Hebrew Literature

Amichai, Yehuda

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Yehuda Amichai (1924-2000; Wurzburg, Germany), born to a religious family, was one of Israel's foremost contemporary poets. He was raised speaking two languages, Hebrew and German.

Amichai immigrated with his parents to Eretz Israel in 1935. He finished his secondary studies in a religious high school and served with the British Army's Jewish Brigade during World War II. He served with the elite Palmach unit in the 1948 War of Independence. Amichai studied Literature and Biblical Studies at Hebrew University. He trained as a teacher and taught at numerous academic institutions in Israel and abroad. Amichai was best known for his poetry, which has been translated into 33 languages. He also published two novels, a collection of short stories and a number of plays which have been produced in Israel. Amichai received the Bialik Prize and the 1982 Israel Prize.f Literature at Haifa University.

Books Published in Hebrew

Now and in Other Davs (poetry), Hakibbutz Hameuchad, 1955 [Achshav U-Be-Iamim Aherim]
Two Hopes Away (poetry), Hakibbutz Hameuchad, 1958 [Be-Merhav Shtei Tikvot]
In the Public Garden (poetry), Achshav, 1959 [Ba-Gina Ha-Yziburit]
In This Terrible Wind (poetry), Schocken, 1961 [Ba-Ruach Ha-Nora'ah Ha-Zot ]
Journey to Nineveh (play), Achshav, 1962 [Masa Le-Ninveh]
Not of this Time, Not of this Place (novel), Schocken, 1963 [Lo Me-Achshav lo Mi-Kan]
Poems 1948-1962, Schocken, 1963 [Shirim 1948-1962]
Bells and Trains (plays and radio scripts), Schocken, 1968 [Pa'amonim Ve-Rakavot]
Now in Noise (poetry), Schocken, 1969 [Achshav Ba-Ra'ash]
Not to Remember (poetry), Schocken, 1971 [Ve-Lo Al Manat Lizkor]
To Have a Dwelling Place (novel), Bitan, 1971 [Mi Itneni Malon]
Behind all this Hides a Great Happiness (poetry), Schocken, 1974 [Me-Ahore Col Ze Mistater Osher Gadol]
Time (poetry), Schocken, 1977 [Zeman]
Numa's Fat Tail (children), Schocken, 1978 [Ha-Zanav Ha-Shamen Shel Numa]
Great Tranquillity (poetry), Schocken, 1980 [Shalva Gedola: Shelot U-Teshuvot]
Hour of Grace (poetry), Schocken, 1982 [Sha'at Hesed]
Of Man Thou Art, and unto Man Shalt Thou Return (poetry), Schocken, 1985 [Me-Adam Atah Ve-El Adam Tashuv]
The Fist Too Was Once an Open Hand with Fingers (poetry), Schocken, 1990 [Gam Ha-Egrof Haia Pa'am Yad Ptuha Ve-Etzbaot]
Open Eyed Land (poetry), Schocken, 1992 [Nof Galui Eyinaim]
Achziv, Cesarea and One Love (poetry), Schocken, 1996 [Achziv, Keisaria Ve-Ahava Ahat]
Open Close Open, Schocken, 1998
Selections of Poems

Copyright © The Institute for the Translation of Hebrew Literature.
Reprinted by kind permission of The Institute for the Translation of Hebrew Literature. First published on the website of The Institute for the Translation of Hebrew Literature: www.ithl.org.il

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