'Dayenu's Stars of David Come Out' float at 2000 Mardi Gras
Object numberM2024/017:001
Title'Dayenu's Stars of David Come Out' float at 2000 Mardi Gras
Creator Michael Barnett (photographer)
DescriptionPhotograph of Dayenu float at the Sydney Mardi Gras taken by Michael Barnett OAM with Dayenu in 2000.
On 4 March 2000, the Star of David was lit up in Darlinghurst as the first Jewish float entered Sydney Mardi Gras. This decision was spurred by a unity of Sydney's local gay and lesbian groups. The float featured 160 members of the Australian Jewish community joining together to celebrate in the theme 'The Stars of David Come Out.'
'The float [was] a message to gay and lesbian Jews, and to both communities [LGBTQIA+ and Jewish], that we can and do celebrate and welcome both sides of our identity.' - Dawn Cohen
Sydney's first Jewish LGBTQIA+ advocacy group was cemented with the success of this first float. It was named 'Dayenu', which in Hebrew means 'enough': a statement of liberation and a rejection of oppression.
'... if Jewish lesbians and gays were to find a home... to make that happen, we needed a gay and lesbian organisation that would be bold enough to stand up to the tremendous pressure that [is] placed upon us...' - Dawn Cohen, 2000
Since the first Mardi Gras float in 2000, Dayenu has participated in almost every annual Mardi Gras parade. In 2013, it celebrated its own Bar Mitzvah year, with pink kippot (skullcaps) and rainbow tallit (prayer shawls) being worn in the parade.
In 2023, the organisation was actively involved in Sydney's WorldPride events and partnered to create a pink triangle installation on Bondi Beach, commemorating the 6 million Jews murdered and many thousands of LGBTQIA+ people who were victims of the Nazi regime.
The group continues to hold Mardi Gras shabbat dinner services, while also providing ongoing outreach and support for LGBTQIA+ Jews, their partners, friends and family.
On 4 March 2000, the Star of David was lit up in Darlinghurst as the first Jewish float entered Sydney Mardi Gras. This decision was spurred by a unity of Sydney's local gay and lesbian groups. The float featured 160 members of the Australian Jewish community joining together to celebrate in the theme 'The Stars of David Come Out.'
'The float [was] a message to gay and lesbian Jews, and to both communities [LGBTQIA+ and Jewish], that we can and do celebrate and welcome both sides of our identity.' - Dawn Cohen
Sydney's first Jewish LGBTQIA+ advocacy group was cemented with the success of this first float. It was named 'Dayenu', which in Hebrew means 'enough': a statement of liberation and a rejection of oppression.
'... if Jewish lesbians and gays were to find a home... to make that happen, we needed a gay and lesbian organisation that would be bold enough to stand up to the tremendous pressure that [is] placed upon us...' - Dawn Cohen, 2000
Since the first Mardi Gras float in 2000, Dayenu has participated in almost every annual Mardi Gras parade. In 2013, it celebrated its own Bar Mitzvah year, with pink kippot (skullcaps) and rainbow tallit (prayer shawls) being worn in the parade.
In 2023, the organisation was actively involved in Sydney's WorldPride events and partnered to create a pink triangle installation on Bondi Beach, commemorating the 6 million Jews murdered and many thousands of LGBTQIA+ people who were victims of the Nazi regime.
The group continues to hold Mardi Gras shabbat dinner services, while also providing ongoing outreach and support for LGBTQIA+ Jews, their partners, friends and family.
Production placeDarlinghurst, New South Wales, Australia
Production date 2000 - 2000
Production period21st Century
SubjectDayenu, LGBTQIA+, mardi gras, Star of David
Object namephotographs
Materialdigital
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Michael Barnett OAM