 Hebrew Book Week was held throughout this last week (1-6 June) at the Eilat Library. All purchases are a contribution to the community, according to the Hebrew advert. Book sales at discounted prices were held in the library on a wide variety of books, from novels through biographies through New Age through children's books.
This being an English-language website, it's clear that most of our readers would not be purchasing books. However, it's nice to be able to say that Eilat can boast a variety of local authors who have books included in the event. They were intermittently present to talk about their works and/or sign them for those interested. Several have written volumes of poetry which include beautiful artwork or photography that are also of their own creation.
Some of the authors have stories that are no less interesting than their works. Tzipi Hersko, for example, immigrated from Rumania to Israel in the same year we became a state. Although her walking is impaired by childhood polio, she has always been an active member of the community and involved in volunteer work. An artist even before becoming a poet, her volume features some delicate and evocative paintings interspersed among the writings.
Nili Dagan was active in the business world for many years, and only quite recently cut back her professional life in order to make room for her creativity. In a relatively short time she has put together an impressive book of poetry, along with a CD.
Danny Amar started writing poetry after his soldier son Idron was tragically killed in Gaza several years ago. His book, a tribute to his late son, is actually only a part of what he has done to commemorate his son while also serving the community and, one could say, well beyond it. His story deserves its own article, which will be coming soon to our pages - check back, as it is something worth hearing about.
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Noam Harel has a book of beautiful desert photography interspersed with poetic lines and bible verses, making both the desert and the relevance of the verses come alive for the reader. Like his father, Noam loves to roam the wilderness near Eilat and catch it through the photographer's eye.
Dr. Yakov (‘Yankeleh') Dafni has another colourful and impressive volume about the marine life of the Red Sea now, which in another month or so will be coming out in English as well. In spite of the common belief that the reef in Eilat has become devoid of interesting things to see, Dr. Dafni points out that 95% of the photos in his new book were taken in the last five years and that despite reef deterioration in other parts of the world, Eilat's reef is still in top form. Through taking steps to enforce conservation regulations and a proper interface, something requiring dedication and broad public awareness, it is possible to rehabilitate damaged reefs. Dr. Dafni also debunks the myth that you must do deep dives to see anything good, noting that over half the book's photos were taken while snorkelling.
The book can definitely serve as a ‘sales promotion' for Eilat's underwater scenery, to show the public that Eilat's coral reefs have kept their magic and still remain a major tourist attraction. Dr. Dafni was not present during my visit, nor were the remaining Eilati authors, Einat Timsit and Urieh Be'er.
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