Chaim Potok

@Author, Birthday and Family ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Chaim Potok was a bestselling Jewish author and a rabbi American University Of Pennsylvania Writers Aquarius Celebrities 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’.

Personal Details

Birthday: February 17, 1929 Died on: July 23, 2002 Nationality: American Famous: Author, University Of Pennsylvania, Writers Spouses: Adena Sara Mosevitzsky Universities: University Of Pennsylvania Yeshiva University University of Toronto Mississauga University of Pennsylvania Notable Alumnis: University Of Pennsylvania Information Detail Birthday February 17, 1929 Died on July 23, 2002 Nationality American Famous Author, University Of Pennsylvania, Writers Spouses Adena Sara Mosevitzsky Universities University Of Pennsylvania Yeshiva University University of Toronto Mississauga University of Pennsylvania Notable Alumnis University Of Pennsylvania 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

The Bronx

Chaim Potok born at Unsplash Birth Place

On June 8, 1958, he married Adena Sara Mosevitzsky, a social worker, whom he met in California. The couple had three children together. Unsplash Personal Life

In 1970, he moved to Jerusalem along with his family but came back to Philadelphia in 1977. Unsplash Personal Life

Later, he was diagnosed with brain cancer and died at the age of 73, at his house in Merion, Pennsylvania. Unsplash Personal 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. Unsplash Childhood & Early Life

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. Unsplash Childhood & Early Life

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. Unsplash Childhood & Early Life

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. Unsplash Childhood & Early Life

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. Unsplash Childhood & Early Life

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. Unsplash Career

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. Unsplash Career

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. Unsplash Career

In 1975, two of his works, ‘In the Beginning’ and ’The Jew Confronts Himself in American Literature’, were published. Unsplash Career

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. Unsplash Career

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. Unsplash Major Works

His novel, ‘The Promise’, a sequel to ‘The Chosen’, was awarded the Athenaeum Literary Award, which is presented by Athenaeum of Philadelphia. Unsplash Major Works

Information	Detail
Birthday	February 17, 1929
Died on	July 23, 2002
Nationality	American
Famous	Author, University Of Pennsylvania, Writers
Spouses	Adena Sara Mosevitzsky
Universities	University Of Pennsylvania Yeshiva University University of Toronto Mississauga University of Pennsylvania
Notable Alumnis	University Of Pennsylvania
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

Chaim Potok

American

Feb 17, 1929

Biography

Personal Details

The Bronx