Barbara Elefant-Raiskin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Barbara Elefant-Raiskin
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| Born | October 11, 1930 Mukachevo, Czechoslovakia |
| Died | June 18, 2013 |
| Occupation | University lecturer, author, artist |
| Citizenship | Czechoslovakia, United States of America, Israel |
| Genre | Poetry, children's books, educational textbooks |
| Spouse | Max D. Raiskin |
| Children | 8 |
Barbara Elefant-Raiskin (born October 11, 1930 – died June 18, 2013) was an amazing person who did many things! She was a teacher, a university professor, a poet, an artist, and she wrote books for kids and textbooks for students. She was Jewish and lived in America and Israel.
Contents
Barbara's Early Life and Journey
Barbara was born in a town called Mukachevo in 1930. This town was part of Czechoslovakia back then. Her parents were Joseph-Meir and Sarah Elefant. Her father was an Orthodox Rabbi and also a teacher.
In 1936, her family moved to Ada, Serbia. While they were there, their home country was taken over by another country. This meant they lost their citizenship. Luckily, her family was able to move to the United States in 1939. This was just before World War II started.
On their way to the U.S., they stayed in England for a few months. While in Liverpool, something special happened. Barbara fell asleep on a suitcase. A famous photographer named John Albok took her picture. This photo of a young refugee child sleeping on her luggage was printed in local newspapers and Jewish newspapers in the U.S.
Education and Teaching Career
Barbara loved learning! She graduated from Brooklyn College and NYU. She earned many degrees in subjects like Education, Judaism, History, Art, and Psychology.
She started her career as a kindergarten teacher at several Jewish schools. Her last kindergarten job was at the East Side Hebrew Institute. In 1957, she married Rabbi Max D. Raiskin. After that, she began teaching history in high schools. She also continued to supervise the kindergarten at the East Side Hebrew Institute.
Barbara took some time off to raise her eight children and finish her doctorate degree. In the 1970s, she moved to Israel. There, she started teaching at Tel Aviv University. She was a lecturer there for almost 25 years! She even wrote two textbooks for the university students.
Books by Barbara Elefant-Raiskin
Barbara Elefant-Raiskin wrote many different kinds of books. She wrote poetry, textbooks, and especially books for children. Here are some of her works:
- English Conversation Through Literature: This was a textbook for university students.
- Velvety Blackness: A collection of her poems and paintings.
- About the Wind: An illustrated children's book written in English.
- A Visit to The Pet Shop: Another illustrated children's book in English.
- A Discussion About God: An illustrated children's book in English.
- Jaffa's Little Red-Striped Lighthouse: An illustrated children's book in English.
- Ma Osa HaRuach?: An illustrated children's book written in Hebrew.
- Habikur Shel Gan Hayeladim Bachanut Lechayot Machmad: An illustrated children's book written in Hebrew.
- Post Datal Depression: A book that Barbara helped illustrate.
- Geva Eino Ro'e Kol Tzeva: A book that Barbara helped illustrate.
- Sahar Hu Bachur Saharuri: A book that Barbara helped illustrate.
Awards and Recognition
Barbara Elefant-Raiskin received special awards for her contributions:
- Mother of the Year 1979: This was an award given by the city of Tel Aviv.
- Woman of Valor Award 1998: This award recognized her strength and achievements.
