3 February 2020
Jewish Care Victoria is proud to have walked in the 25th Annual Midsumma Pride March on Sunday 2 February.
Together with nine other Jewish community organisations, Jewish Care staff, Elders from Montefiore Homes, volunteers, friends, and leaders, including Jewish Care President Suzie Ivany OAM, Immediate Past President Michael Debinski, and Board Director Professor Sharon Goldfeld, marched under the ‘Jews of Pride’ banner.
Other groups and organisations marching under the same banner included Aleph Melbourne, Jewish Lesbian Group of Victoria, Keshet, Habonim Dror Melbourne, SKIF, National Council for Jewish Women, Zionist Federation of Australia, Australian Jewish Democratic Society, and Temple Beth Israel.
The Midsumma Pride March is part of the Midsumma Festival, a 22-day annual celebration of LGBTI+ arts, culture, and the diverse communities that exist within the larger LGBTI+ community.
Speaking of the importance of Jewish Care walking in the Midsumma Pride March, Jewish Care Executive Samuel Murray said, “What better way to let the LGBTI+ community know we proudly welcome and include them in all we do than to march alongside them in solidarity. This is our second-year marching, and to do so alongside other Executives and Board members of Victoria’s largest Jewish services provider sends a powerful message to those in our community who identify as LGBTI+.”
“As Jewish Care’s Pride banner said, there is strength in diversity,” said Jewish Care COO, Hugh Cattermole. “We know that we, as a community, are at our strongest when we celebrate our differences and stand right alongside each other.”
“Jewish Care values the inclusion of every single member of our community,” added Jewish Care President Susie Ivany OAM. “Marching alongside LGBTI+ members of both the Jewish and wider communities, as well as other communal organisations, is just one more way we can outwardly express our commitment to supporting diversity and inclusion.”
Jewish Care Victoria is committed to ensuring inclusive services and supports across the entire organisation. In addition to participating in the Midsumma Pride March, Jewish Care has recently completed the Rainbow Tick Accreditation assessment.
To find out more about Jewish Care’s commitment to inclusive practice, contact [email protected].