Chaim Potok - Author, Birthday and Family
Chaim Potok's Personal Details
Chaim Potok was a bestselling Jewish author and a rabbi
| Information | Detail |
|---|---|
| Birthday | February 17, 1929 |
| Died on | July 23, 2002 |
| Nationality | American |
| Famous | University Of Pennsylvania, Writers, Author |
| Spouses | Adena Sara Mosevitzsky |
| Universities |
|
| Notable Alumnis |
|
| Birth Place | The Bronx |
| Religion | Jewish |
| Gender | Male |
| Father | Benjamin Max |
| Mother | Mollie (née Friedman) Potok |
| Sun Sign | Aquarius |
| Born in | The Bronx |
| Famous as | American author |
| Died at Age | 73 |
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Chaim Potok's photo
Who is Chaim Potok?
A Jewish rabbi, critically acclaimed writer and a novelist, Chaim Potok gained international acclaim with his debut novel, ‘The Chosen’. His novels were mostly built around the concept of Jewish identity, their struggle to cope with urban life and clash between secular and religious views. Many of his publications are set in the metropolitan parts of New York City, where he grew up. He was raised to be a traditional Orthodox Jew and received Jewish education. He also served in the United States Army and was involved in the Conservative Jewish movement. Some of his notable works include, ‘The Promise’, ‘My Name Is Asher Lev’, ‘Davita's Harp’, ‘The Gift of Asher Lev’, ‘Wanderings: Chaim Potok's History of the Jews’ and ‘Old Men at Midnight’. Apart from writing, he had a keen interest in art and painting as well. He was also a visiting Professor at the University of Pennsylvania and spent a year in Israel, where he wrote his doctoral thesis. He was the managing editor of the ‘Conservative Judaism’ magazine and editor-in-chief of the ‘Jewish Publication Society’.
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Childhood & Early Life
Chaim Potok was born as Herman Harold Potok in Buffalo, New York to Jewish parents Benjamin Max and Mollie. He was raised with Jewish beliefs and received an orthodox Jewish education.
He was inspired to choose writing as his career option, after reading the Evelyn Waugh novel ‘Brideshead Revisited’. He began to write at the age of 16.
At the age of 17, he submitted his first piece of writing to ‘The Atlantic Monthly’, a magazine. Even though his work was not published, he received a letter from the magazine editor, who appreciated his writing.
In 1950, he graduated from the Yeshiva University with a B.A in English Literature. During his period of study, his stories were published in the University magazine.
In 1954, he graduated from the Jewish Theological Seminary of America, where he was ordained as a conservative rabbi. Subsequently, he became the director of Leaders Training Fellowship, a Jewish organisation.
From 1955 to 1957, he served in the U.S Army in the South Korea and after his return he worked at the University of Judaism in Los Angeles and became involved in the Conservative Jewish movement.
In 1964, he re-located to Brooklyn, where he took the position of managing editor of the magazine, ‘Conservative Judaism’. Next year, he started serving as the editor-in-chief of the ‘Jewish Publication Society’ in Philadelphia.
In 1965, he obtained his Ph.D. in philosophy from the University of Pennsylvania, where he also taught for a brief period. His dissertation was on Salomon Maimon, a German philosopher whose parents were Jewish.
Career
In 1967, he published his first book, ‘The Chosen’, which was one of his most popular and award-winning books. The novel is set during the death of President Roosevelt and the end of World War II.
Published in 1969, his novel ‘The Promise’ was a sequel to his first book ‘The Chosen’. The book dealt with the identity issues between Orthodox and Hasidic Jews and was set in the 1950s.
In 1972, he came out with the novel ‘My Name Is Asher Lev’, which revolved around a Hasidic Jewish boy, who had a keen interest in art. The novel was adapted on Broadway in 2012.
In 1975, two of his works, ‘In the Beginning’ and ’The Jew Confronts Himself in American Literature’, were published.
In 1978, his book, ‘Wanderings: Chaim Potok's History of the Jews’ was published. The book offered an insight into the history of the Jewish civilisation.
In 1981, his debut novel ‘The Chosen’ was made into a film, in which he made a cameo appearance as a professor. The film won an award at the World Film Festival, Montreal.
His 1985 novel titled ‘Davita's Harp’ is his sole novel to have a female protagonist. The plot centres on ‘Ilana Davita Chandal’, a New York born girl of a Christian father and a Polish-Jewish mother.
In 1990, his novel ‘The Gift of Asher Lev’ was published. The book was a sequel to his previous novel, ‘My Name Is Asher Lev’. The story revolves around a middle-aged Hasidic painter.
In 1996, he came out with the novel, ‘The Gates of November’, which depicts the life of a Jewish father and son spanning across the soviet history.
Published in 1998, his book, ‘Zebra and Other Stories’ is a collection of six children’s stories. Each of these stories is centred on middle-class or upper-middle-class families.
Published in 2001, his novel, ‘Old Men at Midnight’, is a story of a woman,’ Ilana Davita Dinn’, to whom three different men narrate the stories of their lives. The book is an extremely moving and thoughtful piece of writing.
Major Works
His first book, ‘The Chosen’ was featured on The New York Times’ bestseller list and remained there for a period of 39 weeks. It was one of his bestselling books - it sold 3,400,000 copies and won the Edward Lewis Wallant Prize. The book was also nominated for the National Book Award.
His novel, ‘The Promise’, a sequel to ‘The Chosen’, was awarded the Athenaeum Literary Award, which is presented by Athenaeum of Philadelphia.
Awards & Achievements
In 1997, he was awarded the Honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters by the La Sierra University.
In 1997, he received the Jewish Cultural Achievement Award.
Personal Life & Legacy
On June 8, 1958, he married Adena Sara Mosevitzsky, a social worker, whom he met in California. The couple had three children together.
In 1970, he moved to Jerusalem along with his family but came back to Philadelphia in 1977.
Later, he was diagnosed with brain cancer and died at the age of 73, at his house in Merion, Pennsylvania.
Trivia
This acclaimed Jewish author was also a talented artist and recreated the painting, ‘The Brooklyn Crucifixion’, a piece of art that was created by one the characters in his novel.
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Chaim Potok's awards
| Year | Name | Award |
|---|---|---|
Other | ||
| 0 | 1967 - Edward Lewis Wallant Prize | |
| 0 | 1969 - Athenaeum Literary Award | |
Chaim Potok biography timelines
- // 17th Feb 1929Chaim Potok was born as Herman Harold Potok in Buffalo, New York to Jewish parents Benjamin Max and Mollie. He was raised with Jewish beliefs and received an orthodox Jewish education.
- // 1950In 1950, he graduated from the Yeshiva University with a B.A in English Literature. During his period of study, his stories were published in the University magazine.
- // 1954In 1954, he graduated from the Jewish Theological Seminary of America, where he was ordained as a conservative rabbi. Subsequently, he became the director of Leaders Training Fellowship, a Jewish organisation.
- // 1955 To 1957From 1955 to 1957, he served in the U.S Army in the South Korea and after his return he worked at the University of Judaism in Los Angeles and became involved in the Conservative Jewish movement.
- // 8th Jun 1958On June 8, 1958, he married Adena Sara Mosevitzsky, a social worker, whom he met in California. The couple had three children together.
- // 1964In 1964, he re-located to Brooklyn, where he took the position of managing editor of the magazine, ‘Conservative Judaism’. Next year, he started serving as the editor-in-chief of the ‘Jewish Publication Society’ in Philadelphia.
- // 1965In 1965, he obtained his Ph.D. in philosophy from the University of Pennsylvania, where he also taught for a brief period. His dissertation was on Salomon Maimon, a German philosopher whose parents were Jewish.
- // 1967In 1967, he published his first book, ‘The Chosen’, which was one of his most popular and award-winning books. The novel is set during the death of President Roosevelt and the end of World War II.
- // 1969Published in 1969, his novel ‘The Promise’ was a sequel to his first book ‘The Chosen’. The book dealt with the identity issues between Orthodox and Hasidic Jews and was set in the 1950s.
- // 1970 To 1977In 1970, he moved to Jerusalem along with his family but came back to Philadelphia in 1977.
- // 1972 To 2012In 1972, he came out with the novel ‘My Name Is Asher Lev’, which revolved around a Hasidic Jewish boy, who had a keen interest in art. The novel was adapted on Broadway in 2012.
- // 1975In 1975, two of his works, ‘In the Beginning’ and ’The Jew Confronts Himself in American Literature’, were published.
- // 1978In 1978, his book, ‘Wanderings: Chaim Potok's History of the Jews’ was published. The book offered an insight into the history of the Jewish civilisation.
- // 1981In 1981, his debut novel ‘The Chosen’ was made into a film, in which he made a cameo appearance as a professor. The film won an award at the World Film Festival, Montreal.
- // 1985His 1985 novel titled ‘Davita's Harp’ is his sole novel to have a female protagonist. The plot centres on ‘Ilana Davita Chandal’, a New York born girl of a Christian father and a Polish-Jewish mother.
- // 1990In 1990, his novel ‘The Gift of Asher Lev’ was published. The book was a sequel to his previous novel, ‘My Name Is Asher Lev’. The story revolves around a middle-aged Hasidic painter.
- // 1996In 1996, he came out with the novel, ‘The Gates of November’, which depicts the life of a Jewish father and son spanning across the soviet history.
- // 1997In 1997, he was awarded the Honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters by the La Sierra University.
- // 1998Published in 1998, his book, ‘Zebra and Other Stories’ is a collection of six children’s stories. Each of these stories is centred on middle-class or upper-middle-class families.
- // 2001Published in 2001, his novel, ‘Old Men at Midnight’, is a story of a woman,’ Ilana Davita Dinn’, to whom three different men narrate the stories of their lives. The book is an extremely moving and thoughtful piece of writing.
- // 23rd Jul 2002Later, he was diagnosed with brain cancer and died at the age of 73, at his house in Merion, Pennsylvania.
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Chaim Potok's FAQ
What is Chaim Potok birthday?
Chaim Potok was born at 1929-02-17
When was Chaim Potok died?
Chaim Potok was died at 2002-07-23
Where was Chaim Potok died?
Chaim Potok was died in Merion
Which age was Chaim Potok died?
Chaim Potok was died at age 73
Where is Chaim Potok's birth place?
Chaim Potok was born in The Bronx
What is Chaim Potok nationalities?
Chaim Potok's nationalities is American
Who is Chaim Potok spouses?
Chaim Potok's spouses is Adena Sara Mosevitzsky
What was Chaim Potok universities?
Chaim Potok studied at University Of Pennsylvania, Yeshiva University, University of Toronto Mississauga, University of Pennsylvania
What was Chaim Potok notable alumnis?
Chaim Potok's notable alumnis is University Of Pennsylvania
What is Chaim Potok's religion?
Chaim Potok's religion is Jewish
Who is Chaim Potok's father?
Chaim Potok's father is Benjamin Max
Who is Chaim Potok's mother?
Chaim Potok's mother is Mollie (née Friedman) Potok
What is Chaim Potok's sun sign?
Chaim Potok is Aquarius
How famous is Chaim Potok?
Chaim Potok is famouse as American author