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[Jewmos] Queer Shabbat Brings Light, Belonging and Community to TBI

Queer Shabbat Brings Light, Belonging and Community to TBI

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.

To learn more or join future gatherings, visit: facebook.com/jewmos

Aleph Melbourne celebrates 30 years at Miznon

Celebrating 30 years. Celebrating community. Celebrating freedom. Celebrating ourselves.

In the spirit of community, togetherness and a better future, Aleph Melbourne hosted a dinner for 20 people at Miznon in Hardware Lane on Saturday July 26.  Coming together for a regular social event, and to support the restaurant following the recent attack, our dinner guests found themselves at a surprise 30th anniversary of the group.  To mark the occasion each guest was treated to a handmade memento inscribed with the words “Thank you for being part of our journey” and containing a replica of a flyer promoting the group in its early days.

Aleph Melbourne was founded in January 1995 as a social and support group for gay and bisexual men, at a time where homosexuality was often shunned in the community.  Three decades later we’re still going strong as Melbourne’s largest Jewish LGBTIQA+ social, support and advocacy group, now supported by the mainstream community and its leadership.

The team at Aleph Melbourne, under the leadership of co-convenors Colin Krycer OAM and Michael Barnett OAM, have in recent years brought the Jewish community together at the annual Midsumma Pride March, with a sense of hope, optimism, unity and love, in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic and antisemitic hostilities.  

Aleph Melbourne helps hold families together, provides a safe and welcoming space, advocates for a more inclusive and representative society, celebrates queer Jewish culture, and builds bridges.

A huge thanks goes to our members, those who founded the group, those who have stayed with us for longer or shorter, and those who have recently joined in.

We want the community to know that an inclusive Jewish community is a stronger Jewish community, and that it must unconditionally protect, nurture, love and celebrate it’s LGBTIQA+ children.

PHOTO (L to R): (Front) Dean Newfield, Jarod Rhine-Davis; (Middle) Lior Hayat, Adina Nachum, Michael Barnett & Gregory Storer, Colin Krycer; (Back) Dudi Danziger, Adam Samuel

Jillian Segal and Advance

On July 12 and 13 The Klaxon broke news that John Roth, the husband of Australia’s Antisemitism Envoy Jillian Segal, donated $50,000 to Advance:

In the July 18 2025 ECAJ Weekly Update Daniel Aghion wrote the following of Jillian Segal:

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

August 8 2025: The Klaxon reveals Jillian Segal is never too far away from her husband’s donations: EXCLUSIVE: Segal’s “husband” donation claims a sham

In the face of hate, I’m embracing my gay Jewish identity | The Jewish Independent

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.

In the face of hate, I’m embracing my gay Jewish identity | The Jewish Independent

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/the-jewish-independent_antisemitism-lgbtq-pride-activity-7358680297502093314-VUWv

2025 Scandinavian Film Festival: The Queer & Jewish sessions

The 2025 Scandinavian Film Festival is running through July and August.

This year’s packed programme includes one Jewish and one queer film, details below.

Never Alone

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.

Odd Fish

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.

Young Jewish Queers launched | AJN

Pride Across Cultures

Young Jewish Queers launched

“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.”

To get involved in YJQ email: info@yjqmelbourne.com

To book the shabbat dinner at TBI visit tbi.shulcloud.com/event/queer-dinner

SMH | Antisemitism envoy distances herself from husband’s donation to right-wing lobby group

[Aleph Melbourne notes that Advance Australia actively campaigns against progressive causes including LGBTIQA+ issues]

Antisemitism envoy distances herself from husband’s donation to right-wing lobby group

Olivia Ireland

By Olivia Ireland

July 13, 2025 — 5.00pm

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.

The donation was first reported by Guardian Australia and The Klaxon.

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.

Advance Australia has been contacted for comment.

On Thursday, Segal released her antisemitism report beside Albanese who said the government would consider all recommendations.

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

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.

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.