RELIGION

Your parents were Jacques and Ruth Adler,both Jewish immigrants.My father came here from Paris in 1948,my mum from Berlin in 1939. My father was in the Resistance in Paris and came after the war.

Were you raised in a household that was both religiously and culturally Jewish?We were “devout secular Jews”,atheists steeped in Jewish culture. I’m not denigrating people who believe but,for me,it’s about this world,this life. Can you be a decent person? Can you do something? Can you make a contribution – however modest – in your private life,your public life,in this world? I don’t believe in the hereafter. My parents and grandparents didn’t,either;we went to Yiddish school to learn Yiddish and Jewish traditions. My parents didn’t go to synagogue,but were deeply Jewish in their attitudes to life. I think I am,too.

In what way?Actually,I don’t know if it’s specific to being Jewish or being immigrants. After all,Jewish people aren’t the only ones to say that education – and seeing the next generation become professionals – is important. But it wasn’t just about going to university,which was expected and a given. It was also about cultivating a life of the mind. Intellectual and cultural engagement. Like many Middle European Jews,we didn’t go to synagogue,but we went to the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra every Saturday night.

What are your commandments for authors?Think about your audience. Work out who you’re writing for. If you’re writing for yourself,enjoy it,then put it in the drawer. And just because Aunty Beryl or Uncle Kevin thinks it’s great,don’t hang on to their viewpoint. They may not be the best arbiters.

BODIES

When it comes to your body of work,you’ve said you’re an enthusiastic publisher. What does it take for you to say no to something?It sounds banal,but you have to have something to say. Something to contribute. Friends and family with progressive politics would say,“Why did you publish Tony Abbott’sBattlelines?” Well,I thought Abbott could write and has – or had – something to say. We’ve all got our limits. My friends would say Abbott’s views are reprehensible on a whole range of issues. But I thought it was important to have conservatives given the space to argue their positions,in the public square,and to be able to rebut their ideas with civility. It’s why I was happy to take up the invitation to curate a series of short books called In the National Interestabout issues of government,governance and public policy.

Are you happy with your physical body?Have you ever met a woman of my generation who is?

Any major scars? My brother Paul and I in our North Balwyn backyard:he’s seven and I’m four. He’s playing with a shovel when he “accidentally” cuts me here,on the bridge of my nose. Mum’s on the phone saying,“I’ve told you,don’t interrupt me when I’m on the telephone!” Then she sees the blood.

Tattoos? Never. Not a Jewish thing. My parents would have been devastated. “How can you mark yourself?“

Very understandable. How are you finding your 60s?Well,you can’t say,“It’s a horror show!”[Laughs] You’re supposed to say,“It’s great!” Maybe we could put that in. “It’s all great. Everything’s wonderful. It’s so good!”

What can you still do that surprises you?Make a cake. So Jewish.

The first book in theIn the National Interest series (Monash University Publishing) is out this month.

diceytopics@goodweekend.com.au

To read more from Good Weekendmagazine,visit our page atThe Sydney Morning Herald,The Age andBrisbane Times.