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FeatureAustralia

10 highlights from The Jewish Independent’s first decade

We celebrate 10 years of publication with 10 ways The Jewish Independent has made a difference for the Australian Jewish community.
Deborah Stone
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10 years, 10 highlights from The Jewish Independent

10 years, 10 highlights from The Jewish Independent

Published: 16 October 2025

Last updated: 13 November 2025

The Jewish Independent is celebrating 10 years as a leading voice in the Australian Jewish community.

Founded by publisher Uri Windt as Plus61J Media and renamed in 2024, The Jewish Independent was established with the aim of broadening conversation about Australia, Israel and the Jewish world.

Over the past 10 years we are proud to have raised the quality of discourse in the Australian Jewish community, brought important issues to public attention, and platformed thoughtful analysis, respectful debate and diverse voices. Everything we do is governed by our core values of courage, curiosity, diversity, integrity, and justice.

Our website, bi-weekly email bulletins and social media platforms are now go-to sources for anyone who wants a balanced, informed and engaging gateway to the issues that matter to the Australian Jewish community. Our regular events and community action enhance our impact for the community.

Here are 10 highlights from our first decade.

1. Fighting for justice

From its inception in 2015, The Jewish Independent led coverage of the campaign to bring Malka Leifer to trial, her extradition from Israel and her eventual conviction in 2023 for sexual offences at the Adass Israel school. After Israel’s Deputy Health Minister attempted to impeded the extradition, TJI initiated a petition signed by more than 2000 Australian Jews, calling on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not to reappoint him.

2. Celebrating equality

A few months after marriage equality passed in Australia, couple Ilan Buchman, 70, and Oscar Shub, 71 became the first gay Jewish couple to marry in Australia. The Jewish Independent celebrated the historic event in May 2018 with a  heartwarming video that was shared around the world.

3. Investigating hate

An original investigation by Oscar Kaspi-Crutchett for The Jewish Independent uncovered the antisemitic underbelly of Australia’s anti-lockdown groups. The investigation was cited in parliament  during a speech by Dr Andrew Leigh about antisemitism.

4. Reflecting lockdown life

Sydney filmmaker Benjamin Strum wrote and directed Covid Courage a landmark three-part documentary series reflecting the lives of Sydney Jews during the Covid-19 lockdown. The series wasnamed Best Audio/Visual Report in the 2022 Multicultural NSW Media Awards.

5. Facing death, fighting for democracy

Mark Baker’s final article for The Jewish Independent was a stunning example of the personal meeting the political. A month before he died the historian, writer and communal leader wrote about fighting for Israeli democracy, and the legacy he hoped to leave for his young daughter. His poignant article entitled Fighting for democracy while facing my dayenu became one of our most-read pieces.  

The Jewish Independent

6. Listening to our community

Crossroads surveys are commission by The Jewish Independent to provide new data about both the Australian Jewish community and attitudes to Jewish issues in the wider Australian community. Crossroads21 was a landmark attempt to measure Australia attitudes to Jews, Israel and antisemitism in a statistically reliable survey. Crossroads23 explored the Australian Jewish community’s thoughts and feelings about Israel. Crossroads25, our latest survey, updates the community on Australian attitudes in the wake of October 7 and two years of war in Gaza.

7. Amplifying voices for peace

In the face of the inevitablestories of tragedy and war, peacebuilding initiatives haveprovided some of our most hopeful content. The most striking example is the work of bereaved fathers Israeli Rami Elhanan and Palestinian Bassam Aramim, who brought their message to Australia through a 2023 tour with The Jewish Independent. Our peacebuilding series reports on the efforts of those striving for peace and honours their vision.

6. Telling Australian-Israeli stories

Like all migrants, Israelis who move to Australia have stories that are at once universal and individual. The film Pita with Vegemite captures the experiences of Israelis who have made their homes at the other end of the earth. Made by The Jewish Independent was screened at the Jewish International Film Festival and is now available on SBS-on-demand.

9. Challenging polarisation

In an increasingly conflicted political and social environment, The Jewish Independent strives to find the middle ground, to reflect both Israeli and Palestinian narratives, and to honour those who build connections, respect and hope. In Beyond Black and White, we bring together the often-untold stories that lie in the shadows, where nothing is black or white, dealing with greys that few media organisations choose to cover.

10. Identifying changemakers

Generation Change is regular feature interviewing extraordinary young Australian Jews who are making a positive impact in their local communities. We hear from activists and social entrepreneurs working in environmentalism, health, inclusion, education and more. The series was awarded Best Report in Multicultural Media 2025 at the NSW Premier’s Multicultural Community Medals.

The Jewish Independent 10 years, 10 days campaign asks readers to invest in our next decade. Donate here.

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About the author

Deborah Stone

Deborah Stone

Deborah Stone is Editor-in-Chief of TJI. She has more than 30 years experience as a journalist and editor, including as a reporter and feature writer on The Age and The Sunday Age, as Editor of the Australian Jewish News and as Editor of ArtsHub.

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