The Hebrew Writers Association
The Hebrew Writers Association in Israel (Reg. Assoc.) is among the oldest and main cultural institutions in the history of Israel. The Association was founded and operates with the aim of bringing writers together, promoting the distribution of Hebrew books, conducting literary events, establishing classes and workshops for studying all forms of literature, conducting lectures on the history of Hebrew literature, promoting Hebrew literature in Israel and abroad, founding associations for Hebrew literature lovers, fostering relations with Hebrew writers and literary communities around the world, taking action to assure the welfare of Hebrew writers and promoting freedom of expression and any objective that will promote Hebrew writers and Hebrew literature in Israel.
The Association was founded in 1921. Among its founders were Bialik, Tchernichovsky.. Throughout the generations, the Association was led by renowned writers, including Haim Hazaz, Moshe Shamir, Yehuda Burla, Leah Goldberg, Yaakov Orland, Abba Kovner, Shulamit Lapid, Natan Yonatan and more. The Association’s current chairperson is writer and poet Tsvika Nir. His deputies are Dr. Dorit Zilberman and Adiva Geffen. The committee, comprising 12 writers, convenes bimonthly to discuss and reach decisions relating to managing the Association and achieving its objectives. The Association CEO is author Nira Tuval. The Association currently consists of ~900 members – authors, poets, playwrights, editors and literature researchers. In addition, the Association does a great deal to foster young authors and relations between authors and writer associations worldwide.
The Association is a non-profit organization, largely funded by the Ministry of Culture.
Activities:
Cultural Events: The Writers Association conducts literary-cultural initiatives at the Writers House in Tel Aviv and nationwide, operating with the local authorities – nearly 100 events a year featuring authors, poets, academics, literary scholars, actors, and musicians. The Association regularly conducts writing workshops open to the public, enrichment workshops for writers, workshops for young poets and workshops for youth at risk. In addition, it conducts national writing competitions, and more. The Association locates young poets and supports poetry readings at the Writers House and other venues.
Brenner Prize for prose: Once a year, the Association grants the Brenner Prize for prose, a debut novel or poetry book. The Brenner Prize is coordinated by Meir Ouziel as the artistic director and its laureates in recent years include Yishai Sarid, Sami Berdugo, Ronit Matalon, Eli Amir, David Grossman and more.
Zoom Events: During the Corona and after October 7 the war began, literary events were also broadcast on Zoom, featuring creators from the Western Negev.
Children's Book Distribution: During the war, we collected 25,000 children’s books and, in collaboration with local authorities across the country, established 200 libraries for evacuated children. The Association also supports writers in distress.
Writers’ Stipends: The Association offers assistance to writers facing hardship, whether due to financial, personal, or other challenges, ensuring they are not left alone in times of need.
The Foreign Affairs Committee: Headed by poet and essayist Dr. Shlomit Aharoni Lir, the committee the committee fosters relationships and initiates meetings with writers around the world, dedicated to bringing Israeli literature to global audiences and cultivating rich cultural dialogue. The Committee initiates and organizes literary events in English, as well as writers’ exchange programs exposing Israeli writers to new audience and various ideas and enabling international writers to visit Israel. In addition, the Committee works to promote the translation of Israeli literature into foreign languages and literary works from around the world into Hebrew in order to enrich the world of literature in Israel and enhance the intercultural dialogue.
Journal & Archive
Mozenaim (Scales): The leading Hebrew literature publication in Israel (founded in 1929 and still published today, over 90 years later). Six editions are published each year, distributed through the Association’s network and online platforms.
Writers Association Archives: The archive holds the largest collection of Hebrew manuscripts, preserved by the Writers Association under special conditions and attracting researchers from Israel and around the world. The archive regularly receives archives created by writers and poets. The manuscripts are handled by professionals and volunteers, stored in a dedicated wing of Beit Ariela in Tel Aviv.
Archivists and volunteers prepare materials for scanning and transfer them to the National Library.
In addition, it regularly publishes literature and poetry jewels in the media and online.
Media
The Association operates a variety of media platforms toward promoting its activities and fostering contact with the general public. It has a website with comprehensive information about the Association and its objectives. In addition, it maintains Facebook pages in Hebrew and English, providing ongoing updates and enabling contact with local and international audiences. The Association also operates a YouTube channel with footage of main events held over the years, providing the public with access to diverse information and content.
Contact Us
The Hebrew Writers Association in Israel
9 Leonardo da Vinci St. (corner of 12 Eliezer Kaplan St.), Tel Aviv, 5th floor
Tel. +972-3-695-3256
P.O. Box 20694, Tel Aviv, Zip Code 6120602
