LGBTIQA+ Jewish group call for broader protections in proposed anti-hate bill
Attacks on LGBTIQA+ Community Parallel Antisemitic Attacks
An Australian Jewish LGBTIQA+ group wants the Federal Government to prohibit hate speech against LGBTIQA+ people as well as the Jewish community.
Aleph Melbourne spokesperson, Michael Barnett, said
“It makes no sense to us that half our identity is protected from hate and the other half isn’t.”
“The same ideology is being used to drive attacks on both the LGBTIQA+ and Jewish communities. Neo-Nazis and white supremacists want to eradicate gay and trans people as much as they want to eradicate Jews.”
“This is one reason why the Executive Council of Australian Jewry has in recent years backed greater protections for LGBTIQA+ people.”
“We call on the government to treat anti-LGBTIQA+ hate as seriously as antisemitic hate. There is no room for either in Australia.”
The Government today released a bill responding to the Bondi tragedy by prohibiting vilification and hate-motivated crime on the basis of race, but no other attributes.
Spokesperson for Just.Equal Australia, Rodney Croome, said,
“Passing laws against only one kind of hate means other forms are seen as legitimate and less deserving of a response.”
“One important lesson from the Bondi tragedy is that the Government shouldn’t wait until attacks escalate before taking tough action against hate.”
“National hate speech and hate crime laws should cover LGBTIQA+ people as well as all other Australians vulnerable to hate.”
“The Prime Minister has said ‘more could have been done’ to prevent the Bondi attack, so let’s now do more, not less.”
There has been an alarming increase in the number of anti-LGBTIQA+ attacks in recent years, often overlapping with antisemitism:
“I was proud to join our community at Pride Shabbat and the Pride March, a visible sign of our commitment to diversity and inclusion.” – Philip Zajac, President, Jewish Community Council of Victoria
The Jewish International Film Festival returns to cinema screens from October 19 – November 26, highlighting a selection of the best new Jewish-themed films to Australian audiences.
JIFF kicks off with the hilarious and fast-paced comedy, Bad Shabbos, about a Shabbat dinner between future in-laws, meeting for the first time, where everything that can go wrong, does go wrong. Celebrate the opening of JIFF on Sunday October 19 at Classic Cinemas, Elsternwick, with live music, drinks and falafels from 3:00pm before the Australian Premiere of Bad Shabbos.
“It’s the relationships among the three leads that carry the movie forward.” – The Jerusalem Post
“A highly emotional film. Exciting, funny and above all, a fascinating life story.” – Letterboxd user
Australian Premiere
Arnon is a devoutly religious man who has a close bond with his mother, Violetta, but a fraught relationship with his daughter, Alma, since he doesn’t approve that she’s a lesbian. When Violetta’s health deteriorates, Arnon sets out to her old hometown of Budapest to try and find a gold ring that saved her life during World War II.
Despite the tension between father and daughter, Arnon asks Alma to join him and help with the search. Alma is initially resistant, but her closeness with her grandmother convinces her to concede. Can father and daughter find the ring in the bustling city of Budapest? And will they be able to repair their relationship along the way?
The Ring is based on co-director and lead actor Adir Miller’s own family story. A well-known stand-up comedian in Israel, Miller brings a delicate balance of comedy and tragedy to this role.
“An excellent movie that tells a complex, moving story… The cast is wonderful.” – The Jerusalem Post
“A very urgent film.” – Cineuropa
“A story of female self-discovery and emancipation.” – Eye for Film
Australian Premiere
To others in her ultra-Orthodox Jewish community in Jerusalem, Bati’s life looks ideal. She’s married to Lazer and together, they have three beautiful children. Behind closed doors, however, the young couple’s marriage is strained, and their lives are rocked when Lazer is blackmailed with photos capturing his secret affair with another man. Desperate to protect her family from scandal, Bati tries everything to seduce her husband back to their marital bed. But in her struggles with this crisis, Bati makes some surprising discoveries about her own sexuality and desires.
Nir Bergman (co-creator of the series In Treatment) won the Best Directing prize for Pink Lady at Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival where it had its world premiere. Screenwriter Mindi Ehrlich brings lived experience from her upbringing in a Haredi community, telling this nuanced and compassionate story from a woman’s perspective with moments of lightness softening the drama.
“A sexy, modern and uncommonly introspective debut.” – Variety
“One of the most beautiful and visceral portrayals of grief and the ways we try to make peace with loss.” – Loud and Clear
Australian Premiere*
When Eden’s beloved younger brother Nati dies suddenly, she’s completely shattered by grief. Although she tries to numb the pain with hard partying and a dead-end affair with her married boss, nothing helps. Until she discovers a love note to Nati from Maya, a girlfriend he’d kept secret from her.
Eden strikes up a friendship with Maya. As the two young women lean on each other in their heartache, their relationship morphs into something altogether new and unexpected, even romantic. Eden and Maya must navigate their complex connection – is this a healthy way of coping, or simply a convenient replacement for Nati?
Writer/director Tom Nesher, daughter of multi award-winning Israeli director Avi Nesher, based the story on her own experience of her brother’s tragic death. An exuberant, sensitive exploration of love, loss and obsession, Come Closer swept the Israeli Oscars in 2024, winning Best Film, Director, Lead Actress and Editing.
“Groundbreaking… Visually stunning.” – The Bay Area Reporter
“Essential viewing for anyone who cares about art.” – The Contending
Australian Premiere
This sweeping documentary tells the remarkable story of Polish artist Tamara de Lempicka, best known for her Art Deco paintings of sensual nudes and elegant portraits of high society in 1920s Paris. A Jewish refugee and a bisexual woman, she was marginalised in more ways than one and gained notoriety for having romantic liaisons with her models – both men and women. Still, her work endures and some of her most notable collectors today include Madonna (who featured her paintings in several music videos) and Barbra Streisand.
Using groundbreaking newly discovered birth and baptism certificates, and never-before-seen 8mm home movies, this fascinating documentary reveals previously hidden parts of Tamara de Lempicka’s history, considering her work through the lens of her Jewish heritage. Narrated by Anjelica Huston, this is an enthralling celebration of a singular artist, who demonstrated fierce resilience in the face of antisemitism and other prejudices.
Queer Shabbat Brings Light, Belonging and Community to TBI
By Jarod Rhine-Davis
A powerful and deeply moving Queer Shabbat dinner was held at Temple Beth Israel (TBI) last Friday night, drawing over 70 people for an evening of ritual, reflection, and heartfelt connection. The event, hosted by Melbourne-based LGBTQIA+ Jewish group Jewmos in collaboration with TBI, combined traditional Shabbat observance with a strong message of inclusion, creating what organisers described as “a sanctuary of wholeness and peace.”
Against a backdrop of candlelight, song and sacred words, the evening honoured both the ancient rhythms of Jewish tradition and the full diversity of those who live it.
“We wanted this Shabbat to feel like coming home—for every person who has ever wondered if there’s space for them in Jewish life,” said Jarod Rhine-Davis, founder of Jewmos. “It was Shabbat in its fullest form: communal, joyful, meaningful, and open-hearted.”
The service included blessings over candles, wine and challah, followed by a communal meal rich with warmth—both in food and conversation. Tables were set with reflection prompts and affirmations, inviting guests into conversations about identity, rest, spirituality and belonging. A guided meditation and closing circle gave space for introspection and collective stillness.
Two guest speakers brought meaningful insight to the evening. Joe Ball, Victoria’s Commissioner for LGBTIQA+ Communities, opened the night with words of welcome and affirmation. Later, Israeli educator and advocate Dekel Nevo Eizenberg, former board member of LGBTQ+ organisation Hoshen, offered thoughtful reflections on her work building inclusive Jewish education and community in Israel. Her talk was followed by a Q&A session full of curiosity and warmth, as guests shared questions, stories, and deep engagement.
“The energy in the room was extraordinary,” reflected Hannah Christensen, Executive Manager of TBI. “It was Jewish joy—rooted in the belief that everyone belongs around the table.”
At a time when many are seeking new and authentic ways to connect to Jewish life, Queer Shabbat offered something timeless and hopeful: a vision of community that is proud, pluralistic, and grounded in tradition.
“Queer Jews have always been part of our people’s story,” Jarod said. “This Shabbat made that truth visible—not just for us, but for the whole community.”
Jewmos continues to host events across Melbourne that celebrate inclusion, creativity and deep Jewish connection.
This past week, we have seen a smear campaign attacking the Special Envoy’s Plan to Combat Antisemitism, soon after its launch last week.
This concerted campaign has focused on just a couple of details in a wide-ranging programme of 49 key actions in 13 focus areas, and (most outrageously) attacked the Antisemitism Envoy herself personally, for her husband’s private political activity.
I am not going to discuss the personal attacks on the Antisemitism Envoy herself – other than to say it is the lowest form of smear tactics – because they are irrelevant to the merits of her plan.
Amongst the range of marginalised groups that Advance copiously hates on are LGBTIQA+ people. With pathological obsession, they have posted multitudes of negative articles over many years demonising us.
Hearing that Australia’s Antisemitism Envoy is unprepared to call out such bigotry is beyond comprehension. She would realise homophobia, biphobia and transphobia are as insidious as antisemitism. It beggars belief that a person appointed by the government to combat hate and intolerance does not know what all forms of hate and intolerance look like.
Australian Jewish News – July 25 2025 – Page 18 – Letters
Unforgivable THE Friday after news broke that Jillian Segal's husband's family trust donated $50,000 to the far right lobby group Advance, ECAJ president Daniel Aghion claimed criticism levelled at her for her hus- band's donation was "outrageous" and a "smear tactic" It's not without precedent that public figures have been called out for their spouse's actions, such as when Senator James Paterson held Monique Ryan accountable for her husband's removal of a sign in the recent federal election. Rightly or wrongly, Ryan took the fall for her husband's indiscretion and apol- ogised. The nature of the role of the antisemitism envoy is to combat racism and hatred. For that person to remain silent on a significant donation by her spouse to an outfit that has racism and hate in its DNA beggars belief, and to my thinking amounts to tacit endorsement. She does not need to apologise for her husband, but to remain silent on who he donated to is unforgivable. Michael Barnett Ashwood, Vic
Australian Jewish News – August 1 2025 – Page 17 – Letters
Defending Advance MICHAEL Barnett (A/N 25/07) fulminates about antisemitism envoy Jillian Segal's husband making a donation to Advance Australia. Advance is anything but a "far right lobby group". The Jewish community has much to be thankful for to Advance. For start- ers they were instrumental in pre venting the virulently antisemitic Greens from achieving a danger- ous foothold in the last election. As for Barnett's claim that Advance is filled with "racism and hate", he would be good to remember that the work of Advance in helping to defeat the Voice referendum saved Australia from a dangerously racially divi sive situation from evolving. Any organisation, like Advance, which espouses conservative ideals and fights against the destruction of the values of Western civilisation is labelled by Barnett and those of his ilk as "far-right" by default. The Jewish community has come to realise in recent times that the left are not our friends, but in Barnett's case the message seems to be taking somewhat longer to sink in. Robert Weil Highett, Vic
Not the same IT is not helpful when progressive activists such as Michael Barnett spout reflexive hysterical hyperbole for political gain rather than care- fully analysing a situation His comparison of Jillian Segal's husband's donation to lobby group Advance with the actions of Monique Ryan's husband is just wild fantasy. Any student of critical thinking could easily see that Segal's husband John Roth donated the money in his own right, and which had nothing to do with his wife's work. On the other hand, the removal of promotional signs by Monique Ryan's husband was active inter. ference on behalf of her campaign with the express purpose of giving her an electoral advantage Alan Freedman St Kilda East. Vic
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.
From celebrated director Klaus Härö (The Fencer, One Last Deal, My Sailor, My Love) comes a powerful true story of resilience and defiance, based on real events during World War II and adapted from Rony Smolar’s book, Uncle Stiller. Ville Virtanen (Bordertown) delivers a standout performance as businessman Abraham Stiller, a pillar of Helsinki’s Jewish community who did everything in his power to help the Jewish refugees.
Helsinki, 1942. The state of Finland has made an alliance with Nazi Germany. Only one man is trying to stop the Finnish security services which were operating in secrecy, turning over Jewish refugees into the hands of Gestapo. As Nazi influence grows, Stiller finds himself torn between his personal life and his politics, and must risk everything to protect his community.
A moving drama that shines a light on the plight of Jewish refugees in Finland during WWII, Never Alone showcases the inspiring humanitarian efforts of a man who risked everything to protect them, in a gripping story of courage, and the fight for hope amidst overwhelming adversity.
Directed and co-written by Snævar Sölvason (From Iceland to Eden), Odd Fish is a heartwarming tale of dreams, identity and acceptance, set in a small community in the picturesque Westfjords of Iceland.
During the summer, childhood friends Hjalti (Björn Jörundur, Trapped) and Björn (newcomer Arna Magnea Danks), run a seafood restaurant in the fishing village in which they were born and raised. Despite their vastly different personalities, the two have a successful business partnership, and their restaurant is popular. They have long dreamed of keeping the restaurant open all year round, and when an unexpected opportunity arises, they finally get the chance to do so.
But, when Björn suddenly reveals a long-held secret to Hjalti, their long-standing friendship is tested and prejudices come to light. Faced with changes that reveal new perspectives on life and identity, the two of them must each re-evaluate what matters most.
An endearing story imbued with warm humour, Odd Fish is a tender reflection on the power of friendship.
“YJQ is a place for queer Jewish teens to meet each other and to see that there are other people like them.”
By Sharyn Kolieb
July 14, 2025, 3:06 pm
The Jews of Pride stall at the Pride Across Cultures event on June 25. Photo: Michael Barnett.
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.”
Antisemitism envoy Jillian Segal has distanced herself from donations by her husband’s family trust to controversial conservative lobby group Advance Australia days after she released recommendations on how the government needs to respond to rising hate towards Jewish people.
Australian Electoral Commission donation records lodged by a company Segal’s husband John Roth is a director of show that the Roth family trust, Henroth, gave $50,000 to Advance in 2023-24.
Advance Australia has previously said a vote for Labor is endorsed by the Chinese Community Party, that teal candidates are hidden Green politicians and accused left-leaning politicians of being “mostly on the same side as Hamas”.
Jillian Segal and John Roth.Credit:Facebook
Segal’s role as envoy is to fight antisemitism and enhance social cohesion, and she has asked for endorsement of her report on combating antisemitism. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese explicitly said he did not want the report to be politicised.
In a statement, Segal said she had no influence on the donations made by Roth’s trust. “No one would tolerate or accept my husband dictating my politics, and I certainly won’t dictate his. I have had no involvement in his donations, nor will I,” she said.
ASIC documents show Henroth Investments Pty Ltd is co-directed by Stanley and John Roth. AEC donation records state the company lodged its donation return on behalf of Henroth Discretionary Trust.
The company has also previously given money to the Liberal Party. Henroth was named after their father Henry Roth, who was a successful property developer.
The brothers own gelato chain Gelatissimo which has stores across Australia and globally in the Philippines, Singapore, Saudi Arabia and the US.
There is no suggestion Segal was aware of a donation or that it has affected her work.
Segal was previously a prominent lawyer and eventually partner for what was then called Allen, Allen and Hemsley before leaving to become a commissioner and later deputy chair of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission.
Special envoy to combat antisemitism Jillian Segal and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Thursday.Credit:Dylan Coker
She has also served on boards for the Australian Securities Exchange, the National Bank of Australia, served on the council of the Australian War Memorial and was deputy chancellor of the University of NSW.
Segal also is the immediate past president of the Executive Council of the Australian Jewry.
Lobby group Advance Australia prominently campaigned against the 2023 Voice Referendum and during the 2022 and 2025 elections shared various banners and ads against the Greens, teal independents and Labor.
Trucks were seen across the country in 2022 with slogans comparing the Australian Labor Party to the Chinese Community Party, with an image of Chinese Premier Xi Jinping and a caption stating: “CCP says vote Labor”.
The lobby group in late 2024 also released a petition, which remains on its website, calling for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to stand up to pro-Palestine activists.
“[Pro-Palestine activists] have the full backing of the elites – the Labor/Green/Teal politicians, the media, the universities and the taxpayer funded bureaucrats and nonprofits are now mostly on the same side as Hamas,” the petition said.
The report has sparked wide-ranging debate as it includes recommendations to rate universities on how they have cracked down on anti-Jewish hate and stripping funding from educational institutions, cultural events and charities that fail to address antisemitism.
A controversial definition of antisemitism by the International Holocaust Remembrance Association was also recommended to be adopted by all Australian institutions.
The definition has been embraced by Jewish groups and some parts of the Australian government for its clarity and breadth, but attacked by critics, who argue it stifles free speech and conflates criticism of Israel with antisemitism.
Olivia Ireland is a federal politics reporter for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, reporting on political breaking news and workplace relations from Parliament House in Canberra.Connect via Twitter or email.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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