2015 Sydney Jewish Writers Festival highlights

By Sharon Berger

Memories of last week’s hugely successful Sydney Jewish Writers Festival may be fading but at least we still have the books to read and DVDs to watch, plus the photos on our facebook page.  Please feel free to tag yourself.

Dr Dvir Abramovich, Gideon Raff and Jennifer Teege

Emmy-award winning creator/director of Homeland and Prisoners of War, Gideon Raff, was hugely popular in his sold-out session with moderator Michaela Kalowski. Together they delved into the very different reception that prisoners of war receive in both the US and Israel. These differences lie at the core of his decision in differentiating the two series, which are both based on the idea of soldiers returning home after many years in captivity. It was a privilege to hear more about his motivation to make the series and also the Israeli public’s reaction to the Prisoners of War.

Michaela Kalowski in conversation with Gideon Raff

The 'Facing Adversity' session, with authors Martin Chimes and Greg Fisher, moderated by Shirli Kirschner, was also standing room only. Many of Martin’s family and friends made the effort to come hear more about his novel, The Lion’s Den, as well as his struggle with cancer. Kirschner adeptly weaved his struggle with that of Greg Fisher, who overcame drug addiction and eight years in jail to turn his life around. 

Booksigning with Martin Chimes, Greg Fisher and Philip Mendes

Other stand-out sessions included former Deputy Prime Minister Tim Fischer speaking about General John Monash as well as German-Nigerian author Jennifer Teege, who spoke about her incredible journey discovering the gruesome truth about her family in her book, My Grandfather Would Have Shot Me.

Tim Fischer

Festival-goers appreciated “the excellent homework done by all the moderators, as well as the generosity and openness of the authors.” Additional evaluation feedback included “Each one was so unique  yet powerful and moving – wonderful human stories. … Thanks for a stimulating and inspirational day! ”

Book sales, courtesy of Lindfield Bookshop, were brisk and patrons appreciated the opportunity to get up close and personal with the authors at the book signings.

Gideon Raff with fans

Everyone enjoyed the Festival's new venue, Waverley Library, which allowed for larger sessions, dining space and easy access.

Parents enjoyed the opportunity for their children to attend the PJ Library/Arty Start workshop where kids aged 6-8 were able to write and illustrate their own story. 

PJ Library art activity

There were also a number of sessions aimed at parents including 'Will the kids be alright?' with parenting experts Joanne Fedler, Dr Arne Rubinstein and teenage depression survivor Adam Schwartz. 

Will the kids be alright panel?

Until 2016...! Let us know if you have any wonderful Jewish authors you would like to see at next year’s festival, and keep in touch with Jewish writing in Sydney and around the world by liking us on Facebook.

Photos courtesy of David Sokol Photography. 

Why kill a man when you can kill an idea?

By Elle Kaye

Winner of the Australian Jewish News 2015 Writing Competition

Award winning series Homeland and Prisoners of War

To coincide with the Australian visit of Emmy-award winning Israeli writer/director Gideon Raff, creator of Prisoners of War, the Israeli television show that led to US blockbuster series Homeland, we asked readers to submit a short story, poem or screenplay that starts with the line "Why kill a man when you can kill an idea?", a quote from Homeland. 

The graffiti stared at her. Bright, dripping yellow on the grey tunnel wall, illuminated haphazardly by a flashing, fluorescent light. She tried to imagine what would possess someone to risk their life to write such a thing. Tried to ignore that gnawing sensation that told her that she was meant to see it. Today. Now. Urgently.

This wasn’t the train she had meant to catch home. She was early. Classes had been cancelled in advance of the exam period starting the following week. But here she was. Stopped. Blinking in time with a fluorescent light and a spray of graffiti.

She imagined the anonymous author. An utter cliché, baggy jeans, skateboard, backpack full of spray-paint canisters. And as she imagined him there she shouted to him: “Hey! Does it even matter which you kill? It’s not the answer that matters. It’s the question itself. Asking yourself the question matters. Thinking is what matters. Intention matters.” And as her monologue played out in her imagination and as her eyes scanned the text again, the bag on her lap began to feel heavy.

She had never had access to her papers before. But today she had had to reapply for the next year at university. On the previous two occasions she had been escorted. But because she had been such a good girl for the past two years, because she had returned home daily, because she continued to tow the line, she was allowed to have her papers for today only. She had stood passively as she watched the safe being unlocked and her papers retrieved. She had promised faithfully to return them.

Every day she returned to her community was another day she risked being married off. She knew how it would be. Knew that the marriage would happen without her knowledge. Knew that she would be woken one morning and married before the sun had fully risen.

Being different was not a good thing in her community. Unless, of course, you could be useful. And so, improbably, she was given the opportunity only a handful of women had been given before, a degree at university. And because of her obvious aptitude for numbers, stellar lineage, her quiet demeanour and outward piety, she was not seen as a flight risk.

She would have liked more time. But as the train continued to stand still and as the light continued to flicker against the yellow graffiti, she knew she needed to act.

She got off the train. She walked into the first bank she saw. She opened a bank account with her papers and two cheques she had received only that day. She had won two prizes this year. $6750 all up. Not enough to live off. If it were only for the cheques, she never would have had the courage to leave. It was actually having work prospects that did it. The other piece of paper weighing down her canvas bag. A job offer. Full-time over the summer then part-time when university returned. Mentorship. Even rental assistance.

She thought of the question again as she walked out of the bank into the glaring sunlight. She laughed aloud as she thought of the irony of her choices. She hadn’t killed a man or an idea. She had killed herself  … by giving herself a new life. Back home, she would be mourned as if dead. Excommunicated forever. And she knew that there would be a deep and heavy sadness to reckon with. But for now, all she felt, was free.

Gideon Raff is a guest presenter at the 2015 Sydney Jewish Writers Festival

Gideon Raff will be speaking at the opening night of the Sydney Jewish Writers Festival on Saturday 29 August from 8:30pm - 10pm, I love a complex country: Views on Israel with Dvir Abramovich, Jennifer Teege and Debbie Whitmont. 

He will also be speaking on Sunday 30 August from 3:15pm - 4:15pm, TV espionage: In Conversation with the creator of Homeland, Prisoners of War & Dig, Gideon Raff with Michaela Kalowski. 

To see the full program and buy tickets: www.sjwf.org.au 

Homeland & Prisoners of War creator headlines Sydney Jewish Writers Festival

Gideon Raff

Ground breaking Israeli television director and writer of Prisoners of War, Homeland & Dig, Gideon Raff, New York Times foreign affairs editor Roger Cohen and German-Nigerian author Jennifer Teege, whose grandfather was a brutal Nazi commandant, headline the upcoming Sydney Jewish Writers Festival (SJWF) this August 29-30.

The SJWF’s program is packed with fascinating sessions on BDS, Westfield mogul Frank Lowy, Iran, General Monash, South African history, Holocaust memorialisation, raising teens and much more. 

The Festival opens Saturday night with the launch of Leah Kaminsky’s latest novel, The Waiting Room, plus an extended session exploring the complexities of Israel with the three international guests plus Dr Dvir Abramovich from the University of Melbourne.  All three international guests will also have one-on-one interviews during the Festival exploring their stories in more depth.

Homeland and Prisoners of War television series

Gideon Raff’s insightful television drama series Prisoners of War (Hatufim), Homeland and Dig have shown viewers the gritty realism of the Middle East and America’s war on terror. Even if you have not seen these gripping shows, hearing from their creator, whose ability to show the nuanced realities on the ground, will be a unique opportunity.

Another session not to miss will be that of New York Times foreign affairs columnist Roger Cohen’s session, From South Africa to Times Square. His recent book tells the story of his family’s journey from Lithuania to South Africa at the turn of the century and under apartheid, and later to England, the US and Israel. An award-winning columnist he will share his experiences and challenges covering foreign affairs for one of the world’s most well-known newspapers.

Jennifer Teege

“Jennifer Teege may not be well-known in Australia as an author yet but her story is just extraordinary to hear,” said Festival Director Michael Misrachi. “Teege accidentally discovered she was the granddaughter of Amon Goeth, the brutal Nazi commandant depicted in Schindler’s List, her book My Grandfather Would Have Shot Me depicts her extraordinary journey coming to terms with the secrets of her past,” he explained.

The Festival continues all day Sunday from 10:00am – 6:45pm with a choice of two sessions available each hour. Additional highlights include an In Conversation with radio broadcaster and author Ramona Koval about her search for her true parentage. An interview with former Deputy Prime Minister Tim Fischer about his recent book on Jewish general Sir John Monash will also examine Fischer’s claims of Anti-Semitism affecting Monash’s career.

In conjunction with PJ Library the SJWF will also offer two children’s workshops for kids age 6-8 during the Festival where children will make their own storyboards.

For the first time the Sydney Jewish Writers Festival is being hosted by Waverley Council at Waverley Library in Bondi Junction. 

For further information or to book please go to www.sjwf.org.au