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Uriel Ofek facts for kids

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Uriel Ofek (Hebrew: אוריאל אופק; born June 30, 1926, in Tel Aviv – died January 23, 1987) was a famous Israeli writer for children. He was also an editor, wrote song lyrics, poems, and translated many books. He was a scholar who studied literature.

About Uriel Ofek

Uriel Ofek was born in Tel Aviv. His father, Arie Popik, was a Yiddish poet. Uriel grew up in Giv'atayim and went to school at Herzliya Hebrew Gymnasium. From 1944 to 1949, he served as a medic in the Palmach Brigades, which was a military group. He was part of the 1947–1949 Palestine war and was held captive by Jordanian forces for about nine months.

Uriel Ofek worked for many years as the editor of Davar L'iladim. This was a children's newspaper that came out with the main newspaper, Davar. He also helped create a huge list of books for Jewish children, both in Hebrew and Yiddish. This list included children's books from all over the world.

He earned a special degree, called a doctorate, in children's literature from the University of Toronto.

Many of Uriel Ofek's books are based on things he experienced when he was a child and teenager. He grew up in the Borochov neighborhood in Giv'atayim. His stories often describe places, events, and people from the time before Israel became a country. For example, he wrote about the Slick of Aldema, battles in Wadi Musrara, and the Seven Mills along the Yarkon river.

Uriel Ofek's wife, Bina Ofek, and his two daughters, Atara Ofek and Amira Hachamowitz, are also writers and editors for children. Uriel Ofek passed away in 1987 when he was 61 years old.

Awards and Recognition

Uriel Ofek received several important awards for his writing:

  • In 1965, he won the Lamdan Prize for children's and youth literature. He received this award for his book "Robinson to Lubengulu".
  • In 1976, he won the Zeev Prize for literature for children and youth. This award was for his book "No secrets in the neighborhood".

Books by Uriel Ofek

Stories for Children and Teens

  • "The Show Must Go On" (This book was translated into English, German, Danish, and Dutch)
  • "Smoke Over Golan" (This book was translated into English, German, Danish, Dutch, and Afrikaans)
  • "Five minutes of fear"
  • "Stars on the border"
  • "Story Time"
  • "No secrets in the neighborhood"
  • "Seven mills and a station"
  • "Steps in the sand"
  • "Deer Hill"
  • "My Great Raid"
  • "Robinson to Lubengulu"
  • "Snow white to Emil"
  • "Tarzan and Hasamba"
  • "Give them books"

Translated Books

Uriel Ofek also translated many famous books into Hebrew, so more children could read them:

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