Hebrew Writers Association in Israel
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The Hebrew Writers Association in Israel (Hebrew: אגודת הסופרות והסופרים העברים בישראל, previously אגודת הסופרים העבריים בארץ ישראל or אגודת הסופרים העבריים or אגודת הסופרים העברים במדינת ישראל) is a professional association of writers and poets, who write in the Hebrew language in Israel. (There are also associations of writers in Israel who write in other languages, including Arabic.)
History
[edit]The Association was established in Tel Aviv in 1921 by Hayim Nahman Bialik, to enrich the Hebrew cultural arena in the then Mandate Palestine.[1] The first meeting was attended by some 70 writers and Nahum Sokolow was elected honorary president.[1] Others who have held this position include: Hayim Nahman Bialik, Ahad Ha'am, Mordechai ben Hillel, Jacob Fichman, Asher Barash and Aharon Avraham Kabak.
The Association currently has approximately 450 members, including authors, poets, directors, and dramatists.[1]
The Association publishes a literary journal called "Moznaim" (Scales), founded in 1928 by Hayim Nahman Bialik, the first issue being published on 15 March 1929.[2]
In 1950, at the initiative of Asher Barash, the Association established Machon Genazim (Repository Institute), now known as the Asher Barash Bio-Bibliographical Institute, as a central archive for the conservation of works in Hebrew.[3]
Other operations of the Association are designated for the promotion of Israeli writers and their work. The Association operates as a trade union, representing its members to ACUM, the publishers association of Israel, tax authorities and other institutions.[1]
The offices of the Association are at "Beit HaSofer", Tel Aviv, which also houses the archives and editorial staff of the journal.
Controversy
[edit]In April 2012, the Hebrew Writers Association in Israel launched a blistering attack on "What Must Be Said" and threatened to call for International PEN to "publicly distance itself from Grass'[sic] remarks and to come out against all expressions of delegitimization against Israel and the Jewish people".[4]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b c d "Website of the Hebrew Writers Association in Israel - "About Us" in English". Archived from the original on 2012-03-15. Retrieved 2011-07-13.
- ^ "Website of the Hebrew Writers Association in Israel - "Moznaim" in English". Archived from the original on 2012-03-15. Retrieved 2011-07-13.
- ^ "Website of the Asher Barash Bio-Bibliographical Institute - "About Us" in English". Archived from the original on 2012-03-12. Retrieved 2011-07-13.
- ^ Sela, Maya (9 April 2012). "Israeli writers call on international literary community to rebuke Gunter Grass". Haaretz. Retrieved 9 April 2012.
External links
[edit]- Website of the Hebrew Writers Association in Israel (primarily in Hebrew)
- Asher Barash Bio-Bibliographical Institute (primarily in Hebrew)
