Venice Biennale jury excludes Israel from top awards over ICC warrants
April 29, 2026 by Rob Klein
The jury of the Venice Biennale has ruled that countries whose leaders face charges at the International Criminal Court will not be considered for its top prizes, a move that effectively excludes Israel from this year’s awards.
Bondi exhibition ‘Holding Light’ turns grief into collective response
April 26, 2026 by Rob Klein
Four months after the Bondi Beach terror attack that killed 15 people during a Chanukah celebration, a major exhibition has opened at Bondi Pavilion Art Gallery, transforming grief into a shared act of reflection.
Jewish Queen Berenice and the Roman Empire
April 23, 2026 by Anne Sarzin
Book review by Dr Anne Sarzin Read more
Children’s book scrapped after illustrator’s remarks on Bondi victims
April 23, 2026 by J-Wire Newsdesk
The University of Queensland Press (UQP) has cancelled a forthcoming children’s book after concluding it could not proceed without appearing to endorse public comments made by its illustrator following the Bondi terror attack.
Creating a Secure Life
April 14, 2026 by Anne Sarzin
Book review by Dr Anne Sarzin Read more
Tradition revisited: Fiddler on the Roof returns
April 13, 2026 by Rob Klein
Few musicals have endured like ‘Fiddler on the Roof’, but its staying power has never relied on nostalgia alone.
Sydney Jewish comedy showcase returns with laughs, stories and a stacked line-up
April 12, 2026 by J-Wire Newsdesk
Sydney’s Jewish comedy scene is gearing up for a lively night, with the Sydney Jewish Comedy Showcase returning next month as part of the Sydney Comedy Festival.
The Phantom of the Opera
April 6, 2026 by Alex First
An opera review by Alex First Read more
The High Road: Confessions of a homicide cop
April 6, 2026 by Anne Sarzin
Book review by Dr Anne Sarzin Read more
Carole King made the earth move
March 25, 2026 by Anne Sarzin
Book review by Dr Anne Sarzin Read more
Organic Saint-Saens
March 22, 2026 by Alan Slade
Oh, boy – did the Concert Hall of Sydney’s iconic Opera House get an acoustic workout in Saturday afternoon’s Sydney Symphony Orchestra’s Saint-Saens Organ Symphony concert! Read more
MinterEllison distances itself from Sydney Biennale as controversy deepens
March 19, 2026 by J-Wire News Service
Law firm MinterEllison has moved to distance itself from the Biennale of Sydney, asking for its logo to be removed from the festival’s list of partners and supporters following the opening night controversy involving American performer DJ Haram.
West Gate
March 18, 2026 by Alex First
A Melbourne Theatre Company production reviewed by Alex First Read more
Eugene Onegin
March 18, 2026 by Victor Grynberg
An opera review by Victor Grynberg
FLORA (The Australian Ballet x Bangarra Dance Theatre)
March 18, 2026 by Alex First
A Melbourne ballet reviewed by Alex First Read more
Major sponsor PwC pulls out of Biennale after DJ’s antisemitic chants
PwC has withdrawn its sponsorship and association from the Biennale of Sydney following controversy over antisemitic and antizionist remarks during the festival’s opening night on Friday.
Outrage after DJ leads antizionist chants at Sydney Biennale
Sydney’s Biennale of Sydney has come under renewed criticism after an American DJ used a festival performance to accuse Israel of genocide and lead chants supporting Palestinian “resistance” during the taxpayer-funded event.
Sydney Writers’ Festival faces criticism over antizionist bias in programming
The Sydney Writers’ Festival is drawing sharp criticism for what Jewish community leaders describe as a heavily one-sided approach to the Israel-Hamas conflict in its 2026 program. Critics argue the festival has prioritised anti-Israel perspectives in Gaza-focused sessions while sidelining Israeli voices and any reference to the Hamas-led October 7, 2023 attacks that killed about 1200 people and saw 251 hostages taken.
Sydney Jewish writer awards expand to six categories
March 11, 2026 by J-Wire Newsdesk
Shalom Collective will present six prizes at its annual Australian Jewish Writer Awards in August, adding poetry, illustrated manuscripts and emerging writers to a program that has grown steadily since its founding two years ago.
Ausländer
March 11, 2026 by Anne Sarzin
Escape, exile, beginnings and endings Book review by Dr Anne Sarzin Read more
Sydney Biennale criticised for one-sided anti-Israel focus
The 2026 Biennale of Sydney, which will open this Saturday, is facing criticism following claims in many artworks, exhibition texts, and related statements that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza. This has raised questions about political bias in one of Australia’s major publicly funded arts festivals.
The Doll Trilogy
March 9, 2026 by Alex First
A Melbourne theatre review by Alex First Read more
The Diary of Anne Frank
March 8, 2026 by Alex First
A theatre review by Alex First Read more
Library loses literary awards after ‘martyr’ blowback
March 6, 2026 by AAP
A library has lost its role managing a state’s literary awards after an Indigenous writer was criticised for her comments about a slain Hamas leader.
New screen fellowship aims to boost Jewish Australian stories
March 5, 2026 by Rob Klein
A new fellowship aimed at strengthening Jewish Australian representation on screen has been launched by Jump Street Films as part of its growing Jewish Australian Screen Fund.
Shabbat Ki Tisah
March 5, 2026 by Jeremy Rosen
What does God look like?
Read more
Ed Sheeran Loop Tour
February 27, 2026 by Alex First
The Melbourne concert reviewed by Alex First Read more
Howling in protest
February 26, 2026 by Anne Sarzin
Book Review by Dr Anne Sarzin Read more
Portrait of love and loss unveiled at Chabad gathering in Bondi
When Melbourne portrait artist Miriam Lange received the call from Rabbi Mendy Groner of Chabad Glen Eira, she did not hesitate. Read more
Asi Wind brings more than magic to Sydney
February 20, 2026 by Rob Klein
For Israeli-born magician Asi Wind, magic is not about fooling people. It is about reaching them. Read more
