Hillel Omer

Hillel Omer (1926 – 1990) ( _he. הלל עומר) was an Israeli poet and writer who wrote under the pen name Ayin Hillel (the letter ayin being the initial of his surname).Fact|date=March 2008 He is remembered primarily for his poems for children, which have become staples of the Israeli nursery.

Omer was born in kibbutz Mishmar ha-Emek in the Valley of Jezreel. His father changed his surname Kotovitz to Ogni (עוגני). Later Hillel Ogni took his pen name Omer. He fought in the Palmakh during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. From 1954 to 1969 he was a chief landscape designer of Jerusalem.

His most famous poem, "Hanesher" ("The Eagle"), is written in Biblical Hebrew, but expresses the doubts and disillusions of the twentieth century.

Bibliography

Omer's works were translated into English, French, German, Greek, Hungarian, Spanish, and Russian.

Books published in Hebrew: [ [http://www.ithl.org.il/author_info.asp?id=121 Ayin Hillel] at the Institute for the Translation of Hebrew Literature, accessed October 6, 2007.]

Poetry

* The Noon Country, Sifriat Poalim, 1950 [Eretz Ha-Tzohorayim]
* Nisra, The Author, 1962 [Nisra]
* Hunting Madness, Am Oved, 1964 [Teruf Toref]
* Eulogy, Hakibbutz Hameuchad, 1973 [Hodayah]
* Speak, Hakibbutz Hameuchad, 1980 [Dabri]
* Joseph and Potiphar's Wife, Hakibbutz Hameuchad, 1982 [Yossef Ve-Eshet Potifar]
* Until Now, Hakibbutz Hameuchad, 1983 [Ad Co]
* Blue and Thorns, Sifriat Poalim, 1987 [Tchelet Ve-Kotzim]
* Holon's Fables, Sifriat Poalim, 1991 [Mishlei Holon]

Children's books

* Why Does the Zebra Wear Pijama?, Sifriat Poalim, 1959 [Lama Loveshet Ha-Zebra Pijama]
* Abroad, Abroad!, Sifriat Poalim, 1960 [Hutz La-Aretz, Hutz La-Aretz]
* Nobody Can See Me, Massada, 1967 [Oti Lir'ot Af Ehad Lo Iachol]
* Uncle Simcha, Hakibbutz Hameuchad, 1969/99 [Dodi Simha]
* I'm a Warbler, Hakibbutz Hameuchad, 1970 [Ani Pashosh]
* Good Morning, Hakibbutz Hameuchad, 1971 [Boker Tov]
* Bulbul, Why?, Massada, 1972 [Bulbul, Lama Kacha?]
* Birdie, Birdie, Hakibbutz Hameuchad, 1973 [Rom Tziporim Tziporim Tzip]
* Giraffe in Blue Jeans, Hakibbutz Hameuchad, 1976 [Giraf Be-Jeans Kahol]
* Uncle Simcha's Voice, Hakibbutz Hameuchad, 1976 [Kol Dodi Simha]
* How Are You Mrs. Ladybird, Am Oved, 1977 [Shalom Lach Para Moshe Rabenu]
* From Fly To Elephant, Keter, 1977 [Mi-Zvuv Ve-Ad Pil]
* A Story About Cats, Keter, 1977 [Ma'ase Be-Hatulim]
* Yossi, Smart Child of Mine, Massada, 1978 [Yossi Yeled Sheli Mutzlah]
* Unbelievable, Ministry of Education, 1978 [Lo Yeuman]
* When Uncle Simcha Sings, Zionist Confederation, 1984 [Ke-She Dod Simha Shar]
* I'm a Warbler, Certainly and Maybe, Hakibbutz Hameuchad, 1987 [Ani Pashosh Betah Ve-Ulai]
* The Book of Scribble-songs, R. Sirkis, 1988 [Sefer Ha-Kishkushirim]
* A Cloud in My Hand, Sifriat Poalim, 1989 [Anan Ba-Yad]
* It Happened to a Fawn, Kinneret, 1989 [Ma'ase Be-Ofer Ayalim]
* Ayn Hillel's Big Book, Am Oved, 1992 [Ha-Sefer Ha-Gadol Shel Ayin Hillel]
* A Kibbutz Adventure, London, F. Warne, 1963

Further reading

* "The Modern Hebrew Poem Itself" (2003), ISBN 0-8143-2485-1

Notes