Hayyim Nahman Bialik ((1873-1934) is the national poet of the state of Israel, did you know that? now you do…his poems are threaded in every Israeli childhood memories for many many generations. In commemorating his birth day, the girls, my sister, her children, and my self went to visit his house located on 22 Bialik Street in the city of Tel Aviv. Yes, I wanted to see his house, but truthfully, I thought this was a great excuse to visit the city which is one of my favorites besides LA, New York, and Paris (of course).
That's not his house, thats the house across the street from his. I just really liked it.
His house in Tel Aviv was a real treat, just like a colorful box of chocolates, every room we visited, every story we have heard on the tour (must take the tour) was like eating another bonbon from the box. When we left his house, I had lingering flavor of chocolate in my mouth with a strong taste for more.
I loved hearing all the inside stories of his life. I could easily imagine him sitting in his office writing, and reading. I could see him looking through the window seeing his little neighbor Chamotal, that inspired him to write a poem (which I love) titled: ”Chamotal” (obviously); Visiting his house, seeing where he worked made me feel more personal with his work.
that's his office window on the second floor, right across from Chamotal's.
Children’s literature especially poems are a great way to improve a language and get a better understanding of a culture. And if you tie-in a creative activity, the poems become a live.
In the next couple of posts I will be suggesting some activities for some of Bialik’s poems. So please stay tuned. And I hope you try your best to read them in Hebrew (I will try my best to translate, I may ask my friend Anat to do that, she is an expert…)
In the mean time, If you want to read more about Bialik, wikipedia is one way
some of his translated children’s literature:
Knight of Onions and Knight of Garlic
English: New York, Hebrew Publishing Co., 1934, 1939
Far Over the Sea - Poems and Jingles for Children
English: New York, Union of American Hebrew Congreg. Press, 1939
And It Came To Pass
English: New York, Hebrew Publishing Co., 1938
(I couldn’t take any photos my self)
His house in Tel Aviv was a real treat, just like a colorful box of chocolates, every room we visited, every story we have heard on the tour (must take the tour) was like eating another bonbon from the box. When we left his house, I had lingering flavor of chocolate in my mouth with a strong taste for more.
I loved hearing all the inside stories of his life. I could easily imagine him sitting in his office writing, and reading. I could see him looking through the window seeing his little neighbor Chamotal, that inspired him to write a poem (which I love) titled: ”Chamotal” (obviously); Visiting his house, seeing where he worked made me feel more personal with his work.
Children’s literature especially poems are a great way to improve a language and get a better understanding of a culture. And if you tie-in a creative activity, the poems become a live.
In the next couple of posts I will be suggesting some activities for some of Bialik’s poems. So please stay tuned. And I hope you try your best to read them in Hebrew (I will try my best to translate, I may ask my friend Anat to do that, she is an expert…)
In the mean time, If you want to read more about Bialik, wikipedia is one way
some of his translated children’s literature:
Knight of Onions and Knight of Garlic
English: New York, Hebrew Publishing Co., 1934, 1939
Far Over the Sea - Poems and Jingles for Children
English: New York, Union of American Hebrew Congreg. Press, 1939
And It Came To Pass
English: New York, Hebrew Publishing Co., 1938
This is if you can read in Hebrew:
Rutz ben susi
(I couldn’t take any photos my self)
till next time, have a great week
tali
