People

Born in Wellington, New Zea;and, in a family of Polish Jews who left Bialystok in the 1930s. When a few years old his parents moved to Australia and he was brought up in Melbourne, gdzie mieszkawhere he still lives. He studied at the Melbourne University and at Columbia University. He lectured at Australian universities, in the USA, Papua-New Guinea China, and other countries.

He has written a few short stories and novels in which he deals with the issues faced by immigrants. His first book, Jewels and Ashes, tells the story of his parents, who left Poland and his trip to the country of his ancestors in 1986. He has also written a few screenplays. His books deal also with the subjects of historical memory, refugees, and Jewish diaspora. None of his books has so far been translate into Polish. He writes regularly for "The Age". He is also the chair of the Australian Pen Club.