Shin Shifra (); is the
pen name
A pen name or nom-de-plume is a pseudonym (or, in some cases, a variant form of a real name) adopted by an author and printed on the title page or by-line of their works in place of their real name.
A pen name may be used to make the author's na ...
of Shifra Shifman Shmuelevitch (1931 – 9 February 2012), a poet, translator, writer, editor and
literary academic. Shifra won multiple literature awards.
Biography
Shin Shifra, the fifth of eight children, was born in
Tel Aviv
Tel Aviv-Yafo ( or , ; ), sometimes rendered as Tel Aviv-Jaffa, and usually referred to as just Tel Aviv, is the most populous city in the Gush Dan metropolitan area of Israel. Located on the Israeli Mediterranean coastline and with a popula ...
and raised in
Bnei Brak
Bnei Brak ( ) or Bene Beraq, is a city located on the central Mediterranean Sea, Mediterranean Israeli coastal plain, coastal plain in Israel, just east of Tel Aviv. A center of Haredi Judaism, Bnei Brak covers an area of 709 hectares (1,752 acre ...
, in a veteran
Jerusalemite
Jerusalem's population size and composition has shifted many times over its 5,000 year history.
Most population data pre-1905 is based on estimates, often from foreign travellers or organisations, since previous census data usually covered w ...
family. Her father was among the first new age Jewish teachers in
The Land of Israel
The Land of Israel () is the traditional Jewish name for an area of the Southern Levant. Related biblical, religious and historical English terms include the Land of Canaan, the Promised Land, the Holy Land, and Palestine. The definitions o ...
. She studied at the Talpiot high school gymnasium for girls in Tel Aviv, and graduated from the Levinsky Seminar for Teachers in Jaffa. In addition, she studied
Kabbalah
Kabbalah or Qabalah ( ; , ; ) is an esoteric method, discipline and school of thought in Jewish mysticism. It forms the foundation of Mysticism, mystical religious interpretations within Judaism. A traditional Kabbalist is called a Mekubbal ...
,
Jewish philosophy
Jewish philosophy () includes all philosophy carried out by Jews or in relation to the religion of Judaism. Until the modern ''Haskalah'' (Jewish Enlightenment) and Jewish emancipation, Jewish philosophy was preoccupied with attempts to reconc ...
,
Hebrew literature
Hebrew literature consists of ancient, medieval, and modern writings in the Hebrew language. It is one of the primary forms of Jewish literature, though there have been cases of literature written in Hebrew by non-Jews, mostly among the Arab cit ...
,
Sumerian and
Akkadian. Her first poems were published in 1953.
Shifra was on the management board of the defunct
voluntary association
A voluntary group or union (also sometimes called a voluntary organization, common-interest association, association, or society) is a group of individuals who enter into an agreement, usually as volunteers, to form a body (or organization) to a ...
"Amanut La’am"; she established "The Center for Arab Children's Literature" in collaboration with The Arab Academic College for Education in Israel – Haifa, under the leadership of
Naim Araidi. She taught creative writing for high school students, and
Ancient Near East
The ancient Near East was home to many cradles of civilization, spanning Mesopotamia, Egypt, Iran (or Persia), Anatolia and the Armenian highlands, the Levant, and the Arabian Peninsula. As such, the fields of ancient Near East studies and Nea ...
literature at the
Tel Aviv University
Tel Aviv University (TAU) is a Public university, public research university in Tel Aviv, Israel. With over 30,000 students, it is the largest university in the country. Located in northwest Tel Aviv, the university is the center of teaching and ...
and the
Levinsky College of Education
In 1964 she married the ex-
Lehi member Matityahu Shmuelevitch.
Shifra Shifman Shmuelevitch died in 2012, at the age of 80, and was buried at the
Yarkon Cemetery alongside her husband.
Her personal archive is kept at the
Gnazim Archive of the
Hebrew Writers Association at the Tel Aviv central public library
Beit Ariela
Beit Ariela Shaar Zion Library is the central public library in Tel Aviv.
History Pre-State
The library was founded in 1886 in Jaffa at the initiative of the "Ezrat Israel" society ("Assistance to Israel") – the organization that helped to estab ...
.
The thread that connects her translation work with many of her other works is the connection to the place (the Land of Israel and the Middle East). According to her, she became interested in the literature of the ancient Middle East as a result of delving into the work of
Nissim Aloni.
This connection was central to the ideology of the group called the Canaanites, and that Shafra was close to her friends, and in particular to Yonatan Ratosh. She testified about him that he edited her first poems, and that she published some of his letters after his death, and to Aharon Amir. She was an editorial board member at the "New Rainbow" association.
Literary works
Shifra's greatest work, done in collaboration with Prof. Jacob Klein of the
Bar-Ilan University
Bar-Ilan University (BIU, , ''Universitat Bar-Ilan'') is a public research university in the Tel Aviv District city of Ramat Gan, Israel. Established in 1955, Bar Ilan is Israel's second-largest academic university institution. It has 20,000 ...
, is the
anthology
In book publishing, an anthology is a collection of literary works chosen by the compiler; it may be a collection of plays, poems, short stories, songs, or related fiction/non-fiction excerpts by different authors. There are also thematic and g ...
of Ancient Near East poetry, on which they spent 15 years in its translation to Hebrew from
Sumerian and
Akkadian. It includes
epic poetry
In poetry, an epic is a lengthy narrative poem typically about the extraordinary deeds of extraordinary characters who, in dealings with gods or other superhuman forces, gave shape to the mortal universe for their descendants. With regard t ...
,
myth
Myth is a genre of folklore consisting primarily of narratives that play a fundamental role in a society. For scholars, this is very different from the vernacular usage of the term "myth" that refers to a belief that is not true. Instead, the ...
s and
song cycle
A song cycle () is a group, or cycle (music), cycle, of individually complete Art song, songs designed to be performed in sequence, as a unit.Susan Youens, ''Grove online''
The songs are either for solo voice or an ensemble, or rarely a combinat ...
s such as the
Epic of Gilgamesh
The ''Epic of Gilgamesh'' () is an epic poetry, epic from ancient Mesopotamia. The literary history of Gilgamesh begins with five Sumerian language, Sumerian poems about Gilgamesh (formerly read as Sumerian "Bilgames"), king of Uruk, some of ...
,
Enûma Eliš and a
Tammuz-
Ishtar
Inanna is the List of Mesopotamian deities, ancient Mesopotamian goddess of war, love, and fertility. She is also associated with political power, divine law, sensuality, and procreation. Originally worshipped in Sumer, she was known by the Akk ...
song cycle.
This translation is quite unique in its coverage of works from the
Ancient Near East
The ancient Near East was home to many cradles of civilization, spanning Mesopotamia, Egypt, Iran (or Persia), Anatolia and the Armenian highlands, the Levant, and the Arabian Peninsula. As such, the fields of ancient Near East studies and Nea ...
, vs. the vast majority of ancient literature translations to Hebrew, that covers works of
Western culture
Western culture, also known as Western civilization, European civilization, Occidental culture, Western society, or simply the West, refers to the Cultural heritage, internally diverse culture of the Western world. The term "Western" encompas ...
. The translation reveals the common base of the ancient near east mythology and the
Genesis creation narrative
The Genesis creation narrative is the creation myth of both Judaism and Christianity, told in the book of Genesis chapters 1 and 2. While the Jewish and Christian tradition is that the account is one comprehensive story, modern scholars of ...
and
flood narrative
A flood myth or a deluge myth is a myth in which a great flood, usually sent by a deity or deities, destroys civilization, often in an act of divine retribution. Parallels are often drawn between the flood waters of these myths and the primeval ...
, and brings to light a unique feminine narrative.
In her last years, Shifra published adaptations for children and young adults of the Sumerian and Akkadian cultural heritage. In "The Epic of Gilgamesh", she chose to present the stories of the myths via a fictitious Assyrian narrator, Kerdi-Nergal, who recites tales to
King Ashurbanipal.
The common thread connecting Shifra's translations and many of her other works is the geographical location affinity linking the Land of Israel to the Middle East. She recalled that her initial interest in the literature of the Ancient Near East was sparked by her delving into the works of
Nisim Aloni
Nissim Aloni (;) Nissim Aloni (Levy) was born on the 14th of Elul, 5686 (August 24, 1926), in the Wolfson neighborhood of Tel Aviv, to a family of Bulgarian descent. He studied at the "Ahad Ha’am" and "Geula" schools. After the War of Independen ...
. This connection was central to the ideology of the
Canaanism
Canaanism was a cultural and ideological movement founded in 1939, reaching its peak among the Jews of Mandatory Palestine during the 1940s. It has had a significant effect on the course of Israeli art, literature and spiritual and political t ...
movement, with whose members she was closely associated, especially to
Yonatan Ratosh and
Aharon Amir. Shifra attested that Ratosh had edited her early poems. Shifra was also on the editorial team of Ratosh's periodical "The New Keshet".
Shifra's poetry was translated into several languages, and her original works and translations were published in periodicals and literary supplements.
Works
Translations
''In Those Far Days'' – an anthology of Sumerian and Akkadian poetry, translated into Hebrew by Shifra and Prof. Jacob Klein, published in 1996 by
Am Oved
Am Oved ("A Working People") is an Israeli publishing house.
History
Am Oved was founded in 1942 by Berl Katznelson, who was its first editor in chief. It was created as an organ of the Histadrut, Israel's federation of Labor, with a goal of publ ...
and The Israeli Center for Libraries' project for translating Exemplary Literature to Hebrew.
Poetry
Poetry books published in Hebrew:
''A Womanʹs Song'', Machbarot Lesifrut, 1962
hir Isha
''The Next Step'', Machbarot Lesifrut, 1968
a-Tzaʹad Ha-Ba
''Desert Poems'', Hakibbutz Hameuchad, 1972
hirei Midbar
''Drimias Memorial Candles (Poems 1973–1985)'', Am Oved, 1987
atzavim Nerot Neshama
''A Woman Who Practices How to Live'', Zmora-Bitan, 2001
sha She-Mitʹamenet Be-Lichyot: Shirim 1986–1999
''Whispering Silk'', Zmora-Bitan, 2007
eshi Lachashta Li
Prose
Prose Books published in Hebrew:
Adult's Books
''The Sand Street (stories)'', Hakibbutz Hameuchad/ Yedioth Ahronoth, 1994
ehov Ha-Hol
''Woman Is Just an Arena (stories)'', Hakibbutz Hameuchad, 2012
sha Hi Rak Zira
Children and Young Adults
''The Epic of Gilgamesh (young adults)'', Am Oved, 2000
lilot Gilgamesh
''The Tales of Anzu the Great Eagle (children)'', Am Oved, 2009
lilot Anzu Ha-Nesher Ha-Gadol
''The Descend of Ishtar to the Underworld (young adults)'', Am Oved, 2012
lilot Inanna-Ishtar Ba-Shʹol
Non-fiction
Non-fiction books published in Hebrew:
* ''From the Oven to the Pool (non-fiction)'', Sifriat Proza Meida, 1982
ein Tanur Li-Vreicha* ''From Ancient Stories to Kings and Prophets (non-fiction)'', Am Oved, 2003
e-Alilot Reshit Ad Melachim U-NeviʹimThis is a text book for high school students.
* ''Words as Magic and the Magic in Words (non-fiction)'', Ministry of Defense, 2008
a-Milim Ke-Chishuf, Ve-Ha-Kishuf She-Ba-MilimThese are transcriptions of Shifra's discourses on literature of the Ancient Near East, first broadcast as a "University on the Air" course on the Israeli
Army Radio
Israeli Army Radio ( lit. IDF waves) or Galei Tzahal, known in Israel by its acronym Galatz (), is a nationwide state funded Israeli radio network operated by the Israel Defense Forces. The station broadcasts news, music, traffic reports and educa ...
.
Editing
''Jewish Literature in the Hebrew Language'' – by Yonatan Ratosh; introduction, notes and references by Shin Shifra, Hadar 1982
''The Beginning Days'' – by Yonatan Ratosh; edited by Shin Shifra, Hadar 1982
Works set to music
*
Gil Shohat
Gil Shohat (; born 7 September 1973) is an Israeli classical music composer, Conducting, conductor, pianist and lecturer.
Biography
Gil Shohat was born in Tel Aviv. His mother is ''Ha'aretz'' theatre critic Tzipora (Tzipi) Shohat. He grew up in Ra ...
, ''Michal'' ''–'' a song cycle for
Soprano
A soprano () is a type of classical singing voice and has the highest vocal range of all voice types. The soprano's vocal range (using scientific pitch notation) is from approximately middle C (C4) = 261 Hertz, Hz to A5 in Choir, choral ...
and
chamber orchestra
Chamber music is a form of classical music that is composed for a small group of Musical instrument, instruments—traditionally a group that could fit in a Great chamber, palace chamber or a large room. Most broadly, it includes any art music ...
.
* Gil Shohat, ''Bathsheba'' – an
oratorio
An oratorio () is a musical composition with dramatic or narrative text for choir, soloists and orchestra or other ensemble.
Similar to opera, an oratorio includes the use of a choir, soloists, an instrumental ensemble, various distinguisha ...
(premiered on 23 April 2005 in
Milwaukee
Milwaukee is the List of cities in Wisconsin, most populous city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. Located on the western shore of Lake Michigan, it is the List of United States cities by population, 31st-most populous city in the United States ...
, United States).
* Gil Shohat, ''A Mother and Son'' – a
fantasia in two parts for Children's
choir
A choir ( ), also known as a chorale or chorus (from Latin ''chorus'', meaning 'a dance in a circle') is a musical ensemble of singers. Choral music, in turn, is the music written specifically for such an ensemble to perform or in other words ...
and percussion.
*
Sara shoham, ''Mother of Mercy'' ''–'' for choir, written for the
Li-Ron Choir.
*
Hagar Kadima, ''A Waltz to She Who Binds Her Soul to Love'' – for soprano,
clarinet
The clarinet is a Single-reed instrument, single-reed musical instrument in the woodwind family, with a nearly cylindrical bore (wind instruments), bore and a flared bell.
Clarinets comprise a Family (musical instruments), family of instrume ...
, violin, cello and piano.
*
Haim Rachmani, ''Simple'' – sung by Talia Eliav, from her album "Kod HaZikaron" (the memorial code).
*
Haim Tukachinsky, a song cycle for voice and piano, composed in 2008.
Awards
* 1987, 1989, 1997 –
Prime Minister's Award
* 1992 – the
Society of Authors, Composers and Music Publishers in Israel
The Society of Authors, Composers and Music Publishers in Israel (), known by the acronym ACUM (), is a non-profit copyright collective which engages in collective rights management for authors, poets, lyricists, composers, arrangers, and music p ...
prize, for the anthology "The Road of Sand" (רחוב החול).
* 1997 – the Leah Goldberg prize, also for "The Road of Sand".
* 1998 – the
Tchernichovsky Prize for translation, for "In Those Far Days".
* 2001 – the Yehuda Amichai poetry prize, for "A Woman Who Practices How to Live".
* 2001 – the Zeev Prize for Children and Young Adult Literature, for "The Epic of Gilgamesh (young adults)".
* 2002 – an honorary citation from the
International Board on Books for Young People
International is an adjective (also used as a noun) meaning "between nations".
International may also refer to:
Music Albums
* ''International'' (Kevin Michael album), 2011
* ''International'' (New Order album), 2002
* ''International'' (The T ...
, also for "The Epic of Gilgamesh (young adults)".
* 2004 – President's Prize for Literature (Israel), for her life works.
* 2007 – the
Brenner Prize
The Brenner Prize is an Israeli literary prize awarded annually by the Hebrew Writers Association in Israel and the Haft Family Foundation. It recognizes and honors Hebrew literature
Hebrew literature consists of ancient, medieval, and modern w ...
, for her life works.
* 2010 –
The EMET Prize for Art, Science and Culture
The EMET Prize for Art, Science and Culture is an Israeli prize awarded annually for excellence in academic and professional achievements that have far-reaching influence and make a significant contribution to society.
Prizes are awarded in the fo ...
Pseudonyms
Shifra published an article titled "No Intercourse, and With No Delight – on the Problem of the Alien Lover in Israeli Literature" in the May 1972 edition of the periodical "Aleph", under the
pseudonym
A pseudonym (; ) or alias () is a fictitious name that a person assumes for a particular purpose, which differs from their original or true meaning ( orthonym). This also differs from a new name that entirely or legally replaces an individual's o ...
"Yosef Dotan".
Further reading
Shin Shifra, "In the Meadow in the Soft Grass", in "Whence did I Inherit my Poetry – writers and poets on their sources of inspiration", edited by Ruth Kartun-Blum, Yedioth Ahronoth Books, 2002, pp. 129–147
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Shifra, Shin
Sumer
Assyriologists
Academic staff of Tel Aviv University
EMET Prize recipients
Brenner Prize recipients
Hebrew-language writers
Israeli women poets
Israeli poets
Translators to Hebrew
Burials at Yarkon Cemetery
1931 births
2012 deaths
20th-century Israeli translators