Marcelo Birmajer

Marcelo Birmajer is an Argentine Jewish author. He is the grandson of Romanian, Polish, Lithuanian and Syrian immigrants. He is best known for writing the screenplay of the 2004 film El abrazo partido. Birmajer's work usually revolves around the Porteño neighbourhood of Once and its colorful inhabitants. Most stories feature Jewish characters, and he frequently uses for them the names Javier, or Mordejai/Mordechai depending on the character's level of religious observance. He also addresses Jewish issues such as synagogue attendance, Bar Mitzvahs, and the ever present alternative to immigrate to Israel.