The 1994 ‘AMIA Bombing’ was an attack on Argentina’s Jewish centre in which 85 people were killed. Join writer, editor and digital producer, Elissa Goldstein in conversation with award-winning author and journalist, Javier Sinay to discuss his remarkable essay in the May issue of the Jewish Quarterly. The essay examines the ongoing political intrigue surrounding this catastrophic crime and the reasons it remains unsolved.
Event Topic: Jewish Identity & Culture
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Shalom Auslander: American Jewish Humour with a Modern Twist
In this live event filmed at the Melbourne Holocaust Museum, acclaimed American author Shalom Auslander digs deep in conversation with David Slucki, revealing how his upbringing in an ultra-orthodox community has helped shape him and his view of the world. Shalom uses humour to not just defuse but illuminate the trauma. Please note, the discussion contains expletives.
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Global Conversations: Devorah Baum in conversation with Andrew Dean
Dr Andrew Dean (Deakin University) will interview Devorah on her latest essay, ‘The Myth of the Jewish Literary Mafia’ featured in the Jewish Quarterly.
Devorah Baum is Associate Professor in English Literature at the University of Southampton. Her books include Feeling Jewish: a book for just about anyone (Yale University Press), The Jewish Joke (Profile) and the forthcoming On Marriage (Hamish Hamilton/Penguin). She co-directed the feature films The New Man and Husband. She guest edited the special issue of Granta #146 on ‘The Politics of Feeling’ and she has written for a range of publications including The New York Times, The Guardian, The Financial Times, Tate and the Jewish Quarterly.
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Global Conversations: Professor Steven Nadler in conversation with Dr. Rachael Kohn
Presented in partnership with The Jewish Quarterly, the latest entry in our series of Global Conversations is only a few weeks away.
Professor Steven Nadler, from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, has spent a great deal of his professional life researching and writing about Spinoza’s life, philosophy and relationship with his faith. In the current issue of The Jewish Quarterly, in an article titled ‘The Curse on Spinoza’, he provides new insights into Spinoza’s excommunication. He will be probed in this interview by renowned academic, broadcaster and author, Dr. Rachael Kohn, who also brings enormous research and knowledge to the topic.
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Book Chat: Ali Berg and Michelle Kalus on ‘Fancy Meeting You Here’
Ali and Michelle have been best friends for life. As ten year olds, they could be found ditching play time for writing club. Now, they write books together. ‘Fancy Meeting You Here’ is their latest novel — a charming and unconventional love story about trying to rewrite history.
In this Book Chat, Ali and Michelle explore how rom-coms have changed over the past two decades — and what elements of romantic comedies remain timeless.
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MJBW 2022 Summer Reading Guide
It’s almost that time again! Our favourite Jewish literary tragics are getting together to talk all things Summer reading, recommendations and, perhaps, even some exciting previews of upcoming releases.
Join Elissa Goldstein, Bram Presser and Tali Lavi for another evening of books, books, books! -
Book Chat: Michelle Wright on ‘Small Acts of Defiance’
Michelle Wright has studied at the Faber Writing Academy in Sydney. Her collection of short stories, Fine, was published in 2016 after being shortlisted for the Victorian Premier’s Literary Award for an Unpublished Manuscript. In 2017, Michelle was awarded a six-month Australia Council for the Arts residency at the Cite Internationale des Arts in Paris. Small Acts of Defiance published in 2021 is her first novel.
In her book chat, Michelle discusses Small Acts of Defiance, the story of a young woman who leaves Australia for France in 1940, immediately prior to the Occupation. Michelle explores why she was personally drawn to telling this story, and how themes of family and loyalty — on both a personal and larger level — formed the basis for the work.
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Book Chat: John M. Green on ‘Double Deal’
John M. Green is an Australian thriller writer, well-known business writer, publisher and company director. He is a member of the governing council of the National Library of Australia. He was previously a director of UNSW Press and in 2008, co-founded Pantera Press. Double Deal is his fifth novel.
In his book chat on Double Deal, John explains why constructing a good thriller is akin to building a rollercoaster — and explores why writing ‘on the cusp of the near future’ can often involve finding one’s far-fetched fictional plot points coming true.
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Book Chat: Margaret Taft on ‘Leo and Mina Fink: For the Common Good’
Leo and Mina Fink’s contribution to Australian Jewry is well known but this book is the first that concentrates on their shared contribution, rather than individual efforts. In this Book Chat, Margaret Taft outlines what this extraordinary pair did for the Jewish community, how their personalities shaped their activities, and how their own backgrounds motivated them.
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Book Chat: Suzy Zail on ‘I Am Change’
In Suzy Zail’s book chat, the author of ‘I am Change’ discusses the decision to write about the lives of young women in Uganda, opting for fiction over biography, and writing to empower young women In Australia and Africa.