JCCV members vote unanimously to welcome GLBTI group
Herald Sun
Andrea Kellett
4 August 2015
VICTORIA’S peak Jewish body has voted to formally include a Jewish LGBTI group for the first time.
Jewish Community Council of Victoria members last night voted unanimously to admit Keshet — a support and advocacy group for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Jews — as an affiliate member.
The historic vote was taken by a public show of hands at a JCCV plenum in Caulfield South.
It is the first time a LGBTI organisation has joined a Jewish community body in Australia.
JCCV executive director David Marlow said it was a milestone in the JCCV’s 77-year history.
“Rarely has this happened in religious communities anywhere that we are aware of,” he said.
“This is a milestone event for our community as a very concrete step in our advancement of full social inclusion for every member of the Jewish community, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
“The discussions within our affiliates before the vote were important to ensure awareness of the issues faced and the importance of embracing diversity, and the vote was a comprehensive victory for inclusion and a strong statement from the community against homophobia, biphobia, transphobia and intersex exclusion.
“This vote may not change the world, but will change the way many in our community feel about the world.”
Keshet Australia spokesman Dr Jonathan Barnett told the meeting that social exclusion of Jewish GLBTI people had devastating impacts on both adults and youth.
In California, he said, “more than 30 per cent of (Jewish) GLBTI youths attempt suicide”.
Jewish campaigner against child sexual abuse Manny Waks said the unanimous vote sent a “powerful message”.
It comes 16 years after another support and advocacy group, Aleph, failed in its bid to be admitted as a member of the JCCV.
“We know the many challenges associated with being a member of the LGBTI community — increased mental health issues, self-harm and suicide, to name a few,” Mr Waks said on his website.
“It is incumbent upon each and every one of us to take a stand.”
Keshet Australia has described it as a “momentous night” and a “great statement by the Melbourne Jewish community”.
Keshet Australia has a primary goal to help nurture, protect and provide a safe environment for GLBTI Jews.
Originally Published at Herald Sun.
Jewish Community Council of Victoria members last night voted unanimously to admit Keshet — a support and advocacy group for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Jews — as an affiliate member.
The historic vote was taken by a public show of hands at a JCCV plenum in Caulfield South.
It is the first time a LGBTI organisation has joined a Jewish community body in Australia.
JCCV executive director David Marlow said it was a milestone in the JCCV’s 77-year history.
“Rarely has this happened in religious communities anywhere that we are aware of,” he said.
“This is a milestone event for our community as a very concrete step in our advancement of full social inclusion for every member of the Jewish community, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
“The discussions within our affiliates before the vote were important to ensure awareness of the issues faced and the importance of embracing diversity, and the vote was a comprehensive victory for inclusion and a strong statement from the community against homophobia, biphobia, transphobia and intersex exclusion.
“This vote may not change the world, but will change the way many in our community feel about the world.”
Keshet Australia spokesman Dr Jonathan Barnett told the meeting that social exclusion of Jewish GLBTI people had devastating impacts on both adults and youth.
In California, he said, “more than 30 per cent of (Jewish) GLBTI youths attempt suicide”.
Jewish campaigner against child sexual abuse Manny Waks said the unanimous vote sent a “powerful message”.
It comes 16 years after another support and advocacy group, Aleph, failed in its bid to be admitted as a member of the JCCV.
“We know the many challenges associated with being a member of the LGBTI community — increased mental health issues, self-harm and suicide, to name a few,” Mr Waks said on his website.
“It is incumbent upon each and every one of us to take a stand.”
Keshet Australia has described it as a “momentous night” and a “great statement by the Melbourne Jewish community”.
Keshet Australia has a primary goal to help nurture, protect and provide a safe environment for GLBTI Jews.
Originally Published at Herald Sun.