Eliezer Steinman
Encyclopedia
Eliezer Steinman was a Russian-born Israeli writer, journalist and editor.
in the Russian Empire
, later part of Poland, now in Ukraine
. In his youth, while studying in Chişinău
to obtain semikhah to become a rabbi
, he began to publish his first stories. Starting in 1910, his works, in Yiddish and Hebrew, began to appear in newspapers such as "Rashaphim", "Ha-Shiluach" and "Ha-Tsefirah
" and he earned a living by teaching. During those years, he became associated with David Frischmann and Hayim Nahman Bialik, who worked to obtain his release from service in the Imperial Russian Army
.
In 1917, following the Bolshevik Revolution
, he adopted a communist ideology and asked to be allowed to develop Hebrew culture. He moved to Moscow and began to work for the Shtiebal publishing house and published his first novel. In 1919, he moved to Odessa
and published the pamphlet "The Hebrew Communist". From 1920, Steinman was one of the regular writers for "Ha-Tsefirah" and for the Yiddush newspaper, "Der Mament" (The Moment). In 1923 to 1924, he published the magazine "Kolot" (Voices).
In 1924, Steinman emigrated with his family to Mandate Palestine and began working for the Hebrew Writers Union. He became the first editor of the Hebrew literary magazine "Katuvim" in 1926, which was founded upon the initiative of Hayim Nahman Bialik. The magazine took its name from the Katuvim group founded by Steinman, Avraham Shlonsky
and others to seek the renewal of Hebrew literature. From 1932 to 1933, Steinman was the sole editor of the magazine, which, however, lost the support of the Hebrew Writers Union. Throughout these years, Steinman continued his writing and published many books, including books of essays, novels, children's books and anthologies.
He died in Tel Aviv
in 1970.
Biography
Steinman was born in 1892 in a village in PodoliaPodolia Governorate
The Podolia Governorate or Government of Podolia, set up after the Second Partition of Poland, comprised a governorate of the Russian Empire from 1793 to 1917, of the Ukrainian People's Republic from 1917 to 1921, and of the Ukrainian SSR from 1921 to 1925.-Location:The Podolian Governorate...
in the Russian Empire
Russian Empire
The Russian Empire was a state that existed from 1721 until the Russian Revolution of 1917. It was the successor to the Tsardom of Russia and the predecessor of the Soviet Union...
, later part of Poland, now in Ukraine
Ukraine
Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It has an area of 603,628 km², making it the second largest contiguous country on the European continent, after Russia...
. In his youth, while studying in Chişinău
Chisinau
Chișinău is the capital and largest municipality of Moldova. It is also its main industrial and commercial centre and is located in the middle of the country, on the river Bîc...
to obtain semikhah to become a rabbi
Rabbi
In Judaism, a rabbi is a teacher of Torah. This title derives from the Hebrew word רבי , meaning "My Master" , which is the way a student would address a master of Torah...
, he began to publish his first stories. Starting in 1910, his works, in Yiddish and Hebrew, began to appear in newspapers such as "Rashaphim", "Ha-Shiluach" and "Ha-Tsefirah
Ha-Tsefirah
Ha-Tsefirah was a Hebrew language newspaper published in 1862 and 1874-1931. -History:...
" and he earned a living by teaching. During those years, he became associated with David Frischmann and Hayim Nahman Bialik, who worked to obtain his release from service in the Imperial Russian Army
Imperial Russian Army
The Imperial Russian Army was the land armed force of the Russian Empire, active from around 1721 to the Russian Revolution of 1917. In the early 1850s, the Russian army consisted of around 938,731 regular soldiers and 245,850 irregulars . Until the time of military reform of Dmitry Milyutin in...
.
In 1917, following the Bolshevik Revolution
October Revolution
The October Revolution , also known as the Great October Socialist Revolution , Red October, the October Uprising or the Bolshevik Revolution, was a political revolution and a part of the Russian Revolution of 1917...
, he adopted a communist ideology and asked to be allowed to develop Hebrew culture. He moved to Moscow and began to work for the Shtiebal publishing house and published his first novel. In 1919, he moved to Odessa
Odessa
Odessa or Odesa is the administrative center of the Odessa Oblast located in southern Ukraine. The city is a major seaport located on the northwest shore of the Black Sea and the fourth largest city in Ukraine with a population of 1,029,000 .The predecessor of Odessa, a small Tatar settlement,...
and published the pamphlet "The Hebrew Communist". From 1920, Steinman was one of the regular writers for "Ha-Tsefirah" and for the Yiddush newspaper, "Der Mament" (The Moment). In 1923 to 1924, he published the magazine "Kolot" (Voices).
In 1924, Steinman emigrated with his family to Mandate Palestine and began working for the Hebrew Writers Union. He became the first editor of the Hebrew literary magazine "Katuvim" in 1926, which was founded upon the initiative of Hayim Nahman Bialik. The magazine took its name from the Katuvim group founded by Steinman, Avraham Shlonsky
Avraham Shlonsky
Avraham Shlonsky was a significant and dynamic Israeli poet and editor born in Russian Empire.He was influential in the development of modern Hebrew and its literature in Israel through his many acclaimed translations of literary classics, particularly from Russian, as well as his own original...
and others to seek the renewal of Hebrew literature. From 1932 to 1933, Steinman was the sole editor of the magazine, which, however, lost the support of the Hebrew Writers Union. Throughout these years, Steinman continued his writing and published many books, including books of essays, novels, children's books and anthologies.
He died in Tel Aviv
Tel Aviv
Tel Aviv , officially Tel Aviv-Yafo , is the second most populous city in Israel, with a population of 404,400 on a land area of . The city is located on the Israeli Mediterranean coastline in west-central Israel. It is the largest and most populous city in the metropolitan area of Gush Dan, with...
in 1970.
Awards and honours
- In 1959, Steinman was the co-recipient (jointly with Avraham ShlonskyAvraham ShlonskyAvraham Shlonsky was a significant and dynamic Israeli poet and editor born in Russian Empire.He was influential in the development of modern Hebrew and its literature in Israel through his many acclaimed translations of literary classics, particularly from Russian, as well as his own original...
) of the Bialik PrizeBialik PrizeThe Bialik Prize is an annual literary award given by the municipality of Tel Aviv, Israel for significant accomplishments in Hebrew literature. The prize is named in memory of Hayyim Nahman Bialik. There are two separate prizes, one specifically for "Literature", which is in the field of fiction,...
for literature. - In 1963, he was awarded 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...
, in literature.
See also
- List of Israel Prize recipients