Yemima Avidar-Tchernovitz
Encyclopedia
Yemima Tchernovitz-Avidar was an Israeli author whose works became classics of modern Hebrew children’s literature.
, Ha-Am, and Olam Katan
Hebrew and Yiddish-language newspapers.
Hebrew was the spoken language in her parents' home. In 1921, they immigrated to Palestine. After much wandering, the family moved to Tel Aviv in 1925, where she completed her secondary education at The Herzliya Hebrew Gymnasium. Her mother died of lung disease in 1928. A year and a half later, her father died of malaria.
After finishing school, Tchernovitz-Avidar began teaching alongside poet and editor Aaron Ze’ev, with whom she published children’s booklets called Tzitz (Blossom). From 1931 to 1932 she left to study education at the Universities of Berlin and Vienna, completing her studies at the Jugendheim in Berlin. In Vienna she met Yosef Rochel, who had come there for medical treatment after losing his right hand in a grenade explosion during Haganah training exercises. They married in 1932 and upon their return to Palestine settled in Tel Aviv.
From 1932 to 1945 Yemima served as a nursery school teacher and principal for the Tel Aviv municipality. Throughout these years she participated in the Children’s Hour and other radio programs of Kol Yerushalayim
, translating and adapting broadcasts for children and young people. She served on the board of the Nursery School Teachers’ Theater, adapting plays for performance, and also on the editorial board of Dvar HaPo’elet, a publication for women workers.
With the establishment of the Israel Defense Forces
in June 1948, her husband Yosef, who was then a brigadier-general, changed his name to Avidar, an acronym based on the names of his daughters: Dana (b. 1939) and Rama (b. 1933). She accompanied her husband on his assignments as Israel’s ambassador, first in Moscow (1955–58) and then in Buenos Aires (1961–64). Their permanent residence from 1953 was in Jerusalem.
Tchernovitz-Avidar died on March 20, 1998. Her archive and complete list of publications can be found in the Genazim Bio-bibliographical Institute of the Association of Israel Writers, 6 Kaplan Street, Tel Aviv, 64734.
She was among the first authors to draw their subject matter from the everyday lives of the country’s youngsters. Both native-born children in Palestine, who lived at a time when the pre-State Jewish community was called upon to defend its borders, and the children of immigrants from the Diaspora, growing up in a state experiencing constant wars, saw in these books a reflection of their lives and wished to be like these brave imaginary children. Shemonah beIkvot Ehad (Eight in Pursuit of One, 1945), considered the first Hebrew novel of this type, describes how a band of kibbutz children took on the adults’ fight, and captured a dangerous spy. This popular work, which was reissued in several editions, was translated into English and even adapted into a movie. The book’s uniqueness lies in the authentic description of a band of “sabra” children, which served as a role model for young readers who saw the group as a desirable and exemplary image of themselves.
Her language is plain and her style fresh and clear, devoid of hyperbole, modern, and colloquial, with images drawn from the Israeli child’s immediate surroundings. However, she also drew in a flexible and fluent manner on the language of the Bible and other classical texts. In this way she contributed greatly, from the 1930s on, to young people’s ability to read classic Hebrew sources.
Over time, Tchernovitz-Avidar herself felt that her books were becoming outdated, and tried to revive them. "Eight in Pursuit of One", which deals with Palestine during the first years of World War II, was revised by her 50 years later together with her daughter, Rama Zuta, and republished in 1996.
Many of her books portray times of war and Israel's struggle for independence, combining detective-adventure story lines with the atmosphere of a specific time and place, intertwining Zionist-nationalist ideology with general ethical values, while avoiding the trap of didactic moralizing. She contributed to the establishment of modern, original Hebrew literature for children, and translated of many works of world literature (including "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" by L. Frank Baum
, "The Adventures of Pinocchio" by Carlo Collodi
and "Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland" by Lewis Carroll
).
In 2003, six diaries that she wrote as a girl, in fluent Hebrew, were published. The first, dated Kiev, 1919, was written when she was ten years old.
In 2005, she was voted the 174th-greatest Israeli of all time, in a poll by the Israeli news website Ynet
to determine whom the general public considered the 200 Greatest Israelis.
Life
Tchernovitz-Avidar was born in Vilna, Lithuania in October 1909. Her father, Samuel Tchernovitz (pen-name Sfog-Sponge), was one of the editors of Ha-TsefirahHa-Tsefirah
Ha-Tsefirah was a Hebrew language newspaper published in 1862 and 1874-1931. -History:...
, Ha-Am, and Olam Katan
Olam katan
Olam katan is a concept of Jewish philosophy that certain concepts mirror the world as a whole Its use probably originates from the Midrash .Man is compared to a "small world"...
Hebrew and Yiddish-language newspapers.
Hebrew was the spoken language in her parents' home. In 1921, they immigrated to Palestine. After much wandering, the family moved to Tel Aviv in 1925, where she completed her secondary education at The Herzliya Hebrew Gymnasium. Her mother died of lung disease in 1928. A year and a half later, her father died of malaria.
After finishing school, Tchernovitz-Avidar began teaching alongside poet and editor Aaron Ze’ev, with whom she published children’s booklets called Tzitz (Blossom). From 1931 to 1932 she left to study education at the Universities of Berlin and Vienna, completing her studies at the Jugendheim in Berlin. In Vienna she met Yosef Rochel, who had come there for medical treatment after losing his right hand in a grenade explosion during Haganah training exercises. They married in 1932 and upon their return to Palestine settled in Tel Aviv.
From 1932 to 1945 Yemima served as a nursery school teacher and principal for the Tel Aviv municipality. Throughout these years she participated in the Children’s Hour and other radio programs of Kol Yerushalayim
Kol Yerushalayim
Kol Yerushalayim was the name given to the Hebrew transmissions of the Palestine Broadcasting Service established by the British Mandatory Authority.-Establishment:...
, translating and adapting broadcasts for children and young people. She served on the board of the Nursery School Teachers’ Theater, adapting plays for performance, and also on the editorial board of Dvar HaPo’elet, a publication for women workers.
With the establishment of the Israel Defense Forces
Israel Defense Forces
The Israel Defense Forces , commonly known in Israel by the Hebrew acronym Tzahal , are the military forces of the State of Israel. They consist of the ground forces, air force and navy. It is the sole military wing of the Israeli security forces, and has no civilian jurisdiction within Israel...
in June 1948, her husband Yosef, who was then a brigadier-general, changed his name to Avidar, an acronym based on the names of his daughters: Dana (b. 1939) and Rama (b. 1933). She accompanied her husband on his assignments as Israel’s ambassador, first in Moscow (1955–58) and then in Buenos Aires (1961–64). Their permanent residence from 1953 was in Jerusalem.
Tchernovitz-Avidar died on March 20, 1998. Her archive and complete list of publications can be found in the Genazim Bio-bibliographical Institute of the Association of Israel Writers, 6 Kaplan Street, Tel Aviv, 64734.
Work
Tchernovitz-Avidar was known primarily for her full-length books, which laid the foundation for the “band-of-friends” genre (sippurei havurah in Hebrew) that combined children’s adventures with daring, courage, and sacrifice. Her books became classics of modern Hebrew children’s literature.She was among the first authors to draw their subject matter from the everyday lives of the country’s youngsters. Both native-born children in Palestine, who lived at a time when the pre-State Jewish community was called upon to defend its borders, and the children of immigrants from the Diaspora, growing up in a state experiencing constant wars, saw in these books a reflection of their lives and wished to be like these brave imaginary children. Shemonah beIkvot Ehad (Eight in Pursuit of One, 1945), considered the first Hebrew novel of this type, describes how a band of kibbutz children took on the adults’ fight, and captured a dangerous spy. This popular work, which was reissued in several editions, was translated into English and even adapted into a movie. The book’s uniqueness lies in the authentic description of a band of “sabra” children, which served as a role model for young readers who saw the group as a desirable and exemplary image of themselves.
Her language is plain and her style fresh and clear, devoid of hyperbole, modern, and colloquial, with images drawn from the Israeli child’s immediate surroundings. However, she also drew in a flexible and fluent manner on the language of the Bible and other classical texts. In this way she contributed greatly, from the 1930s on, to young people’s ability to read classic Hebrew sources.
Over time, Tchernovitz-Avidar herself felt that her books were becoming outdated, and tried to revive them. "Eight in Pursuit of One", which deals with Palestine during the first years of World War II, was revised by her 50 years later together with her daughter, Rama Zuta, and republished in 1996.
Many of her books portray times of war and Israel's struggle for independence, combining detective-adventure story lines with the atmosphere of a specific time and place, intertwining Zionist-nationalist ideology with general ethical values, while avoiding the trap of didactic moralizing. She contributed to the establishment of modern, original Hebrew literature for children, and translated of many works of world literature (including "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" by L. Frank Baum
L. Frank Baum
Lyman Frank Baum was an American author of children's books, best known for writing The Wonderful Wizard of Oz...
, "The Adventures of Pinocchio" by Carlo Collodi
Carlo Collodi
Carlo Lorenzini , better known by the pen name Carlo Collodi, was an Italian children's writer known for the world-renowned fairy tale novel, The Adventures of Pinocchio.-Biography:...
and "Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland" by Lewis Carroll
Lewis Carroll
Charles Lutwidge Dodgson , better known by the pseudonym Lewis Carroll , was an English author, mathematician, logician, Anglican deacon and photographer. His most famous writings are Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and its sequel Through the Looking-Glass, as well as the poems "The Hunting of the...
).
In 2003, six diaries that she wrote as a girl, in fluent Hebrew, were published. The first, dated Kiev, 1919, was written when she was ten years old.
Awards and honors
- In 1983, She won the Ze'ev Prize for children's literature, given by the Association for the Wellbeing of Israel's Soldiers (Aguda Lemaan Hachayal).
- In 1984, she won the Israel PrizeIsrael PrizeThe Israel Prize is an award handed out by the State of Israel and is largely regarded as the state's highest honor. It is presented annually, on Israeli Independence Day, in a state ceremony in Jerusalem, in the presence of the President, the Prime Minister, the Knesset chairperson, and the...
for children's literature. - In 1992, she was made an Honorary citizen of Jerusalem and granted Yakir Yerushalaim award.
In 2005, she was voted the 174th-greatest Israeli of all time, in a poll by the Israeli news website Ynet
Ynet
Ynet is the most popular Israeli news and general content website. It is owned by the same conglomerate that operates Yediot Ahronot, the country's secondleading daily newspaper...
to determine whom the general public considered the 200 Greatest Israelis.
Books published in Hebrew
- Stories for Rama (Sipurim Le-Rama), Stybel, 1936
- Daliah, Hatkufah, 1940
- Naughty Muki (Muki HaShovav), Massada, 1943
- Awake Spring (Ura Ma`ayan), Yavne, 1943
- The Swallow Tells Me (HaSnunit Mesaperet), Massada, 1944
- Eight in Pursuit of One (Shmonah BeIkvot Ehad), Twersky, 1945; Keter, 1996
- He Will Bring Them (Hu Yavi Otam), Twersky, 1945
- A pair of Shoes (Zug Na`alaim), Twersky, 1945
- Grandpa Moon (Saba Yareah), Yavne, 1945
- One of Ours (Ehad MiShelanu), Twersky, 1947
- Kindergarten Songs (Gan Gani Alef, Three volumes, with Levin KipnisLevin KipnisLevin Kipnis was a children's author and poet who wrote mainly in Hebrew and Yiddish. He won the Israel prize in 1978.-Biography:Kipnis was born in Ushomir in Volhynian Governorate which was part of the Pale of Settlement of the Russian Empire , into a family of 12...
), Twersky, 1947–1952 - The Toys` visit (Bikur HaTza`atzuim), Massada, 1949
- Two Friends on the Road (Shnei Re`im Yatzu LaDerech), Twersky, 1950
- The Magic Chain (Sharsheret HaKesamim), Newmann, 1952
- The Winding Path (BaShvil HaMitpatel), Twersky, 1955
- Kushi and Nushi, Massada, 1955[Kushi Ve- Nushi]
- The Secret Circle (BeMa`agal HaStarim), Dvir Li- Yladim, 1955
- Home (Habaita), Am Oved, 1960
- Stories for Nivi (Sipurim LeNivi), Massada, 1962
- Grandma's Dove (HaYonah Shel Savta), Massada, 1963
- The Daughter (HaBat), Massada, 1966
- Nunu, Twersky, 1967
- Towers in Jerusalem (Migdalim B`Yerushalayim), Massada, 1968
- Diligent Girls (Yeladot Harutzot), Yizre`el, 1968
- Operation 52 (Mivtzah 52), Massada, 1971
- Michali, Massada (Michali), 1974
- Really? (BeEmet?), Sifriat Poalim, 1978
- Fire Chariot (Rechev Esh), Lichtenfeld-Bronfman, 1979
- Tantan comes to Visit (Tantan Ba LeHitareah), Massada, 1979
- Muki is Angry with Mum (Muki BeRogez Al Ima), Massada, 1980
- Grandma's Teddy Bear Goes North (Duby Shel Savta Yotze LaTzafon), Sifriat Poalim, 1982
- Three Diligent Girls (Shalosh Yeladot Harutzot), Domino, 1983
- Hello Grandma, It's Me Talking (Hallo Savta, Zo Ani Medaberet), Keter, 1984
- Daddy's Paratrooper Boots (Na`alei HaTzanhanim Shel Aba), Lichtenfeld, 1984
- Mommy I'm Bored! (Ima, Mesha`amem Li!), Keter, 1986
- Grandma Wears Sportwear (Savta Be Training), Massada, 1988
- You will not Keep Me at Home (Oti Lo tashiru BaBait), Keter, 1988
- Little Fibbs (Shkarim Ktanim), Keter, 1990
- Who Kidnapped Boaz? (Mi Hataf Et Boaz?) Keter, 1992
- Stories for Roee (Sipurim LeRoee), Keter, 1993
- Yemima Avidar-Tchernovitz` Big Book (HaSefer HaGadol Shel Yemima Avidar-Tchernovitz), Am Oved, 1995
- Grandma Through the Windows (Savta Yatza MeHaHalonot), Keter, 1997
Translated books
- Kindergarten Songs (Gan-Gani) – English: Tel Aviv, Twersky, 1957
- The Daughter: The Diary of an Israeli Girl – English: Ramat Gan, Massada Press, 1969
- Home! – Spanish: Buenos Aires, Editorial Israel, 1961
- One of Our Own – Spanish: Buenos Aires, Editorial Israel, 1953
- Two Friends on the Road – Russian: Jerusalem, Aliya, 1993