[Page 146]
The writer Israel Zarchi (1909–1947)
by S. D. Yerushalmi.
Translated by Selwyn Rose.
Israel Zerach Gertler (Z”L), known by his pen–name, “Israel Zarchi”, who in his short life managed to enrich the new Hebrew literature with 13 of his original books and two exemplary books from world literature that he translated into Hebrew, was born in Jędrzejów to one of the respected families.
He was born on 6th October 1909 at the end of the festival of Succoth to his father, Rabbi Shimon Gertler and his wife, Hinda the daughter of Rabbi Zalman Sternfeld, the owner of the Skroniów estate, near Jędrzejów. His mother died a short time after his birth and the orphans – his sisters, Shprintzer (?) and Rosa and he – the youngest – were brought up by their paternal grandmother, Esther Gertler of Miechów–Charsznica. From there he went for training to Grochów, a suburb of Warsaw and from there immigrated to Palestine. In his letter, that he sent to his friend Haim Toren on 7th May 1946, (about a year before his death), in reply to one sent to him concerning Volume three of “Our Beautiful Literature from Bialik Until Today”, are found some interesting insights into his life. This is what he wrote:
“I received a free and liberal education in Polish (until I learned Yiddish from my friends, I was already a young man). At first I studied at a Polish National school and afterwards at the Jewish Gymnasium in Kielce where the teaching language was Polish. In that Gymnasium there was also the possibility of studying in Hebrew but – because I had excellent grades in all my subjects (except Hebrew) – I was exempted from taking part in lessons on Judaism and for many years I knew nothing of our language. When I was 15 or 16, I spent some time in northern Italy (in the Tyrol), in the home of an Ashkenazi family from Vienna, and while there I learned German. I returned from the Tyrol to Poland and there I became awakened to the study of Hebrew, I even went to a village of pioneers – Grochów – near Warsaw that was a Palestinian kibbutz in all essentials, and stayed there for more than a year.
In 1929 I immigrated to Palestine as a pioneer: in the beginning I lived in the huts of the pioneers in Petah Tikvah on public land and worked making the new road from Petah Tikva to Kfar Saba. For personal reasons, I transferred to Kibbutz Givat Hashlosha and stayed there for more than
[Page 147]
a year working mainly in the citrus groves and the cow–sheds and prepared ground for planting citrus saplings for the artist Reuven and his brother. One day I was told that we would have a special planting ceremony in the grove – and the first sapling would be planted by Bialik. I wasn't present at the beginning of the planting – who was I – a young pioneer walking after the cows. Only the following day when I came to work did I find out and I was filled with anger.
When I left Givat Hashlosha I was a “day–worker” in the citrus groves of Kfar Saba; but because at that time the trees didn't bear fruit, in the winter I moved between Petah Tikvah in winter picking oranges and thus I was, for a couple of years a seasonal worker in the citrus groves: in summer in Kfar Saba working in the citrus groves and in the summer picking oranges in Petah Tikva.
At the end of that period I wrote my first story “Youth” and the manuscript wandered around together with me from place to place. Then I moved to Tel–Aviv working on a building in Yehuda Halevi Street and all the horrors that I endured still make my heart flutter to this day. In 1932 I entered – on the recommendation of Bialik – the Hebrew University and my time there is certainly well–known to you. I completed my studies there with my degree in the Humanities in 1938, although it had never been my intention from the start to study just to obtain a certificate, but as my studies progressed there awoke within me the urge to compete and I passed the entrance exams; from that came the impulse to acquire Hebrew.
In 1934 I went to Iraq, losing my way in the desert and forsaken places several times in the near east and as a result of that I wrote “The Oil Flows to the Mediterranean Sea”. In 1938, with the completion of my studies at the University, I was in Europe – Italy, France and Belgium but mostly in England. I studied at London University at a special course for foreign academics. Of those travels I wrote “Traveling Light”. The list of my journeys would be incomplete without mentioning what may appear to be a minor point but its influence on me was no less than that of my larger ones. In the summer of 1941 I wanted to stay a couple of weeks in the Old City. I moved to an apartment under some pressure to get closer to my Jewish roots and the Land of Israel (during the days of great despair when the hand of the Nazis threatened also Palestine) influenced me significantly, and here is not the place to dwell on its nature. After my stay within the Old City walls I wrote “Adornments of Jerusalem. I think that these are the visible impressions; the hidden ones – this is not the place.
My first work, a little worthy of the name is my book “Youth” published by “Mitzpeh” Tel–Aviv 1933. Here I must mention Ya'acov Fichman, who was its first reader and he it was who recommended it in writing to the publishers. The second is Asher Barash. I took part in the editing “A Jerusalem anthology of Literature”, (published by Achiasaf in Jerusalem 1942, edited by Israel Zarchi, Ezra Menahem and Haim Toren).
My book “The Oil Flows to the Mediterranean Sea” we will translate into Polish and my book “Micha'eli's Big Day” to Yiddish and Polish (two separate translations); sections of the book “Adornments of Jerusalem” to English; “Shimson the Perfume Marketer” – to Hebrew; more I don't know. I translated Heinrich von Kleists “Michael Kohlhaas” (from the German) and the stories of Josef Konrad and W. Somerset–Maugham from the English.”
Thus far his epistle.
[Page 148]
Already in his younger years Israel Zarchi suffered with serious problems from his lungs and was sent to Miran. His health improved and they hoped that he was out of a danger that had caused concern for his life. He married and had two daughters: Nurit and Michal, and he devoted himself completely with all his being to his blessed talent for writing. These are the books that were published: 1. “Youth”, a novel, published by “Mitzpeh, Tel–Aviv 1933; 2. “Barefoot Days”, a novel, published by “Mitzpeh” 1935; 3. “The Oil Flows to the Mediterranean Sea”, published by “Palestine Book Publishers”, Jerusalem, 1937, second edition, above, 1939; 4. “Journey without Baggage”, (pages from a travelogue), published by “Palestine Book Publishers” , Jerusalem, 1939; 5. “Mount Scopus”, four years from the life of Daniel Geffen, a novel, published by “Achiasaf”, Jerusalem, 1940; 6. “Grandmother's Destroyed House”, a story, published at first by “Achiasaf”, Jerusalem, 1941, (later by “Omer” – the evening newspaper of “Davar”); 7. “Adornments of Jerusalem”, paths in the Old City, , published by “Adi”, Tel–Aviv, 1933; 8. “Blazing Archive”, a cycle of stories, published by “Achiasaf”, Jerusalem, 1933 (these stories were first published in different literary collections); 9. “The Evil Days”, two stories (A. Death of the Doctor; B. The Preacher), published by “Ofer”, Jerusalem, 1948; 10. “An Unsown Land”, a novel, published by “Am Oved”, (“Lador” library) Tel–Aviv, 1946; 11. “The Fathers' Inheritance”, a story, published by Reuven Maas, Jerusalem, 1946; 12. “For What”, a story, published by “Sifriat Hashaot”, Tel–Aviv, 1946; 13. “Kfar Shiloah”, a novel, published by “Am Oved”, (“Lador” library), Tel–Aviv, 1948. Translations: “The Hour of Strength”, W. Somerset–Maugham, 1945 (from the English) and “Stories From the Grapevine”, Joseph Konrad, 1945.
In addition to stories and monographs not included in anthologies of his works, manuscripts, “Records of Meetings and Conversations” which are of the nature of a literary journal, “Machanim” an historical story the first chapter of which was published in “Kama” – the annual of the Foundation Fund of Israel for the year 1948 edited by Natan Bistritzky, and “Michael Kohlhaas” by Heinrich von Kleist, that was translated from the German.
While he was at the peak of success with his literary career, he fell ill with a malignant disease that put an end to his fruitful life. In his monograph, “A Character Portrayal” the literary critic and his best friend Haim Toren, wrote:
“…and fate decided that his life and productivity, which was running parallel to his constant difficult and bitter struggles should end just when all the winds of the world were blowing in his favor and his ship of life plowed towards its target with strength and security. How proud our hearts were when we saw him, four months before his death, crowned with the “Jerusalem Prize” named for David Yellin – we were partners in his joy, his achievements and victories but who could think or expect that such an achievement would be the last station in the chapter of his life? Who could imagine that his beautiful words, heartfelt and considered, coming from his heart – of a man that he gave voice to, and gave witness to his maturity of thought and understanding, were his last utterances, coming from the heart of a man fatally ill and in his last days?
About one hundred and twenty days he struggled with a bitter death. On the morning of Friday 8th of July, 1947 he was released from his agony and taken from us before telling us all that was in his heart…and while his heart was overflowing with sweet dreams of life and his creativity, his pen slipped from his hand in the prime of his success, his flowering, his striving onwards and upwards, cut down one of the pleasant, refreshing stately oaks in the in our literary grove…”
With the end of the thirty–days mourning period, a memorial service was held under the auspices of the Hebrew Writers Society in Jerusalem at which his teacher and mentor Professor Joseph Klausner (Z”L), gave the principle address in memory of the departed. Among other things he said:
[Page 149]
“Israel Zarchi was plucked from our midst at the pinnacle of his flowering, at the moment that his talents gave the final touch to his maturity. During nearly fifteen years (1933 – 1947), he managed to have published in his life, ten major books, apart from many short stories, and apart from a large number that we will publish posthumously. Each book was a rung in the ladder of development, that the book which followed was one step higher on the ladder than its predecessor in its perfection and outlook, speculation and design.
He was my student, a talented and dear student and they are very few who will mourn his untimely passing more than I.
He was one of the first graduates of the University. His thesis was, if I am not mistaken, on “The Hebrew novel during the period of the “Haskala'”; the work made an impression on me and I recommended that it was worthy of publication. It is most certainly to be found as manuscript among Zarchi's papers or the University archives and it is seemly to find it and publish it”
He concluded by saying:
His creations signify new avenues of writing our native Hebrew. Let us collect all his writings in two or three volumes and put them into the hands of our sons and daughters. Thus the soul of our dear Israel Zarchi – as a writer and as a man – will be woven together with his eternal people in its eternal language.”
In 1949 – about two years after the passing of Zarchi, “A Literary Anthology in Memory of Israel Zarchi” published as “Decorations”, edited by his friend Haim Toren, in which acknowledged writers and poets took part, dedicating a work in his memory, appeared. Also published in that volume were a few chapters from Zarchi's diary, a biography of his life, a bibliography of his books and editorial comments published about them and some of his letters.
(...)
 |
| Israel Zarchi (Zerach Gertler) - 1909-1947 |
Israel Zerach Gertler (Z”L), known by his pen–name, “Israel Zarchi”, who in his short life managed to enrich the new Hebrew literature with 13 of his original books and two exemplary books from world literature that he translated into Hebrew, was born in Jędrzejów to one of the respected families.
He was born on 6th October 1909 at the end of the festival of Succoth to his father, Rabbi Shimon Gertler and his wife, Hinda the daughter of Rabbi Zalman Sternfeld, the owner of the Skroniów estate, near Jędrzejów. His mother died a short time after his birth and the orphans – his sisters, Shprintzer (?) and Rosa and he – the youngest – were brought up by their paternal grandmother, Esther Gertler of Miechów–Charsznica. From there he went for training to Grochów, a suburb of Warsaw and from there immigrated to Palestine. In his letter, that he sent to his friend Haim Toren on 7th May 1946, (about a year before his death), in reply to one sent to him concerning Volume three of “Our Beautiful Literature from Bialik Until Today”, are found some interesting insights into his life. This is what he wrote:
“I received a free and liberal education in Polish (until I learned Yiddish from my friends, I was already a young man). At first I studied at a Polish National school and afterwards at the Jewish Gymnasium in Kielce where the teaching language was Polish. In that Gymnasium there was also the possibility of studying in Hebrew but – because I had excellent grades in all my subjects (except Hebrew) – I was exempted from taking part in lessons on Judaism and for many years I knew nothing of our language. When I was 15 or 16, I spent some time in northern Italy (in the Tyrol), in the home of an Ashkenazi family from Vienna, and while there I learned German. I returned from the Tyrol to Poland and there I became awakened to the study of Hebrew, I even went to a village of pioneers – Grochów – near Warsaw that was a Palestinian kibbutz in all essentials, and stayed there for more than a year.
In 1929 I immigrated to Palestine as a pioneer: in the beginning I lived in the huts of the pioneers in Petah Tikvah on public land and worked making the new road from Petah Tikva to Kfar Saba. For personal reasons, I transferred to Kibbutz Givat Hashlosha and stayed there for more than
[Page 147]
a year working mainly in the citrus groves and the cow–sheds and prepared ground for planting citrus saplings for the artist Reuven and his brother. One day I was told that we would have a special planting ceremony in the grove – and the first sapling would be planted by Bialik. I wasn't present at the beginning of the planting – who was I – a young pioneer walking after the cows. Only the following day when I came to work did I find out and I was filled with anger.
When I left Givat Hashlosha I was a “day–worker” in the citrus groves of Kfar Saba; but because at that time the trees didn't bear fruit, in the winter I moved between Petah Tikvah in winter picking oranges and thus I was, for a couple of years a seasonal worker in the citrus groves: in summer in Kfar Saba working in the citrus groves and in the summer picking oranges in Petah Tikva.
At the end of that period I wrote my first story “Youth” and the manuscript wandered around together with me from place to place. Then I moved to Tel–Aviv working on a building in Yehuda Halevi Street and all the horrors that I endured still make my heart flutter to this day. In 1932 I entered – on the recommendation of Bialik – the Hebrew University and my time there is certainly well–known to you. I completed my studies there with my degree in the Humanities in 1938, although it had never been my intention from the start to study just to obtain a certificate, but as my studies progressed there awoke within me the urge to compete and I passed the entrance exams; from that came the impulse to acquire Hebrew.
In 1934 I went to Iraq, losing my way in the desert and forsaken places several times in the near east and as a result of that I wrote “The Oil Flows to the Mediterranean Sea”. In 1938, with the completion of my studies at the University, I was in Europe – Italy, France and Belgium but mostly in England. I studied at London University at a special course for foreign academics. Of those travels I wrote “Traveling Light”. The list of my journeys would be incomplete without mentioning what may appear to be a minor point but its influence on me was no less than that of my larger ones. In the summer of 1941 I wanted to stay a couple of weeks in the Old City. I moved to an apartment under some pressure to get closer to my Jewish roots and the Land of Israel (during the days of great despair when the hand of the Nazis threatened also Palestine) influenced me significantly, and here is not the place to dwell on its nature. After my stay within the Old City walls I wrote “Adornments of Jerusalem. I think that these are the visible impressions; the hidden ones – this is not the place.
My first work, a little worthy of the name is my book “Youth” published by “Mitzpeh” Tel–Aviv 1933. Here I must mention Ya'acov Fichman, who was its first reader and he it was who recommended it in writing to the publishers. The second is Asher Barash. I took part in the editing “A Jerusalem anthology of Literature”, (published by Achiasaf in Jerusalem 1942, edited by Israel Zarchi, Ezra Menahem and Haim Toren).
My book “The Oil Flows to the Mediterranean Sea” we will translate into Polish and my book “Micha'eli's Big Day” to Yiddish and Polish (two separate translations); sections of the book “Adornments of Jerusalem” to English; “Shimson the Perfume Marketer” – to Hebrew; more I don't know. I translated Heinrich von Kleists “Michael Kohlhaas” (from the German) and the stories of Josef Konrad and W. Somerset–Maugham from the English.”
Thus far his epistle.
[Page 148]
Already in his younger years Israel Zarchi suffered with serious problems from his lungs and was sent to Miran. His health improved and they hoped that he was out of a danger that had caused concern for his life. He married and had two daughters: Nurit and Michal, and he devoted himself completely with all his being to his blessed talent for writing. These are the books that were published: 1. “Youth”, a novel, published by “Mitzpeh, Tel–Aviv 1933; 2. “Barefoot Days”, a novel, published by “Mitzpeh” 1935; 3. “The Oil Flows to the Mediterranean Sea”, published by “Palestine Book Publishers”, Jerusalem, 1937, second edition, above, 1939; 4. “Journey without Baggage”, (pages from a travelogue), published by “Palestine Book Publishers” , Jerusalem, 1939; 5. “Mount Scopus”, four years from the life of Daniel Geffen, a novel, published by “Achiasaf”, Jerusalem, 1940; 6. “Grandmother's Destroyed House”, a story, published at first by “Achiasaf”, Jerusalem, 1941, (later by “Omer” – the evening newspaper of “Davar”); 7. “Adornments of Jerusalem”, paths in the Old City, , published by “Adi”, Tel–Aviv, 1933; 8. “Blazing Archive”, a cycle of stories, published by “Achiasaf”, Jerusalem, 1933 (these stories were first published in different literary collections); 9. “The Evil Days”, two stories (A. Death of the Doctor; B. The Preacher), published by “Ofer”, Jerusalem, 1948; 10. “An Unsown Land”, a novel, published by “Am Oved”, (“Lador” library) Tel–Aviv, 1946; 11. “The Fathers' Inheritance”, a story, published by Reuven Maas, Jerusalem, 1946; 12. “For What”, a story, published by “Sifriat Hashaot”, Tel–Aviv, 1946; 13. “Kfar Shiloah”, a novel, published by “Am Oved”, (“Lador” library), Tel–Aviv, 1948. Translations: “The Hour of Strength”, W. Somerset–Maugham, 1945 (from the English) and “Stories From the Grapevine”, Joseph Konrad, 1945.
In addition to stories and monographs not included in anthologies of his works, manuscripts, “Records of Meetings and Conversations” which are of the nature of a literary journal, “Machanim” an historical story the first chapter of which was published in “Kama” – the annual of the Foundation Fund of Israel for the year 1948 edited by Natan Bistritzky, and “Michael Kohlhaas” by Heinrich von Kleist, that was translated from the German.
While he was at the peak of success with his literary career, he fell ill with a malignant disease that put an end to his fruitful life. In his monograph, “A Character Portrayal” the literary critic and his best friend Haim Toren, wrote:
“…and fate decided that his life and productivity, which was running parallel to his constant difficult and bitter struggles should end just when all the winds of the world were blowing in his favor and his ship of life plowed towards its target with strength and security. How proud our hearts were when we saw him, four months before his death, crowned with the “Jerusalem Prize” named for David Yellin – we were partners in his joy, his achievements and victories but who could think or expect that such an achievement would be the last station in the chapter of his life? Who could imagine that his beautiful words, heartfelt and considered, coming from his heart – of a man that he gave voice to, and gave witness to his maturity of thought and understanding, were his last utterances, coming from the heart of a man fatally ill and in his last days?
About one hundred and twenty days he struggled with a bitter death. On the morning of Friday 8th of July, 1947 he was released from his agony and taken from us before telling us all that was in his heart…and while his heart was overflowing with sweet dreams of life and his creativity, his pen slipped from his hand in the prime of his success, his flowering, his striving onwards and upwards, cut down one of the pleasant, refreshing stately oaks in the in our literary grove…”
With the end of the thirty–days mourning period, a memorial service was held under the auspices of the Hebrew Writers Society in Jerusalem at which his teacher and mentor Professor Joseph Klausner (Z”L), gave the principle address in memory of the departed. Among other things he said:
[Page 149]
“Israel Zarchi was plucked from our midst at the pinnacle of his flowering, at the moment that his talents gave the final touch to his maturity. During nearly fifteen years (1933 – 1947), he managed to have published in his life, ten major books, apart from many short stories, and apart from a large number that we will publish posthumously. Each book was a rung in the ladder of development, that the book which followed was one step higher on the ladder than its predecessor in its perfection and outlook, speculation and design.
He was my student, a talented and dear student and they are very few who will mourn his untimely passing more than I.
He was one of the first graduates of the University. His thesis was, if I am not mistaken, on “The Hebrew novel during the period of the “Haskala'”; the work made an impression on me and I recommended that it was worthy of publication. It is most certainly to be found as manuscript among Zarchi's papers or the University archives and it is seemly to find it and publish it”
He concluded by saying:
His creations signify new avenues of writing our native Hebrew. Let us collect all his writings in two or three volumes and put them into the hands of our sons and daughters. Thus the soul of our dear Israel Zarchi – as a writer and as a man – will be woven together with his eternal people in its eternal language.”
In 1949 – about two years after the passing of Zarchi, “A Literary Anthology in Memory of Israel Zarchi” published as “Decorations”, edited by his friend Haim Toren, in which acknowledged writers and poets took part, dedicating a work in his memory, appeared. Also published in that volume were a few chapters from Zarchi's diary, a biography of his life, a bibliography of his books and editorial comments published about them and some of his letters.
(...)
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