Rivka Keren (born 1946) is an Israeli writer.

Biography

Rivka Keren was born as Katalin Friedländer in

Debrecen Debrecen ( , is Hungary's second-largest city, after Budapest, the regional centre of the Northern Great Plain region and the seat of Hajdú-Bihar County. A city with county rights, it was the largest Hungarian city in the 18th century and i ...

Hungary Hungary ( hu, Magyarország ) is a landlocked country in Central Europe. Spanning of the Carpathian Basin, it is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine to the northeast, Romania to the east and southeast, Serbia to the south, Croatia a ...

. She

immigrated Immigration is the international movement of people to a destination country of which they are not natives or where they do not possess citizenship in order to settle as permanent residents or naturalized citizens. Commuters, tourists, and ...

with her parents and small brother to

Israel Israel (; he, יִשְׂרָאֵל, ; ar, إِسْرَائِيل, ), officially the State of Israel ( he, מְדִינַת יִשְׂרָאֵל, label=none, translit=Medīnat Yīsrāʾēl; ), is a country in Western Asia. It is situated ...

in 1957. She has been writing since childhood, first in Hungarian, later in

Hebrew Hebrew (; ; ) is a Northwest Semitic language of the Afroasiatic language family. Historically, it is one of the spoken languages of the Israelites and their longest-surviving descendants, the Jews and Samaritans. It was largely preserved ...

. Studied

painting Painting is the practice of applying paint, pigment, color or other medium to a solid surface (called the "matrix" or "support"). The medium is commonly applied to the base with a brush, but other implements, such as knives, sponges, and ...

Jerusalem Jerusalem (; he, יְרוּשָׁלַיִם ; ar, القُدس ) (combining the Biblical and common usage Arabic names); grc, Ἱερουσαλήμ/Ἰεροσόλυμα, Hierousalḗm/Hierosóluma; hy, Երուսաղեմ, Erusałēm. i ...

and

New York City New York, often called New York City or NYC, is the List of United States cities by population, most populous city in the United States. With a 2020 population of 8,804,190 distributed over , New York City is also the L ...

philosophy Philosophy (from , ) is the systematized study of general and fundamental questions, such as those about existence, reason, knowledge, values, mind, and language. Such questions are often posed as problems to be studied or resolved. Some ...

literature Literature is any collection of written work, but it is also used more narrowly for writings specifically considered to be an art form, especially prose fiction, drama, and poetry. In recent centuries, the definition has expanded to include ...

and

psychology Psychology is the scientific study of mind and behavior. Psychology includes the study of conscious and unconscious phenomena, including feelings and thoughts. It is an academic discipline of immense scope, crossing the boundaries betwe ...

Bar Ilan University Bar-Ilan University (BIU, he, אוניברסיטת בר-אילן, ''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 i ...

, graduated in

Tel Aviv University Tel Aviv University (TAU) ( he, אוּנִיבֶרְסִיטַת תֵּל אָבִיב, ''Universitat Tel Aviv'') is a public research university in Tel Aviv, Israel. With over 30,000 students, it is the largest university in the country. Locate ...

( MA,

clinical psychology Clinical psychology is an integration of social science, theory, and clinical knowledge for the purpose of understanding, preventing, and relieving psychologically based distress or dysfunction and to promote subjective well-being and persona ...

). Keren has worked as a

librarian A librarian is a person who works professionally in a library providing access to information, and sometimes social or technical programming, or instruction on information literacy to users. The role of the librarian has changed much over time, ...

art therapist Art therapy (not to be confused with ''arts therapy'', which includes other creative therapies such as drama therapy and music therapy) is a distinct discipline that incorporates creative methods of expression through visual art media. Art ther ...

and clinical psychologist. Exhibited her paintings in various countries. During these years, she had published books for children, adolescents, novels, short stories, translations and was included in numerous

anthologies In book publishing Publishing is the activity of making information, literature, music, software and other content available to the public for sale or for free. Traditionally, the term refers to the creation and distribution of printed work ...

. Some of her books and short stories had been translated to German, English, Spanish,

Russian Russian(s) refers to anything related to Russia, including: *Russians (, ''russkiye''), an ethnic group of the East Slavic peoples, primarily living in Russia and neighboring countries *Rossiyane (), Russian language term for all citizens and peo ...

, Hungarian,

Braille Braille (Pronounced: ) is a tactile writing system used by people who are visually impaired, including people who are Blindness, blind, Deafblindness, deafblind or who have low vision. It can be read either on Paper embossing, embossed paper ...

(for the blind) and recorded on disks. Keren is a member of

PEN A pen is a common writing instrument that applies ink to a surface, usually paper, for writing or drawing. Early pens such as reed pens, quill pens, dip pens and ruling pens held a small amount of ink on a nib or in a small void or cavity whic ...

, ACUM, and IPA. She is married with two children.

Literary work

Rivka Keren published so far fourteen books and four additional books are due to be published soon. Her work is dealing mostly with subject matters such as

destiny Destiny, sometimes referred to as fate (from Latin ''fatum'' "decree, prediction, destiny, fate"), is a predetermined course of events. It may be conceived as a predetermined future, whether in general or of an individual. Fate Although often ...

memory Memory is the faculty of the mind by which data or information is encoded, stored, and retrieved when needed. It is the retention of information over time for the purpose of influencing future action. If past events could not be remembered, ...

identity Identity may refer to: * Identity document * Identity (philosophy) * Identity (social science) * Identity (mathematics) Arts and entertainment Film and television * ''Identity'' (1987 film), an Iranian film * ''Identity'' (2003 film), ...

, the mystery of love and evil and the dualism of

immigrants Immigration is the international movement of people to a destination country of which they are not natives or where they do not possess citizenship in order to settle as permanent residents or naturalized citizens. Commuters, tourists, and ...

. Keren's writing is multi-layered and non-linear. The characters wander in a limbo between good and bad, love and hate, sanity and madness, while their state of mind meticulously analyzed. Their quests for belonging, roots and most of all truth and purpose, carry them to their goals through suffering and harsh experiences. Those of the novels that examine the characters against the black hole of the

Holocaust The Holocaust, also known as the Shoah, was the genocide of European Jews during World War II. Between 1941 and 1945, Nazi Germany and its collaborators systematically murdered some six million Jews across German-occupied Europe; a ...

were

bestseller A bestseller is a book or other media noted for its top selling status, with bestseller lists published by newspapers, magazines, and book store chains. Some lists are broken down into classifications and specialties (novel, nonfiction book, cookb ...

s and subject to much controversy among critics. In her writings, Rivka Keren, as second generation to

Holocaust survivors Holocaust survivors are people who survived the Holocaust, defined as the persecution and attempted annihilation of the Jews by Nazi Germany and Axis powers, its allies before and during World War II in Europe and North Africa. There is no unive ...

, is representing the ongoing turmoil and conflict in the existence of immigrants, their pain and alienation but also their absorption and success. Her novels are a study of the human nature, the destructiveness of evil and revenge and the power of hope and love.

List of books

* ''Outrage'', novel, Agam Publishing House, Hanamal series, 2010. (in Hebrew) * ''

Mortal Love Mortal Love was a Norwegian metal band from the city of Elverum, formed in 2000. Their sound made combined use of soprano and tenor vocals, whilst placing emphasis on a consistent rhythm section with heavy guitars, piano and synthesizer melodi ...

'', 2008 (in English) * ''Tita and the Satan'' (Tita ve ha Satan) – novel, Hakibutz Hameuchad, Hasifria Hachadasha Series, Tel Aviv, 1995 * ''Anatomy of a Revenge'' (Anatomia shel Nekama) – novel, Am Oved, Sifria Laam Series, Tel Aviv, 1993 * ''Mortal Love'' (Ahava Anusha) – novel, Am Oved, Sifria Laam Series, Tel Aviv, 1992 * ''The Taste of Honey'' (Ta'am ha Dvash) – novel, Am Oved, Sifria Laam Series, Tel Aviv, 1990 * ''Sad Summer, Happy Summer'' (Kaitz Atzuv, Kaitz Meushar) – novel for adolescents, Shoken, Tel Aviv, 1986 * ''The Story of the Patriarchs'' (Sipurey ha Avot) – 4 books and audio cassettes for young children, Masada, Tel Aviv, 1982 * ''Nufar, the Story of a Seagull'' (Nufar, Sipura shel Schafit Yam) –children's book, Masada, 1981 * ''The Journey of the Dwarfs Tik and Tak'' (Hamasa shel Tik ve Tak) – small children's book, Masada, 1980 * ''Wild Lili'' (Lili Ha Prua) – diary in letters for adolescents, illustrated by the author, Sifriat Poalim, Tel Aviv, 1978 * ''Kati, a Young Girl's Diary'' (Kati, Yomana shel Neara) –

biographical novel The biographical novel is a genre of novel which provides a fictional account of a contemporary or historical person's life. Like other forms of biographical fiction, details are often trimmed or reimagined to meet the artistic needs of the fiction ...

for adolescents, Am Oved, Tel Aviv, 1973 * ''Ruthi Shmuti'' (Ruti Shmuti) – novel + short stories for adolescents, Masada, Tel Aviv, 1970

Translated books

* Katalin – Ungarisches Tagebuch, Deutsch von Mirjam Pressler, Verlag St. Gabriel, Mödling-Wien, 1996 (Hardcover) * Katalin, Beltz Verlag, Gulliver Taschenbuch 391, Weinheim und Basel, 1999 (Paperback) * Bittersüßer Sommer, aus dem Hebräischen von Mirjam Pressler, Gabriel Verlag GmbH, Wien, 1999 (Hardcover) * Bittersüßer Sommer, Beltz Verlag, Gulliver Taschenbuch 859, Weinheim und Basel, 2001 (Paperback) * Anatomie einer Rache, aus dem Hebräischen von Helene Seidler, Bleicher Verlag GmbH, Gerlingen, 2001 (Hardcover) * Der Geschmack von Honig, aus dem Hebräischen von Helene Seidler, Haland&Wirth im Psychosozial-Verlag, Gießen, 2004 (Hardcover) * Liebe wie der Tod, aus dem Hebräischen von Helene Seidler (Planned to be published) * Mortal Love, translated from Hebrew by Yael Politis, YWO, UK, 2009

Some of the translated stories

* Rivka Keren, "Aisha", translated from the Hebrew by Maayan Keren, Anthology "Pain and Memory", Editions Bibliotekos Inc., November 2009 * Rivka Keren, "Kiribiri", translated from the Hebrew by Maayan Keren, Anthology "Pain and Memory", Editions Bibliotekos Inc., November 2009 * Rivka Keren, "Islamorada", translated from the Hebrew by Dalit Shmueli, Anthology "Common Boundary", Editions Bibliotekos Inc., June 2010 * Rivka Keren, They Set Sail in the Springtime", excerpt from the novel "Mortal Love", translated from the Hebrew by Yael Politis, Anthology "Common Boundary", Editions Bibliotekos Inc., June 2010 * Rivka Keren "1939", poem translated from the Hebrew by Yael Politis & "Farewell", painting by Rivka Keren, Autumnskypoetry, October 2009, Issue 15. * Rivka Keren, "Zipora", excerpt from the novel "Mortal Love", translated from the Hebrew by Yael Politis, Anthology "Puzzles of Faith and Patterns of Doubt", Editions Bibliotekos Inc., January 2013

Literary awards

* 2000 – The Austrian Government Honorable Award for Youth & Children Literature, Austria * 1995 – for literature awarded by the Municipality of

Holon Holon ( he, חוֹלוֹן ) is a city on the central coastal strip of Israel, south of Tel Aviv. Holon is part of the metropolitan Gush Dan area. In it had a population of . Holon has the second-largest industrial zone in Israel, after Haifa. ...

, Israel * 1986 – Zeev Award for Children Literature, Israel * 1976 – Ramat-Gan Award for Literature, Israel * 1975 – Lamdan Prize for Children and Youth Literature, Israel * 1974 – Nordau Award for Literature, Israel * 1972 – Keren Hayesod Award for Literature, Israel * 1970 – Honorable Mention of the jury of the Yatziv Literary Award, Israel

Additional sources

* Ruth Seif: Review of the novel "Mortal Love" by Rivka Keren. Jewish Book World, Winter Issue 2009, Page 33. * Helene Conrady, Bilder von Rebecca Keren, "Feine Damen im Olivenhain", NRZ, Zeitung für Düsseldorf, 21 März, 1985 * Jeff Green, "Lost Hungarian Soul", Jerusalem Post Magazine, 4.2.1993 * Jeff Green, "Anatomy of a Revenge", Jerusalem Post, 29.10.1994 * Jeff Green "Tita and the Satan", Jerusalem Post, 22.12.1995 * Hillel Halkin, "The Taste of Honey", The Jerusalem Report Weekly, 6.12.1990 * Philip Harrigan/Jean Etsinger, "Book beat", about St Thomas author and artist from Israel, Rivka Keren, The Daily News, St * Thomas, USVI, November 18, 1987 * Phillip Harrigan, "Sense of Mystery and wistfulness lie in Pictures from Jerusalem", about the art exhibition of Israeli artist Rivka Keren, The Daily News, November 22, 1986 * Ronit Lentin, Israel and the daughters of the Shoah – Reoccupying the Territories of Silence, Berghahn Books, 2000 *

Efraim Sicher Efraim Sicher is an Israeli literary scholar. He obtained his PhD at Oxford University and taught at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev until his retirement in 2022. Among his investigations of narrative and memory, he has written on modern Jewis ...

, The Holocaust Novel (Genres in Context), Routledge, 2005 * "Childhood memories behind Rivka's novel", Jewish Telegraph, Arts and entertainment, Friday, March 13, 2009, page 32

External links

Homepage of Rivka Keren in the website of The Israeli Institute for the Translation of Hebrew Literature
* Rivka Keren
Islamorada
translated from the Hebrew by Dalit Shmueli, Words Without Borders, June 2010
Poems of Rivka Keren

Rivka Keren in the Lexicon of Modern Hebrew Literature

Editions Bibliotekos - Brooklyn, N.Y. June 22, 2010
Rivka Keren “What have I done after all…” Short story (Hebrew)
* Yotam Shwimmer

ynet Ynet (stylized as ynet) is one of the major Israeli news and general-content websites, and is the online outlet for the '' Yedioth Ahronot'' newspaper. However, most of Ynet's content is original work, published exclusively on the website and wri ...

, 09.10.10 (Hebrew) * Rivka Keren
Hebrew Fiction / Seeing voices

Haaretz ''Haaretz'' ( , originally ''Ḥadshot Haaretz'' – , ) is an Israeli newspaper. It was founded in 1918, making it the longest running newspaper currently in print in Israel, and is now published in both Hebrew and English in the Berliner f ...

, 08.10.10 * Rivka Keren
I Miss Jerusalem
thewriterseye.com, October 4, 2010 {{DEFAULTSORT:Keren, Rivka 1946 births Israeli Jews Israeli children's writers Israeli novelists Living people Jewish novelists Israeli people of Hungarian-Jewish descent Hungarian Jews Hebrew-language writers Israeli women children's writers Israeli women novelists Tel Aviv University alumni Bar-Ilan University alumni Hungarian emigrants to Israel 20th-century Hungarian women writers 21st-century Hungarian women writers 20th-century Israeli women writers 21st-century Israeli women writers People from Debrecen Israeli librarians Women librarians Israeli women painters Israeli painters