J-Wire

Current News

Wong hauls in Israeli ambassador over ‘shocking’ video

Thursday, May 21, 2026 at 6:00 pm

Australia has added its voice to a barrage of criticism of an Israeli minister who posted a video of himself berating detained pro-Palestine activists. Read more

Australia’s new ambassador to Israel takes up his post

Thursday, May 21, 2026 at 5:12 pm

Australia’s new ambassador to Israel, Neil Hawkins, has formally taken up his post after presenting his credentials to President Isaac Herzog in Jerusalem in mid‑May.

Anne Aly sends a message for Shavuot

Thursday, May 21, 2026 at 4:57 pm

I extend my warmest wishes to all those celebrating Shavuot. May this sacred time bring peace, renewal and warmth to those you love. Read more

Government announces full-time counter-terrorism coordinator

Thursday, May 21, 2026 at 4:04 pm

Senior national security figure Brendan Dowling has taken up the role of Australia’s first dedicated, full-time Counter-Terrorism Coordinator, a direct response to recommendations from the Royal Commission into Antisemitism and Social Cohesion.

Bondi attack security failures under Royal Commission scrutiny

Thursday, May 21, 2026 at 3:41 pm

The Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion will turn its attention to the security and intelligence failures surrounding the Bondi terrorist attack when its second block of public hearings begins this Sydney on Monday, 25 May 2026.

Iran threatens war ‘beyond the region’ if US attacks

Wednesday, May 20, 2026 at 9:40 pm

President Donald Trump claims he came within an hour of restarting the US war with Iran, prompting Tehran to threaten a wider war if it is attacked again.

Frank Lowy calls for a new game plan against antisemitism

Wednesday, May 20, 2026 at 5:31 pm

Sir Frank Lowy has urged Australia to launch a major national campaign against antisemitism, saying the country can learn from the way ethnic conflict was removed from Australian soccer.

Israeli Knesset expected to dissolve today, go to early elections

Wednesday, May 20, 2026 at 5:17 pm

Israeli lawmakers are expected to advance a bill to dissolve the Knesset on Wednesday, a move that would lead to early elections. Read more

Educate 10,000 opens doors to understanding Judaism

Wednesday, May 20, 2026 at 4:38 pm

More than 40 organisations and hundreds of individuals have pledged to learn more about Victoria’s Jewish community through the JCCV’s Educate 10,000 campaign.

Light over darkness: Shabbat dinner to reclaim Bondi

Wednesday, May 20, 2026 at 2:46 pm

Waverley Council is inviting members of the public to register their interest by this Friday in attending a community Shabbat dinner at Bondi Pavilion on 29 May, part of a series of initiatives aimed at fostering healing and solidarity in the wake of the 14 December terror attack.

All boats in latest Gaza-bound Flotilla stopped by Israeli forces

Wednesday, May 20, 2026 at 1:39 pm

All 50 boats in the Global Sumud Flotilla listed by organisers as sailing have been intercepted by Israeli naval forces in the eastern Mediterranean, with about 430 activists being taken to Israel.

Government responds to interim Bondi royal commission recommendations

Tuesday, May 19, 2026 at 6:57 pm

The Albanese government says it prioritised support for victims, helped affected businesses and strengthened security for Jewish community events in its first formal response to the interim report of the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion.

Herzog hosts Israel’s Eurovision runner-up Noam Bettan in Jerusalem

Tuesday, May 19, 2026 at 6:51 pm

Israeli President Isaac Herzog hosted Noam Bettan, Israel’s runner-up representative at the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna, at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem on Monday, praising him for bringing pride to the Jewish state amid international hostility. Read more

Previous Articles and Features

Video

Shelley Segal and Prince Chapelle

Sport

Maccabi Bridge bridges generations

Tuesday, May 19, 2026 at 6:22 pm

Last weekend, Maccabi Bridge held its inaugural 2026 National Championships in Sydney, bringing together more than 50 bridge players from across the community for a day of competition, strategy and social connection.

Albanese says alleged antisemitic abuse at netball match is “beyond belief”

Monday, May 11, 2026 at 5:42 pm

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has condemned the alleged antisemitic abuse directed at Jewish children during a Sydney netball match, describing the incident as “beyond belief” and warning that hateful language is increasingly being normalised through social media.

Police charge woman over alleged antisemitic abuse at children’s netball match

Sunday, May 10, 2026 at 9:45 am

A 42-year-old woman has been charged and provisionally suspended from all netball activities after allegedly directing antisemitic abuse at Jewish children during an under-12s match at Heffron Park in Sydney’s eastern suburbs.

Israel calls on FIFA to depoliticise football following Rajoub stage walk-off

Thursday, May 7, 2026 at 4:52 pm

Israel is calling on FIFA to keep politics out of sports, the general secretary of the Israel Football Association told the Press Service of Israel, following a public confrontation with the Palestinian representative at last Thursday’s FIFA Congress in Vancouver. Read more

Features and Articles

Your people are my people

The Festival of Shavuot has often been described as the “orphan Annie” of all the Chagim. Read more

Ruth on Shavuot

All Biblical festivals and special days relate to time. Read more

Beau Jest

A Melbourne theatre review by Alex First Read more

When “independence” becomes an excuse

There is a familiar pattern when institutions are asked to confront antisemitism seriously. Read more

Chaim Grade’s “Sons and Daughters”

Book review by Dr Anne Sarzin Read more

The four reasons why we can’t move on from a blood libel

“The New York Times” and its enablers are counting on the public’s short attention span and the “suicidal empathy” of liberal Jews to bury Nicholas Kristof’s lie about rapist dogs in Israel.

The charges the world did not want to see: Palestinians accuse Hamas of war crimes

For nearly two years, the International Criminal Court’s investigations into the Israel-Hamas war have drawn global attention.

Bill Maher deserves praise, not gratitude, for telling the truth about Israel

In his typically acerbic, dry humour, comedian-pundit Bill Maher marked the 78th anniversary of Israel’s Declaration of Independence with a hard-hitting monologue that promptly went viral. Read more

Previous Articles and Features

HAVE YOU HEARD? / READERS SAY...

Celebrating Shavuot around Australia

Thursday, May 21, 2026 at 6:01 pm

Students at Jewish schools across Australia have been celebrating Shavuot over the past few days. Here is a selection of photos from the festivities.

BJE’s Project Heritage inspires families through “The Happiest Man on Earth”

Wednesday, May 20, 2026 at 11:48 am

The Board of Jewish Education (BJE)’s Project Heritage brought together students and parents for a powerful cultural and educational experience at the theatrical production, “The Happiest Man on Earth” at the Sydney Opera House last Sunday afternoon.

Maccabi Bridge bridges generations

Tuesday, May 19, 2026 at 6:22 pm

Israeli study points to potential breakthrough in spinal cord injury care

Monday, May 18, 2026 at 4:13 pm

Spinal cord injuries often worsen in the hours after the initial trauma, as a chain reaction of chemical damage spreads through the nervous system.

New book records Shepparton’s lost Jewish farming community

Friday, May 15, 2026 at 2:51 pm

Physiotherapist Devorah Zmood has launched her first book, “Shepparton Jewish Agricultural Settlement Migrant Stories”, documenting the history of the Jewish agricultural settlement at Orrvale, near Shepparton.

Read More Gossip News

Young-Gen

JNF’s My Israel Passport returns to classrooms across Australia

Jewish National Fund Australia has relaunched its “My Israel Passport” educational initiative, inviting primary school students across the country to reconnect with Israel through a sticker-collecting program marking the country’s 78th Independence Day.

Moriah Scholars in Entrepreneurship Program ignites innovation and visit to Israel

The Moriah Scholars in Entrepreneurship Program is uniquely designed to inspire entrepreneurship and innovation among our Year 11 students. Read more

Moriah College students excel in HSC

Moriah College’s Class of 2024 has delivered exceptional results in the Higher School Certificate (HSC), underscoring the school’s academic rigour and commitment to holistic student development. Read more