for LGBTIQA+ issues and vote in a manner that prioritises LGBTIQA+ equality.

The guide will be continually updated as more candidate information comes in, or as developments on candidates arise.

HISTORY

This guide is the eighth in our series of election guides since 2013:

MEDIA CONTACT
Michael Barnett OAM
0417-595-541
contact@aleph.org.au

ENDS

Aleph Melbourne 2025 Voters Guide for LGBTIQA+ Equality – Australian Federal Election

ALEPH MELBOURNE
VOTERS GUIDE TO LGBTIQA+ EQUALITY
AUSTRALIAN FEDERAL ELECTION 2025
#CHISHOLM #GOLDSTEIN #HOTHAM #ISAACS
#KOOYONG #MACNAMARA #MELBOURNE

This guide is designed to inform voters who want to select candidates who have comprehensively demonstrated or pledged support for LGBTIQA+ equality and inclusion.

This election the guide covers Victorian electoral divisions (as per October 2024 electoral boundaries) with 1000 or more people with Jewish religious affiliation as at the 2021 census. Note: Due to the abolition of the division of Higgins, we have included Chisholm and Melbourne in the guide.

What to look for in candidates that PRIORITISE LGBTIQA+ equality:
* A supportive candidate statement
* [BEST] A comprehensive LGBTIQA+ policy platform and/or unequivocal commitment to LGBTIQA+ issues (green tick)
* [OK] A policy platform that shows a moderate level of support to LGBTIQA+ issues (yellow tick)
* [BARELY OK] A policy platform that shows a weak level of support to LGBTIQA+ issues (black tick)
* Are declared as an ally.
* Are declared as LGBTIQA+ (although this is not an indication of a candidate’s political priorities)

What to look for in candidates that OPPOSE LGBTIQA+ equality:
* A warning symbol against their name in the LGBTIQA+ column
* A policy platform that is inconsistent with LGBTIQA+ equality (red cross)

What if a candidate has not declared themselves as an ally and/or does not have an LGBTIQA+ policy platform?
We recommend you contact the candidate or their party and ask them directly. We do not yet have enough information on them to show their level of support.

Feedback, corrections and updates are invited via our contact page. Information is provided here in good faith and on the understanding that it is correct.

Aleph Melbourne – 2025 Federal Election Guide

Chisholm Goldstein Hotham Isaacs Kooyong Macnamara Melbourne

Chisholm Division

Candidate (in ballot order)	Party	LGBTIQA+
RANDALL Tim	The Australian Greens	ALLY
ONG Gary	Family First
ALLEN Katie	Liberal	ALLY
MCSHANE Christine	Trumpet of Patriots
GARLAND Carina (incumbent)	Australian Labor Party	(not stated)
DAVIES Kath	Independent	ALLY

Goldstein Division

Candidate (in ballot order)	Party	LGBTIQA+
WILLIAMS Vicki Jane	Trumpet of Patriots
GADANI Nildhara	Australian Labor Party	(not stated)
SEGAL David	Libertarian
GALLI-MCROSTIE Alana	The Australian Greens	ALLY
GARDINER Leon	Pauline Hanson’s One Nation
DANIEL Zoe (incumbent)	Independent	ALLY
WILSON Tim	Liberal

Hotham Division

Candidate (in ballot order)	Party	LGBTIQA+
VAINORAS Tony	Citizens Party	(not stated)
BARRY Martin	The Australian Greens	(not stated)
FOGARTY Stuart	Pauline Hanson’s One Nation
BROWN Mark	Family First
O’NEIL Clare (incumbent)	Australian Labor Party	ALLY
MATHARU Harmick Singh	Liberal	(not stated)

Isaacs Division

Candidate (in ballot order)	Party	LGBTIQA+
DREYFUS Mark (incumbent)	Australian Labor Party	ALLY
KIRWAN Matthew	The Australian Greens	ALLY
HARMSE Audrey	Family First
OTTEY Fiona	Liberal	(not stated)
MCMAHON Geoff	Pauline Hanson’s One Nation

Kooyong Division

Candidate (in ballot order)	Party	LGBTIQA+
PEPPARD Richard	Libertarian
HAMER Amelia	Liberal	(not stated)
CARTER Jackie	The Australian Greens	ALLY
BRACHE Camille	Pauline Hanson’s One Nation
VADER David	Trumpet of Patriots
RYAN Monique (incumbent)	Independent	ALLY
CROSBY Clive	Australian Labor Party	(not stated)

Macnamara Division

Candidate (in ballot order)	Party	LGBTIQA+
BURNS Josh (incumbent)	Australian Labor Party	ALLY
RUBIN Sean	Pauline Hanson’s One Nation
SEMMENS Sonya	The Australian Greens	ALLY
SAULO Benson	Liberal	(not stated)
ABELMAN Michael	Libertarian
MYERS John Barry	Independent	(not stated)

Melbourne Division

Candidate (in ballot order)	Party	LGBTIQA+
CASEY Melanie	Pauline Hanson’s One Nation
WITTY Sarah	Australian Labor Party	ALLY
SMITH Tim	Independent	(not stated)
KOUTOUFIDES Anthony	Independent	(not stated)
BANDT Adam (incumbent)	The Australian Greens	ALLY
HUANG Helen	Fusion	(not stated)
HUNT Steph	Liberal	(not stated)

Jews of Pride at 2025 Midsumma Pride March

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).

Participating/Supporting organisations:

Jewish sessions @ Queer Screen 2025

Enjoy these Jewish films at the Mardi Gras Film Festival, running from February 13-27 (Sydney & surrounds) and February 28 to March 10 (On-Demand Australia-wide) 2025. Session and booking details online.

Cabaret [in cinema only]

Winner of eight Oscars (including best actress for Liza Minelli), this acclaimed musical tale of love and loss amidst the rise of far-right extremism remains as timely now as ever.

In 1931 Berlin, American cabaret singer Sally Bowles (Minnelli) works at the decadent Kit Kat Klub, alongside the eccentric Master of Ceremonies (Joel Grey). When British academic Brian Roberts (Michael York) moves into the same boarding house, he’s drawn into her bohemian lifestyle. Despite Brian’s attraction to men, they become lovers – but the arrival of wealthy playboy Maximilian von Heune complicates matters when both fall for his obvious charms. With the collapse of the Weimar Republic looming, their love triangle plays out against the rise of Nazism, in Bob Fosse’s cinematic classic.

Content warning, see here.

Academy Award Best Actress in a Leading Role, Liza Minnelli
Academy Award Best Director, Bob Fosse
Academy Award Best Supporting Actor, Joel Grey

“This viscerally powerful, deliriously inspired musical stands the test of time, and then some.”

— The Guardian

“All are guaranteed to leave with Sally Bowles’ words ringing in your ears as the credits roll: ‘Divine decadence, darling!”

— BBC

Park Life [in cinema + on-demand]

Screening in Sydney as part of the Hot Boys Shorts session is Park Life:

What starts as a transactional hook-up blossoms into something unexpectedly romantic and meaningful as Noah and Medhi wander the quiet streets of London after meeting while cruising. Sydney Premiere

Queer Sessions @ JIFF 2024

Jewish International Film Festival 2024
October 27 – December 22, 2023

Full programme here.

Sabbath Queen

Australian Premiere

“Awe-inspiring. Enthralling. Sabbath Queen is a rich and intimate portrait… One of the best films I’ve seen this year.” – The Hollywood Report

“An unforgettable protagonist… transformative… incredibly timely…one to watch for awards season.” – Hammer to Nail

Filmed over 21 years, Sabbath Queen follows Rabbi Amichai Lau-Lavie’s epic journey as the dynastic heir of 38 generations of Orthodox rabbis, including the Chief Rabbis of Israel.

He is torn between rejecting and embracing his destiny and becomes a drag-queen rebel, a queer father, and the founder of Lab/Shul: an everybody-friendly, God-optional, artist-driven, pop-up experimental congregation.

Sabbath Queen joins Amichai on a lifelong quest to creatively and radically reinvent religion and ritual, challenge patriarchy and supremacy, champion interfaith love, and stand up for peace. The film interrogates what Jewish survival means in a difficult and rapidly changing 21st century.

Festivals and Awards
Official Selection – Tribeca Film Festival, 2024
Official Selection – IDFA, 2024

Janis Ian: Breaking Silence

Australian Premiere

At the height of the Civil Rights movement in the mid-1960s, teenage Jewish singer-songwriter Janis Ian pens a hit song about an interracial relationship. The song – Society’s Child – launches her illustrious career, but also ignites controversy.

Plunging into an emotional tailspin, she emerges from the ashes with an even bigger hit (“At Seventeen”) about body shaming. For the next six decades, Janis overcomes homophobia, music industry misogyny, and a life-threatening illness to produce an indelible body of work that continues to resonate around the globe.

Janis Ian: Breaking Silence chronicles the singer’s epic life journey from her childhood on a chicken farm in New Jersey through the release of the disruptive album ‘Breaking Silence’. With access to Ian’s incredible body of music, her vast archive, family, friends, and famed collaborators, this in-depth documentary tells the singer’s intimate life story against a sweeping historical context.

Festivals and Awards
Official Selection – DOC NYC, 2024

Diane Warren: Relentless

Australian Premiere

“A loving ode to a true original” – IndieWire

She’s the most successful songwriter you’ve probably never heard of. Diane Warren has written mega-hits for the world’s biggest pop stars including Cher, Whitney Houston, Britney Spears and Beyoncé. She has 15 Oscar nominations for her indelible film songs, including “I Don’t Wanna Miss a Thing” performed by Aerosmith for Armageddon.

This bold documentary that screened at reveals the prolific artist behind these hits. Born to humble beginnings in Van Nuys to a middle-class Jewish family, Diane was an outsider at home and in school. The third daughter to older parents (her sisters were already 24 and 20), Diane struggled to fit in. Music became her escape. With unrelenting tenacity she pursued pop success, ultimately catapulting herself to the top of the charts.

Known in the industry as a hitmaker, a legend, and a pain in the ass, this unabashed portrait revels in Warren’s signature self-deprecating humour. Featuring interviews with Cher, Gloria Estefan, Quincy Jones, and Toni Braxton, discover the true underdog story of an unseen music titan.

Festivals and Awards
Nominee – Audience Award, SXSW, 2024

“Jews of Pride” at 2024 Midsumma Pride March

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).

Participating organisations:

Supporting (non-participating) organisations:

Jewish community comes together at Midsumma Pride March

In a fantastic show of support from Melbourne’s Jewish community, over 13 community groups and 100+ participants danced their way down the length of Fitzroy Street St Kilda for the Midsumma Pride March.

Following months of planning the day came together without a hitch, not taking into account the 38 degree weather forecast.

The sound system had been boosted with extra speakers, to bring more of our exciting Jewish and Israeli music mix to the street, and the ute was more vibrantly Jewish in appearance.

As with previous years, the crowds cheered us from the sidelines, loving our Jewish solidarity for LGBTIQA+ diversity.

Poignantly, placards of the late David Zyngier were flown especially high to commemorate his participation in the contingent over recent years and his commitment to LGBTIQA+rights.

One long-standing participant of the Jews of Pride contingent told us that being part of the march this year was really important to them and made them even more proud, a sentiment reflected by many others.

We are especially grateful to both Midsumma Festival and Victoria Police LGBTIQA+ Liaison for their assistance in keeping us safe, and to CSG Victoria for their additional assistance.

Photos from the day are available on Facebook and Google Photos.

Colin Krycer OAM & Michael Barnett OAM
“Jews of Pride ” Contingent organisers

‘We are an unstoppable force of unity’ | AJN

‘BE STRONG. BE PROUD. BE THERE.’

‘We are an unstoppable force of unity’

We aren’t alone in this struggle, but our struggle is not a new one, and we know that eternal vigilance is required to fend off the antisemitism.

By MICHAEL BARNETT
February 1, 2024, 9:00 am

The Jews of Pride contingent at the 2023 Pride March. Photo: Peter Haskin

I recently attended the 70th anniversary celebration for Hashomer Hatzair, as a friend of the movement.

It was a fabulous event, full of ritual, tradition, community and celebration. The day was tinged with sadness though, as they announced they were entering a period of hiatus due to leadership uncertainties.

My connection with Hashy is mainly through the “Jews of Pride” contingent at the annual Pride March in St Kilda. Each year they attend dressed in their chultzot, bring their flags, dance like crazy, fill my heart with joy and bring tears of happiness to my eyes. I know they will continue to join us, one way or another.

I left the party at Bet Anielewicz, their home in East St Kilda, just as the Israeli dancing was starting. I wanted to stay on but had to be elsewhere. Od Lo Ahavti Dai started playing.

I took a moment to soak in the music before getting into my car. It did something to me. I was transformed to a time when I was learning Israeli dancing. I don’t remember when, but it was powerful. I felt so connected to my Jewish upbringing by this simple but catchy tune.

Right now, the Jewish community is struggling. We are in a world where we hear the footsteps of less friendly times. Those echoes seem to grow louder by the day and we don’t know if we can be ourselves as easily as we could yesterday.

We aren’t alone in this struggle, but our struggle is not a new one, and we know that eternal vigilance is required to fend off the antisemitism.

Since October 7 I have witnessed a new phenomenon. Many people and organisations familiar to me have been swept up with efforts to support Palestinian people. I can understand this, as the humanitarian response to the destruction in Gaza is sizeable.

What I can’t understand is why many of the same people and organisations have chosen to stay silent on or minimise the terrorism that Israel faced, along with Hamas’ plan to erase Israel.

My LGBTIQA+ community has in parts become increasingly hostile towards Jews and Israel. Yet those who enable this juggernaut claim not to be antisemitic, despite supporting initiatives that are nothing but. This saddens me deeply.

However, through my commitment to my Jewish community I know I can help bring a sense of hope, peace, love and optimism. Sunday, February 4 is when “Jews of Pride” comes to life at Melbourne’s Midsumma Pride March. A raft of new and returning community organisations will coalesce in force to show their support for rainbow diversity, amid a burst of Jewish culture and identity.

We are an unstoppable force of unity that is undeniably and unashamedly Jewish. We convey pride in standing for inclusion and acceptance, and pride in who we are as a people.

Fitzroy Street will resonate with familiar Jewish tunes and Israeli music that calls to a solidarity with our families and friends in Israel. Together with fellow contingent organiser Colin Krycer, we urge you to come along and show your support.

Be strong. Be proud. Be there.

Michael Barnett is co-convenor of Aleph Melbourne.

More info: jewsofpride.org.au