Walter Kaufmann

Walter Kaufmann, born Jizchak Schmeidler, was a German-Australian writer whose life and work were profoundly shaped by the tumultuous events of the 20th century. Born in Berlin in 1924, Kaufmann's early life was marked by discrimination and tragedy, including the November pogrom of 1938 and the deportation of his father to Dachau. His parents were later murdered in Auschwitz. Kaufmann emigrated to Australia in 1939, where he served in the Australian Army, worked as a photographer, and sailed the seas before settling into a career as a writer and journalist. His experiences and the horrors he witnessed are reflected in his unyielding and thought-provoking literature. Kaufmann's works, such as "Steinwurf" and "Unter australischer Sonne," offer a poignant glimpse into his resilience and his commitment to bearing witness to the injustices of his time. Despite the hardships he endured, Kaufmann's spirit remained unbroken, and his writings continue to inspire and challenge readers worldwide.