The Week of the Book

We live in a very technologically oriented world. Everywhere one sees people with small earphones in their ears listening to words or music on some form of I-pod. Cell phones are in use at home, on public transportation, at the gym, Amazon is advertising a new device, the Kindle, which lets you read books electronically.

Yet, every summer, here in Israel, usually in June, the country celebrates Shavua Hasefer, The Week of the Book. Hebrew books have had a strong influence on Jews ever since The Book. Jewish tradition honors and studies words. Through the centuries Rabbis and teachers have studied, taught, argued over sacred texts which serve to keep Jewish tradition alive. Generations of lay people continue to engage these texts.

Today, in Israel, more than 5000 new titles are published in Hebrew, and ten million books are sold every year. Israel is home to a rich and diverse book publishing industry. There are hundreds of publishing houses of all sizes, dedicated to publishing all manner of books, from religious to secular.

This past week all across the country publishers, distributors, and bookstores set up stalls on city streets, in public squares and malls in celebration of the written Hebrew word. People, young and old, gathered to browse, examine new and old titles, and purchase volumes often at bargain prices These national book fairs are wonderful cultural events.

This is just another one of the many wonderful things about living in Israel.



Frank