Dayenu’s proud march
With their rainbow Stars of David blazing, Dayenu proudly marched down Sydney’s Oxford Street on Saturday night.
Despite being attacked by radical fringe group Pride in Protest and being forced to fend off hateful antisemitic attacks since October 7, Jewish LGBTQ+ group Dayenu enjoyed its largest ever Mardi Gras parade group.
With their rainbow Stars of David blazing, Dayenu proudly marched down Sydney’s Oxford Street on Saturday night.
“For the first time in the 18 years I have been involved with Dayenu at Mardi Gras, the event this year stopped being a place of inclusion and safety,” said Dayenu president David Klarnett.
“Complex planning was required to protect our participants. Even with these measures, some participants pulled out for fear of their personal safety.”
Given the hostility in the weeks leading up to the Mardi Gras, Dayenu had even reconsidered its participation in the parade. But Klarnett said the show of support from the Jewish community means Dayenu can now move forward.
“The courage and determination shown at the Mardi Gras by our members and Jewish community was a demonstration of courage and pride – not just for the LGBTQIA+ Jewish community, but for our family, friends and neighbours,” Klarnett said.
Co-CEO of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ) Alex Ryvchin became the organisation’s first leader to march in the parade, an invitation he accepted “with no hesitation and with a deep sense of honour”.
“If my presence there could make someone feel more loved, more accepted, more safe, then how could I not?, Ryvchin said.
“The expressions of gratitude have been among the warmest and heartfelt words I have received since October 7. But the gratitude is all mine.”
A pro-Palestinian protest did break out towards the end of the march near NSW Premier Chris Minns, resulting in nine arrests.
Videos and pictures posted to social media showed some protesters with flares and others holding a large banner that read “queer solidarity with Palestinian resistance”.
Other signs held up during the parade read “Globalise the Intifada” and “Queers for Palestine”.
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