There are two innate and undeniable truths about Jonathan Barnett, he is gay and he is Jewish.

Born into a conservative Jewish community in the United States during the 1960s he believed these truths were irreconcilable and he would have to make a choice between repressing his sexuality or leaving the Jewish community.

That used to be the way, Jonathan says, either homosexual Jews would leave the community or attempt “to condition” themselves out of their sexuality and enter into heterosexual and often unhappy marriages.

But progressive Jewish communities have long advocated that the overarching principle of the Torah is message is one of love regardless of sexual orientation and these days the conservative community is coming around to a similar perspective.

“There are varying degrees in which homosexuality is tolerated and celebrated within certain Jewish communities,” Jonathan says.

Within the Torah full intercourse between men is a viewed as “abdominal” given the same classification as eating pork or ham, or driving on a Friday.

“As with most religions, it is up to the individual to make an assessment as to how to apply the message and intention of the Torah to modern life.”

Sitting across in a St Kilda café, there is no question Jonathan is a man of unwavering faith wearing the Jewish Star of David around his neck, close to his heart.

Now, President of Keshet, Australia’s national body for GLBT Jews, Jonathan Barnett is a charismatic leader and advocate on behalf of homosexual Jews.

In the peak of Midsummer, Melbourne’s LGBTIQ festival, the group along with several others hosts the second Pride Shabbat at Melbourne’s progressive Temple Beth Israel in St Kilda with an expected attendance of up to 300.

Photo Credit: New Matilda