Trump & Netanyahu struggle to agree on future of Judea & Samaria

President Trump’s failure to propose his plan for the future of Judea and Samaria (West Bank) since he promised its release in March 2025 has finally caught up with him. Read more

On the other hand

Magen David Adom, Israel’s main national first responder organisation, has reported some notable achievements during 2025. Read more

2002? 2026? What’s the difference?

Antisemitism, in whatever form it tries to take or morph into, did not begin in the aftermath of 7 October, nor will it end tomorrow. Read more

Mamdani’s ‘collectivism’ is dangerous to Jews and everyone else

Inaugurations are generally hopeful days in democracies. Read more

The downplaying of momentous events in Iran

All week, Iranians have been mounting massive and widespread street protests. Read more

Handel’s Messiah

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Stormy times ahead

Extreme weather events such as droughts, tornadoes, hurricanes, cyclones, torrential rain, combined with intense cold or soaring temperatures, seem to be increasing worldwide. Read more

The Choral

A movie review by Alex First Read more

Shabbat Mikeytz

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Trump could offend would-be leaders of Israel as he singles out Bibi’s so-called exceptionalism

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CATS

A Melbourne theatre review by Alex First Read more

Poem by Michael Leibowitz

Kadish—21 December 2025  Read more

After Bondi, avoidance is no longer an option

It has never been credible for this government to claim it is responding adequately to antisemitism — not before October 7, not since, and not now. Read more

Follow the yellow star road

In my previous two columns –  one prior to Bondi, one two days after Bondi – I lamented sardonically that, after every incident of antisemitism over the past two years, all the Prime Minister offered were words … the very same words on each occasion: “There’s no place for antisemitism in Australia … or Islamophobia.” Read more

Revelry in the age of horror: A New Year’s meditation           

Hold the champagne, at least for a moment. As we mark the beginning of a new year, let us also think of all those the world over who are not in a celebratory mood, whose mindset is one of trepidation, anguish and pain rather than joy. Read more

When Everyone Knows That Everyone Knows

Book review by Dr Anne Sarzin Read more

Anastasia

A Melbourne theatre review by Alex First Read more

Despite warning signs, the US-Israel alliance is still solid

Optimism about Jewish life is in short supply lately. Around the globe, antisemitism is surging. Read more

14 nations continue to fuel Jew-hatred around the world

Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Iceland, Ireland, Japan, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain and the United Kingdom continue to fuel Jew-hatred around the world. Read more

From Camp Sababa alumni participant to volunteer companion

By Milla Wolman

Despite the devastating tragedy of the massacre on Chanukah at Bondi, a glimmer of light persisted amid this new darkness. The laughter of children and young adults with disabilities echoed through Sydney’s Jewish community as they came together earlier in December for four days of fun and fulfilment at Camp Sababa 2025.

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Arnold Roth’s long journey for justice

Twenty-four years after his 15-year-old daughter, Malki, was murdered in a Hamas suicide bombing in Jerusalem, Arnold Roth is asking a question that remains unanswered: Why is the terrorist responsible for her death living freely as a celebrity in Jordan? Read more

On the other hand

The outgoing civil year of 2025 was a “booming” year for Israelis as the war against Hamas, Iran and its proxies affected the whole country. Read more

A surprising champion of the Mitzvah campaign

We all know Chanukah is the story of light over darkness, of what is right over what is wrong. Read more

Netanyahu on trial: Case 4000 unravels as witness exposes alleged suppression of exculpatory evidence

Case 4000—the most serious and consequential of the criminal cases against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu—has long been portrayed by prosecutors as the centrepiece of their corruption allegations. Read more

‘Speaking up is a matter of survival’: Canadian model confronts online antisemitism

Canadian-Slovakian model Miriam Mattova is intensifying her public advocacy to hold social media platforms accountable for online hate, saying unchecked anonymity has helped normalise antisemitic threats and allowed violent rhetoric to flourish without consequences. Read more

A minor fast

Perhaps the least important notable date in the Jewish calendar is the Tenth of Tevet , which occurs ten days after Chanukah. Read more

Seasonal allergies

Certain seasons precipitate allergic attacks and cause misery for those afflicted. Read more

The Housemaid

A movie review by Alex First Read more

Rental Family

A movie review by Alex First Read more

The Bondi Beach massacre must be a turning point for Australia

Only days ago, on the first night of Chanukah, at least fifteen innocent people were murdered in cold blood on Bondi Beach during a festive family-oriented lighting ceremony. Read more

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