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March 8th, 2021 
Awake Goy March 8, 2021 by J-Wire Newsdesk
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Kim Gotlieb is the vice-president of Sydney’s Jewish LGBTIQ+ Group Dayenu and has reported on the 2021 Mardi Gras.
He commented: “What an awesome spectacle it was to take over the Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday evening and perform our dance routine to the crowd of LGBTIQA+ communities and supporters in the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras 2021 – our once-a-year day to celebrate.
While some were hesitant about the need to move the 2021 Mardi Gras Parade to the SCG it was a remarkable spectacle with pyrotechnics and an awesome digital display adding to the spirit of the Queer community showcasing its creativity and presence.”
“Jewish Stars Shining Bright” was the theme of this year’s Jewish float, featuring a 2-metre Magen David.
With a limit of forty participants, we were joined by Rabbi George Mordechai from Emanuel Synagogue and his wife, Michal overjoyed with their first experience of Mardi Gras.”
Rabbi Mordechai said: ‘It was an honour to represent the Emanuel clergy team at the parade.’
There were also participants from Netzer, Moishe House and a range of LGBTIQ+ Jews, as well as friends and supporters.
Benjamin Newman led a choreographed routine working with Rainbow stars and flags, which provided a glorious high energy ruach, especially when we had our “feature spot” in the centre of the stadium, to the tune of perennial Jewish standard, Hava Nagila.”
Rabbi Jacqui Nino, Kim Gotlieb and Rabbi Cantor George Mordechai
Jonathan David, President of Dayenu, added: “It was great to return to a fabulous Mardi Gras Shabbat Dinner and Parade after a year of online events. We are so grateful that Emanuel synagogue was able to host us once again. Progressive Judaism remains one of the few faith communities to publicly support and embrace LGBT+ . It’s so important to uphold this example for other faith communities, who might support LGBT+ people in a private manner but not yet publicly
Vice President, Kim Gotlieb also designed and built the float, with the support of Mardi Gras Community Workshop Manager, Jane Becker.
He said: “Maintaining a Queer Jewish presence both in Jewish communal context, as well as within Queer circles continues to be an important aspect of Dayenu’s purpose”.
Friday night saw our regular Mardi Gras Shabbat service at Emanuel in which Rabbi Jacki Ninio spoke to the complex rainbow strands of the LGBTIQ+ acronym as well as the theme of this year’s Mardi Gras: RISE. “We rise when we have difficult or uncomfortable conversations when we are open to hearing perspectives which are different from our own and we find the courage and humility to listen and understand.”
This was followed by the regular Mardi Gras Shabbat dinner, attended by rabbis, Dayenu members and Emanuel supporters. MCs for the night were David Rosenberg and legendary drag artist, Fifi Glamcox.
“There is such a strong energy of strength and vitality at this time of the year, and we hope that it will sustain our community until we start planning next year’s Mardi Gras – hopefully back to our usual Oxford St parade, free of Covid restrictions,”, concluded Kim.
All photos: Toby Evans
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