Jan Grabowski, world-renowned Holocaust historian, discusses his ground-breaking essay ‘Whitewash’ with Jewish Quarterly Editor, Jonathan Pearlman. Grabowski examines how museums, schools and state institutions have downplayed and denied the role of Poles in the destruction of the country’s Jews. He recounts how his work led to him becoming the victim of a notorious lawsuit, and reviews the far-reaching consequences of Poland’s efforts to challenge the truth about the Holocaust.
Event Topic: Politics & Current Affairs
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Global Conversations: Hadley Freeman & Irris Makler discuss ‘Blindness: October 7 and the Left’
In her Jewish Quarterly essay ‘Blindness’,Hadley Freeman addresses a most perplexing phenomenon that has arisen out of the Gaza war, rearing its head immediately after October 7: the exponential rise in antisemitism on a world stage. This has been all the more shocking as it has been most evidently propagated within the political left, taking many by surprise.
In this Global Conversation, join Hadley in conversation with foreign correspondent Irris Makler for an examination of the equivocations, contortions and hypocrisy displayed by elements of the left across the political, media, arts and higher education sectors.
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Writing Lives: Anne Sebba on Ethel Rosenberg
We are delighted to present our Writing Lives conversation with esteemed British biographer, Anne Sebba, discussing her remarkable book: ‘Ethel Rosenberg: The Short Life and Great Betrayal of an American Wife and Mother’. How did an otherwise non-descript, first generation Russian Jewish émigré, and mother of two young boys, become the first American woman executed on spurious charges, for a crime other than murder?
Anne Sebba is a biographer, journalist and former Reuters foreign correspondent. She has written many books including the best-selling ‘Mother Teresa: Beyond the Image’, ‘Laura Ashley, A Life by Design’ and ‘That Woman: The Life of Wallis Simpson, Duchess of Windsor’. She lives in London.
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Global Conversations: Richard Cooke & Deborah Stone Discuss ‘Dark Star: Elon Musk’s Dangerous Turn’
In his captivating new essay in the latest issue of the Jewish Quarterly, Walkley award-winning journalist Richard Cooke explores Elon Musk’s spectacular ambition, and how it has shaped his transition from unorthodox liberal to trolling neo-reactionary. How did the richest man in the world transform from a self-described moderate to a staunch advocate for hardline US conservatives? Why did Musk purchase the social media site Twitter, only to welcome back white nationalists and Holocaust deniers, sometimes personally?
Cooke will speak with Deborah Stone, Editor-in-Chief of Plus61J Media, on the roots of this turning in Musk’s rise to power, and what his evolution reveals about a wider shift in the politics of Silicon Valley and beyond.
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Rami and Bassam’s Peacebuilding Tour: An MJBW and KDS Event
Rami Elhanan and Bassam Aramin are from ‘enemy’ sides but are self-proclaimed ‘brothers’.
Rami is a Jewish Israeli from Jerusalem who lost his daughter Smadar in a Palestinian suicide bombing in 1997, the same year Bassam’s daughter Abir was born. Bassam, who grew up in Hebron, was a former fighter who had spent time in an Israeli jail where he saw the film Schindler’s List that changed his life. His daughter, Abir was tragically killed aged 10 years old, by the bullet of Israeli border police.
Their grief bonded the two and forged a joint path of dialogue and reconciliation, rather than hate and revenge, which is the subject of Colum McCann’s award winning book Apeirogon.
In an age of polarisation, their example and message of peace and reconciliation is vital, the rarer it becomes. PLUS61J Media brings them to Australia for the first time, to share a unique encounter. In Rami’s words: “no one can listen to us and remain the same.” -
Book Chat: Ginger Gorman on ‘Troll Hunting’
In Ginger Gorman’s book chat, the award-winning journalist — and author of ‘Troll Hunting’ — discusses the spectre of online harassment. Blending both personal experience and rigorous research, Gorman explores the concept of trolling, and highlights strategies to make technology companies accountable to the public good.
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Book Chat: Jeff Sparrow on ‘Fascists Among Us: Online Hate and the Christchurch Massacre’
In Jeff Sparrow’s book chat, the award-winning writer, editor and broadcaster discusses the 2019 Christchurch massacre, the urgent need to truly fight fascism, and the complexities of far-right responses to climate change.SHOW LESS
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Book Chat: Daniel Ziffer on ‘A Wunch of Bankers’
In Daniel Ziffer’s book chat, the journalist discusses the gruelling stories of Australians dudded by trusted banks and financial institutions — and shares what surprised him most about the Royal Commission into Misconduct in the Banking, Superannuation and Financial Services Industry.SHOW LESS
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Book Chat: Leon Piterman on ‘Living in COVID Times’
Leon Piterman AM is a Professor of General Practice at Monash University and is one of the world’s leading GP educators. He has published widely on clinical and educational issues related to general practice with a particular interest in mental health and chronic disease. His first book “There is a lot of it going around” — A GP’s Odyssey was published in 2019.
In his book chat, Leon discusses Living in COVID Times, an exploration of Australia’s COVID-19 experience through a variety of lenses — from the political and economic components of the pandemic, to its effects on our shared social and religious practices — and explores what he considers might be involved in the final shift toward ‘Covid normal’.
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Book Chat: June Factor on ‘Soldiers and Aliens’
In ‘Soldiers and Aliens’, June Factor explores the forgotten history of the remarkable contribution of non-British subjects to Australia in World War II.
In this Book Chat, June discusses the ‘Employment Companies’, a uniquely multicultural force in the Army long before the term ‘multicultural’ was coined.