The Drushon Jewish Dreaming

The Drushon Jewish DreamingCommentary on Coexistence, Connections & Culture in Aboriginal and Jewish communities

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Jewish DreamingAcknowledgement of Country and of EldersIntroducing our panel members on the DrushOverview: The purpose of discussion on Jewish Dreaming is to introduce some key issues identified as relevant and intriguing to this prestigious conference

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Not quite Mah Nishtana but here are 4 Questions for you to considerWhat drove this Aboriginal man to stand up for the Jews?Could it link to Biblical history themes of Slavery-to-Freedom? Why did Noel Pearson and Ron Castan, OvS, see connections?How many parallels can you suggest between these two Tribes?

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Jewish DreamingThe role of Midrash (folklore), story-telling and oral history narratives in both culturesThe central place of music in each cultureThe tribal celebration of Rites of Passage The value of educationRole of family, marriage and respect for eldersBurial and mourning rituals and practices

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Jewish DreamingLet us explore some ideas of shared reasoning and surprisingly similar rites and ritual in two ancient cultures

I will also play you some audio and video material to support these ideas of hybridity we are exploring and raise some questions for further discussion

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Jewish Dreaming Eretz = (Hebrew for Land)

Again 4 Questions but I will offer my own answers this timeIs there only one sacred Eretz?Do Aboriginal people aspire to a Land of Milk & Honey? or were they already there, in fact until 1788?Could Uncle William Cooper have wanted to arrive at his own Promised Land.?Are there shared notions of Sacred Land? please sit back and enjoy and consider

Lets view a quick MUSICAL clip, of 4 beautiful songs, about these shared notions of Sacred Land CLIP ONE (1)

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Jewish Dreaming - LandEretz = LandWhat we can see in this clip are shared visions about connectedness to land, and shared understandings about the important place of land in our cultures:Notions of sacredness some examples?Our custodial function 11th Commandment perhaps Thou shalt not exploit if you dont need it, dont take it!Planting - but not partaking - of produce in first 3 years, Sabbatical 7th year Shmitta, 50th year Yovel Jubliee

Time permitting: Please break into groups/pairs to DISCUSS amongst yourselves for 1 minute each, and swap8

Jewish Dreaming - LandTranslate Eretz = Sacred LandThe central place of Land in our cultures:When Uncle Boydie and the Cooper family were invited to Israel for celebrations of the achievements and vision of William Cooper - the family brought some soil & water from Yorta Yorta Country to plant Australian trees in Yaar HaKdoshim, the Forest of the Martyrs, outside JerusalemAn Acknowledgement of Country occurring outside Australia - in the Holy Land?

Lets have a look at our SECOND CLIP illustrating the central place of land in our cultures: TREES/SOIL

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Jewish Dreaming - LandEretz = Land = Sanctity

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Jewish Dreaming Tradition, Music and Spirituality

So where else is there evidence of similarity?Ancient customs of 2 very old tribes - the Month of Elul Coming of Age rituals going bush announcing the Corroboree- Modern use of traditional instruments by musicians like Yothu Yindi or Tjimba and the Yung Warriers right through to Jewish punk band Yidcore

Bram Pressor, lead singer of Yidcore11

Jewish Dreaming Tradition, Music and Spirituality

Tradition, Music and Spirituality12

Jewish Dreaming Tradition, Music and SpiritualityOther evidence of hybridityIs this special moment the unique Jewish Dreaming answer to Dueling Banjos?

PLAY Clip # 3 Rabbi Glassman on Shofar and the late Uncle Reg Blow on Didj13

Jewish Dreaming More hybrid spirituality this time another Rabbi - but same Elder - even blending rituals at a Bar Mitzvah!

the Aboriginal smoking ceremony and the didjeridoo purification ritualwiththe lighting of the multi-wicked candle for a Havdala Ceremony ending Shabbat the Jewish Sabbath

Have a look at this 4th example of blended rituals taken at the Bar Mitzvah of my own son, Noah (videography by David Jack)

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Jewish Dreaming Marking stages of Life-CycleComing of Age rituals:Bar/Bat Mitzvah / Initiation CeremonyMarriage - Forbidden unions / MoietiesValue of Education / Maturity Role of FamilyRespect for Elders

Whose more nervous?? 15

Jewish Dreaming Marking stages of Life-CycleDying / Death / Burial - back on Country the need to connect with soil from Sacred Land Naming, Image as a sign of honouring for Neshama (Soul)

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Jewish Dreaming Language Reclamation DiscoveryA Yorta Yorta language-song from the Bible?Why would an almost extinct Aboriginal language song contain specific references to Moses and Pharaoh?Could such lyrics have influenced the young William Cooper?You may recognise this song used in the film The Sapphires is a version of it sung at the Traditional Passover Feast? (Pesach Sedar!)

PLAY AUDIO of BURRA FERRA CLIP 5 (or on Powerpoint)17

Jewish Dreaming Language Reclamation Discovery

Lets have a look at the lyrics of this song, a traditional Yorta Yorta song, partly derived from a Jewish song usually known as Miriams song or maybe it sounds familiar from your Passover table?

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Feel free to join in and sing along!19

Dreaming William Cooper

The Trailer for Yorta Yorta Mensch produced by Lowlands Media - supported by NITV and Film VictoriaYoung William Cooper would have been about 25 years when the Fisk Jubilee Singers visited with their Gospel Concert Tour Did he compare his peoples struggles to that of the Hebrews and was the leadership of Moses possibly an inspiration for him?

I am now honoured to invite Uncle Boydie Turner, a two-time visitor to Israel, esteemed Elder in his own right, and grandson of Uncle William Cooper, who will now share with us his unique perspective of this enduring hybrid relationshipAt the end of his speech Uncle Boydie will play the trailer for the documentary in progress, Yorta Yorta Mensch, produced by Lowlands Media and supported by NITV and Film Victoria

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Jewish Dreaming The William Cooper legacy continues still today please welcome his 85-year-old grandson - Uncle Boydie Turner

I am now honoured to invite, a two-time visitor to Israel, esteemed Elder in his own right, and grandson of Uncle William Cooper, who will now share with us his unique perspective of this enduring hybrid relationship. At the end of his speech Uncle Boydie will play the trailer for the documentary in progress, Yorta Yorta Mensch, produced by Lowlands Media and supported by NITV and Film Victoria

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