Earlier this week the American Supreme Court made a decision to get rid of the Defense of Marriage Act.  The Union for Progressive Judaism made the following statement in support of the decision.

On Wednesday 26 June the UPJ was advised by the CEO of Tzedek (the Australian advocacy group for Jewish victims/survivors of child sexual abuse), Mr. Manny Waks, that allegations of child sexual abuse by persons employed in a Progressive congregation had been brought to his attention. He told us that the allegations would be posted on Tzedek's Facebook page on June 27 and he invited us to make a statement, which would also be included on the Facebook page.  This is the Statement provided by the UPJ.

At its Yom Ha'atzmaut celebration, Kadimah Jewish Congregation (NSW Central Coast) hosted more than 60 attendees, including representatives from Newcastle Hebrew Congregation, and two gentile guest speakers who spoke of their visits to Israel.  An Israeli  menorah was presented to the congregation by John Woodham  (pictured with Kadima chairman Bobbie Martin) on behalf of the Olive Tree Fellowship group.

Take a group of around 80 rabbis, cantors, singers, musicians and service leaders. Put them together for a weekend and what do you get? Beautiful music, of course! And that’s just what happened at the inaugural Hava Nashira Jewish Music Conference, held in April in Melbourne.