The best Jewish cultural moments of 2024

Dashiel Lawrence, Executive Director: In a turbulent and otherwise challenging year for many Australian Jews, my favourite cultural moment was the gold medal success of Sydney’s Fox sisters. 

Anyone who has followed Jess Fox in recent years knows that a gold medal in the K1 had alluded the world champion slalom canoeist. Having carried the Australian flag at the opening games of the 2024 Paris Olympics, Jess sent the Australian Jewry into raptures with a flawless display in the K1 and C1 finals, taking gold in both events. Her younger sister Noemie then surprised everyone by claiming gold in the KX-1 final.

The sisters capped off the year by winning the 2024 Don Award – one of Australia's most prestigious sporting awards, recognising an athlete or team whose achievements have inspired the nation.

Deborah Stone, Editor-in-Chief:

Shahar Burla, Contributing Editor: After 25 years and 12 seasons, in 2024, we said goodbye to one of the most Jewish series in TV history – Curb Your Enthusiasm.

The final season featured some great “Jewish” moments, starting with Larry David and Leon Black planning a “roots” trip to Africa and Israel. A few episodes later, a rabbi insisted there was nothing in the Torah to prevent the placement of a defamatory brick in a new plaza at the temple that reads, “Larry David is disrespectful to women”. Later, the rabbi himself adds a brick to the plaza that reads, “Larry David is a shanda for the Goyim”.

The series finale was a masterpiece of self-referential humour, giving (the real) Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld an opportunity to revisit their biggest perceived failure: the Seinfeld finale. Like Seinfeld, the episode is set in a courtroom. This time, Larry is on trial for violating the Election Integrity Act of 2021 in Atlanta by giving water to Leon's aunt while she waited in line to vote. The finale, titled “No Lessons Learned”, was a fitting end to the iconic series.

Ilona Lee, General Manager: On October 6, after a year of sadness and solemnity, the Sydney Jewish community came together to be uplifted by some of Australia's best musicians at the SHIR Songs of Hope concert.

As well as the wonderful performances, which was held at the Sydney Town Hall, it was so good to be out socialising with our community, seeing smiles on everyone's faces and experiencing pure enjoyment. It felt like it had been a long time since I had done that.

Uri Windt, Publisher:

Michael Visontay, Commissioning Editor: The opening night gala performance at this year’s Melbourne Jewish Book Week, titled Of Ghosts and Golems, was an irresistible cocktail of humour, history and chutzpah. It lifted my spirits and reminded me of the joy that is bubbling away under the surface of the global gloom that has descended on us.

But there was more to it than that. It was also just a tiny bit dangerous, when a performer, who called herself Octopussy, came out dressed like an Octopus and delivered a monologue so bizarre that it took a while for the audience to realise they were indeed watching a comedy routine. Her name is Tami Sussman… what a talent! Through this inspired cameo, I knew that the Jewish lust for life is alive and well.

Alexandra Senter, Board Member & Advisor: Seeing the Kadimah Yiddish Theatre’s production of Yentl at the Sydney Opera House this year with my husband was a special experience.

Having already watched a Yiddish-language play of Fiddler on the Roof in New York last year, my expectations were low, but Yentl exceeded my expectations entirely and left me with goosebumps.

The cast and crew delivered an extraordinary performance, navigating challenging circumstances that echoed current day themes and exceptional talent. I only wish every performance had been sold out, as they truly deserved the recognition.

Hannah Chester, Social Media Manager:

Sharon Berger, Events & Partnerships Manager: 2024 has been quite the year – one filled with lots of ups and downs, and different moments of coming together for community and cultural events in both joy and sadness.

I recently attended a get-together of Jewish creatives called Boo! I’m a Jew! organised by TJI’s Ashamed to Admit podcast host Tami Sussman alongside Kevin Garber of Jews of Sydney fame.

Using humour, music and poetry, they helped the audience – most of whom were all younger than me – to grapple honestly with how much things have shifted since October 7 and how we are all struggling to adjust. It was such a meaningful event.

Sharon Offenberger, Communications & Engagement Director: My favourite Jewish cultural moment was producing Pita with Vegemite: An Israeli-Australian Story. The documentary and mini-series platformed a much-needed voice in our current times – Israelis living in Australia who are experiencing broad and complex feelings about immigration, who have come from a very different culture and are settling into Australian ways.

As the October 7 attacks and war in the Middle East began to burn on Australian streets, everyone seemed to talk about Israelis, but no one was speaking with them. I was proud to bring a voice to the beautiful, warm and generous people, which in turn bequeathed a little piece of what I love most about Israel – its people – onto our screens here in Australia. 

Ruby Kraner-Tucci, Assistant Editor & Journalist: