"Emphasis - Society of Literature and Poetry in Israel" • A ceremony to welcome members in Haifa

In a festive and exciting evening, a group of poets and writers met this week for a ceremony to welcome new members of "Emphasis, the association of people of literature and poetry in Israel". This is the first welcoming ceremony held in Haifa, in the distinguished library of the "Alon" school.

This evening, Monday 20/5/24, writers and poets from all over the country gathered for a meeting of acquaintances and inspiring sharing. The ceremony was opened by Eliran Dayan, founder and head of the association and leader in Israel of "The national writing competition for children Named after Rika Berkowitz.

It was fascinating to listen to the poems and stories read by the new members, and above all to understand the circumstances of the writing, and thus to get to know the rich "behind the scenes" of each company and member.

Gali Berman, 26 years old from Kibbutz Kfar Gaza, who won In the children's writing competition In the year 12, when he was XNUMX years old, he was kidnapped with his twin brother Ziv on Black Sabbath.

 His work on the subject The Kassams, won him an award.

This year the writing competition marks 20 years since its foundation and we pray that together with the boys and girls who won this year, Gali Berman will also come to the ceremony to be held this July 2024.

Society of Literature and Poetry

The Association of People of Literature and Poetry was established on March 29.3.2024, XNUMX, and the association's goal is to create a warm home for all writers and poets, from all regions and sectors, in Israel and in the Diaspora, while emphasizing, as the name of the association, every creator who is a member of it or outside of it. Also, it places emphasis on creating local and international connections, promoting the next generation of writers and poets, making literature accessible by all means and in all environments, developing writing workshops as well as assisting writers and poets in writing processes.

The association has diverse writing projects as well as ongoing activities. The database of poets and writers "The Treasury of Hebrew Literature" in which information on 475 writers and poets, 7 periodicals was transferred from the journal "Motive" to the association.

The association sponsors (currently in name only) the national writing competition for children named after Rika Berkovic

Taboo - a kicking short story edited by Anat Avishar-Koran was established and three Zum Arabs were held: 

• 5 years to the memory of the writer Rika Berkovich
•  5 years in memory of the poet Yossi Morg
• An evening about the sources of inspiration with Elad Arnon
• The association supports (in its name only) poetry and story evenings in Zoom of the Motive magazine
• There was a meeting of writers in Rishon Lezion with theSofer David Ronal
• The association's social network channels were opened, where emphasis is placed on each of the members
• A channel was established where creators talk about their creations and is now in the process of creating a podcast for the association.

The association has a planning of activities and ventures, some of which are already in creative processes: 

• Dinner meetings of the members of the association
• A collection of songs and stories for abductees and abductees and with the cooperation of their families - in preparation
• The ceremony of the national writing competition for children named after Rika Berkovich to be held in Nes Ziona - 7.7.2024
• An online collection of poems edited by Shula Barnea
• Poetry and storytelling events in bars and cafes
• International prize for Jewish poets and writers around the world and supporters of Israel in collaboration with the Italian Renaissance poetry movement
• Podcasts from the association and a Spotify account
• Establishing writing competitions and local literary awards
• Establishing a website, a dedicated literary magazine and more.
• Collaborations with literary associations, ventures and people in the field

Some of these activities will take place here, in Haifa.

Let's wish for days of silence, for the return of all the abducted and for the cultivation of an open house that allows a community of writers and poets in Israel and around the world.