In a land where poets are still more likely than pop stars to be known by one name only, “Leah” is no exception. Across Israel, but especially in Jerusalem, Leah Goldberg is considered the doyenne of children’s literature, and is also known for her vast works of poetry, songs, plays and literary criticism. 2011 marks the 100th anniversary of Goldberg’s birth, and events are being held at a variety of venues celebrasting Leah’s cultural impact with concerts, readings and performances.
At Tmol Shilshom, Jerusalem’s most literary of cafes, named for a S.Y. Agnon book that is itself named for a biblical phrase, October 4th sees three musicians take the stage to play some of Leah’s tunes, explore her life story and
generally celebrate the country’s Mother Goose and Emily Dickinson
rolled into one.
generally celebrate the country’s Mother Goose and Emily Dickinson
rolled into one.
Hebrew Book Week, held earlier this year, held a number of events in her honor, including a creative workshop for kids inspired by her stories at Beit Avi Chai and a performance of her Apartment for Rent at the Malcha Mall. In January, Leah’s works were included in a concert exploring ther intersection of song and poetry by contemprary literary-minded singer-songwriter Rona Kenan, and later this October, Paytan Maimon Cohen and the Shem Tov Levi ensemble are scheduled to include her works in a show exploring Jewish verse through the ages, with texts by Leah juxtaposed with those by Rabbi Abraham ibn Ezra, the Spanish thinker from the Middle Ages.
Though Goldberg lived much of her life in Tel Aviv, she relocated to the
capital in the early 1950s and became a familiar face in Jerusalem’s
burgeoning literary scene and taught at Hebrew University, where she
also chared the Comparitive Literature department. She passed away in
Jerusalem in 1970 at the age of 58.
capital in the early 1950s and became a familiar face in Jerusalem’s
burgeoning literary scene and taught at Hebrew University, where she
also chared the Comparitive Literature department. She passed away in
Jerusalem in 1970 at the age of 58.
The Tmol Shilshom tribute program is centered around three musicians – Eytan Dror (pictured), who is also organizing the event, Sandra Cernes and Elad David – interpreting Leah’s songs. Dror, who just released his second album, Herzl Amar (literally, “Herzl Said,” but also the name if Israel’s “Simon Says”), is also scheduled to play some of his original arrangements of Leah’s songs and in between telling Leah’s life story.
Dror, whose own work is heavily influenced by Leah, says her allure is nearly universal. “She gets to the heart of many people,” he tells GoJerusalem.com. To Dror, Leah’s words still resonate today, as evidenced the place she still occupies in the Israeli cultural landscape. “It’s been 40 years since she died, and yet her poetry is still on the radio,” he says. “If I go into a book store, I see Leah’s books, written 60 years ago, are still displayed on the shelves.”
Dror says that Tmol Shilshom’s Leah tribute night is primed to set itself apart from the many others taking place throughout 2011 thanks to its approach, whereby her works of prose and song are presented in a cohesive program. He also sees the venue, a landmark center of literature, music and Jerusalem’s thriving café culture, as being perfect for such an event. “If I was going to invite her to come to a show [of mine], it would be at Tmol Shilshom,” says Dror with pride.
