This is the Forward’s coverage of Jewish life in Australia.
Australia
The Latest
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News A Trek to (Jewish) Tasmania
Koala bears, kangaroos, blockbuster beaches, food festivals, mouthwatering honey and exceptional wine: customary expectations on a visit to Tasmania — but Jews? On Australia’s largest island, a triangular land of exotic woods and quaint cities, I encountered a history of remarkable Jewish life and the two oldest synagogues in Australia, each dating from 1845. The…
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Fast Forward Lifesaving Stem Cell Donor ‘Brother’ Gets Place of Honor at Australian’s Wedding
An American Jew whose stem cells saved the life of an Australian Jew diagnosed with life-threatening leukemia was guest of honor at his wedding in Sydney. Michael Striegold, 38, from Houston, Texas, was in the front row to witness Michael Faust marry Jackie Antico under the chuppah overlooking Sydney Harbor last week, the Sydney Morning…
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Fast Forward Australian Ex-Minister’s ‘Unhealthy’ Israel Lobby Claims Draw Pushback From Jews
Australian Jewish leaders are rejecting allegations that the “hardline” pro-Israel lobby in Melbourne wielded “extraordinary influence” on Mideast policy during Julia Gillard’s tenure as prime minister. In his new book, “Diary of a Foreign Minister,” Australia’s former foreign minister Bob Carr accuses Gillard of “subcontracting our foreign policy to party donors” and the pro-Israel lobby…
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Fast Forward Chabad Rabbi Accused of Child Sex Abuse Settles Defamation Suit
A defamation suit launched by a senior Chabad-Lubavitch rabbi has been settled following a public apology by the founder of a victims’ advocate group. Rabbi Abraham Glick was questioned by police in December 2013 regarding explosive claims he sexually abused a student in the 1970s when he was deputy principal of Yeshivah College in Melbourne….
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Fast Forward Australia Chabad Sex Abuse Suspect Aron Kestecher Kills Self
Aron “Ezzy” Kestecher, a former Chabad-Lubavitch youth leader in Melbourne who was accused of child sex crimes, died in a suspected suicide. Kestecher, 28, was found dead in his apartment Thursday. He was accused of multiple allegations of child sex abuse against minors and was due to face court in June, police confirmed Friday. Rabbi…
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Fast Forward Australia Irks Jews by Softening Law on Racial Hatred
Jewish leaders in Australia are fuming over the federal government’s proposed amendments to the nation’s race hate laws. The Liberal government unveiled Tuesday a draft of its proposed legislation to amend race hate laws that have existed for almost 20 years and have been used successfully by the Executive Council of Australian Jewry to litigate…
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Fast Forward Benjamin Netanyahu Plans Landmark Visit Down Under
Benjamin Netanyahu is set to become the first Israeli prime minister to visit Australia while in office. Media reports in Australia and Israel on Wednesday suggested that Netanyahu would spend one week in Canberra, Sydney and Melbourne in mid-July following an invitation by Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott when the pair met in Davos, Switzerland,…
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Fast Forward Top Australian Chabad Rabbi Cleared of Raping Student
A senior Chabad rabbi in Australia who was accused of raping a student inside a synagogue in the 1970s will not be charged. Detectives in Melbourne confirmed Friday that they have closed an investigation into Rabbi Avrohom Glick, who was then deputy principal of Yeshivah College in Melbourne. Rabbi Glick, 67, vehemently denied allegations that…
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