Chaim Potok

Herman Harold Potok, better known as Chaim Potok ( born February 17, 1929 in New York City; † July 23, 2002 in Merion, Pennsylvania ) was an American Jewish author and rabbi.

Life

Chaim Potok was born in the Bronx. His parents were immigrants from Poland. Traditionally, his parents gave him a Hebrew name. " Chaim " is the Hebrew word for "life."

1950 ended Potok his studies in English Literature with honors. A study of Hebrew literature, he completed successfully. In addition, he was ordained by the Jewish Theological Seminary of America as a rabbi. Potok joined the U.S. Army and spent 1955 to 1957 more than a year as a military rabbi in South Korea. In 1965 he was awarded a doctorate degree from the University of Pennsylvania.

Potok was best known for his first novel, The Chosen ( German: The elect ) of 1967, which became a bestseller immediately, and the continuation band The Promise ( German: The Promise ). Built in 1969 The Chosen was made ​​into a film in 1981. Here Chaim Potok played in a cameo as a Talmud teacher with. There is also an arrangement for theater and musicals.

These two books are about the friendship between two boys, one comes from a strict Hasidic environment and the other was Jewish- liberal educated. The theme, which is the tension between the two worlds, Potok knew from his own life. He grew up in an orthodox Jewish family. His literary ambitions aroused much opposition in his environment; it was thought that he was wasting his time.

Other popular books by Potok My Name is Asher Lev are ( German: My name is Asher Lev ) from 1972 and The Gift of Asher Lev from 1990, also in these two books is about an artist who has his orthodox. must defy Jewish family and environment to make his talent a professional can.

Besides novels, Potok also wrote plays, children's books, short stories and non-fiction. He also served as a ghostwriter for the autobiography of violinist Isaac Stern.

Potok died on 23 July 2002 at the age of 73 from cancer at his home in Merion, Pennsylvania.