.gif)
Robert Whitehill (Hebrew poet)
Encyclopedia
Robert Whitehill is an American Hebrew poet.
Robert Whitehill was born in 1947 in High Point, North Carolina
, and grew up in Lubbock, Texas
, where he attended Texas Tech University
. Although he was raised with little Jewish identity, Whitehill was fascinated by Israel
and Zionism
. Starting at the age of 15, Whitehill studied Hebrew using self-help books and vinyl records, then found his first Hebrew conversational partner in a fellow Texas Tech student—an Israeli Arab. At age 21, Whitehill made his first trip to Israel, where he enrolled in a two-month intensive Hebrew course. Upon his return, Whitehill enrolled at University of Texas at Austin
, where he received a Juris Doctor
as well as a master's degree in English literature. He met his future wife, Susan Lilly, at the University, and married her in 1978.
During the 1970s, Whitehill wrote his first Hebrew poem, which was accepted by the now-defunct Hebrew periodical Hadoar. Whitehill entered into correspondence with Israeli author and playwright Aharon Megged
and translated several of Megged's novels into English. Although Hadoar rejected his later poems, Megged helped Whitehill to get his work published in the Israeli daily newspapers Ha’aretz and Davar
. In 1976, Whitehill translated his first book, the collection Rustic Sunset and Other Stories by Israeli screenplay writer and journalist Yitzhak Ben Ner
. With the help of Israeli poet Simon Halkin
, Israeli lyricist Yossi Gamzu, and Aharon Megged, Whitehill wrote his first poetry collection entitled Orvim Humim ("Brown Crows"). It was published in Israel in 1977. Whitehill's second collection, Efes Makom ("No Place"), was published in Israel in 1981.
In 1983, Whitehill and his family (Lilly and their two young sons) moved from Austin, Texas
to the Washington, DC suburb of Potomac, Maryland
. In 1985 and 1988, Whitehill and Lilly had two more children, both daughters. In the DC area, Whitehill worked for the Federal Communications Commission
, in the low-power broadcasting
regulation division. In 1990, Whitehill started his own import-export company, Whitehill Trade Services, which primarily traded glassware, electronics, and urea-formaldehyde
between the United States
, Israel
, and China
.
In the 1980s, the work of Hebrew poet Saul Tchernikhovsky convinced Whitehill that he was wasting his time. The worst of Tchernikhovsky's works, he believed, was better than his own best poems. Discouraged, Whitehill stopped publishing his poetry. A decade later, Whitehill revisited his Hebrew poetry and determined that he had been too hard on himself. He began work on a new collection of poems, some of which were published in Israeli literary journals. In March 2006, Commentary Magazine published an article by Michael Weingrad, titled "The Last of the (Hebrew) Mohicans."1 Weingrad's article discussed Whitehill's growing poetry collection and the Texan’s anomalous maturation into a Hebrew poet. The article distinguished Whitehill as "probably the only non-Israeli publishing fine Hebrew poetry today."
Whitehill's latest book, After the Silence, was published by Carmel Publishing Company, Jerusalem, in June 2007.
High Point, North Carolina
High Point is a city located in the Piedmont Triad region of North Carolina. As of 2010 the city had a total population of 104,371, according to the US Census Bureau. High Point is currently the eighth-largest municipality in North Carolina....
, and grew up in Lubbock, Texas
Lubbock, Texas
Lubbock is a city in and the county seat of Lubbock County, Texas, United States. The city is located in the northwestern part of the state, a region known historically as the Llano Estacado, and the home of Texas Tech University and Lubbock Christian University...
, where he attended Texas Tech University
Texas Tech University
Texas Tech University, often referred to as Texas Tech or TTU, is a public research university in Lubbock, Texas, United States. Established on February 10, 1923, and originally known as Texas Technological College, it is the leading institution of the Texas Tech University System and has the...
. Although he was raised with little Jewish identity, Whitehill was fascinated by Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
and Zionism
Zionism
Zionism is a Jewish political movement that, in its broadest sense, has supported the self-determination of the Jewish people in a sovereign Jewish national homeland. Since the establishment of the State of Israel, the Zionist movement continues primarily to advocate on behalf of the Jewish state...
. Starting at the age of 15, Whitehill studied Hebrew using self-help books and vinyl records, then found his first Hebrew conversational partner in a fellow Texas Tech student—an Israeli Arab. At age 21, Whitehill made his first trip to Israel, where he enrolled in a two-month intensive Hebrew course. Upon his return, Whitehill enrolled at University of Texas at Austin
University of Texas at Austin
The University of Texas at Austin is a state research university located in Austin, Texas, USA, and is the flagship institution of the The University of Texas System. Founded in 1883, its campus is located approximately from the Texas State Capitol in Austin...
, where he received a Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor is a professional doctorate and first professional graduate degree in law.The degree was first awarded by Harvard University in the United States in the late 19th century and was created as a modern version of the old European doctor of law degree Juris Doctor (see etymology and...
as well as a master's degree in English literature. He met his future wife, Susan Lilly, at the University, and married her in 1978.
During the 1970s, Whitehill wrote his first Hebrew poem, which was accepted by the now-defunct Hebrew periodical Hadoar. Whitehill entered into correspondence with Israeli author and playwright Aharon Megged
Aharon Megged
Aharon Megged is an Israeli author and playwright.-Biography:Aharon Megged was born in 1920 in Włocławek, Poland, and in 1926 immigrated with his parents to Mandate Palestine. He grew up in Ra'anana, attending the Herzliya high school in Tel Aviv...
and translated several of Megged's novels into English. Although Hadoar rejected his later poems, Megged helped Whitehill to get his work published in the Israeli daily newspapers Ha’aretz and Davar
Davar
Davar was a Hebrew-language daily newspaper published in the Mandate Palestine and Israel between 1925 and May 1996.-History:Davar was established by Moshe Beilinson and Berl Katznelson, with Katznelson as its first editor. The first edition was published on 1 June 1925 under the name Davar - Iton...
. In 1976, Whitehill translated his first book, the collection Rustic Sunset and Other Stories by Israeli screenplay writer and journalist Yitzhak Ben Ner
Yitzhak Ben Ner
Yitzhak Ben Ner is an influential Israeli writer, screenwriter, journalist, and film critic. He has also hosted and edited radio and TV programs.-Biography:Ben Ner was born in 1937 in Kfar Yehoshua, Israel...
. With the help of Israeli poet Simon Halkin
Simon Halkin
Simon Halkin was an Israeli poet, novelist, teacher, and translator.- Biography :Simon Halkin was born in Dovsk near Rogachev , then in the Russian Empire in 1899. He emigrated to New York City with his family in 1914. He lived and studied in the United States from 1914 to 1932...
, Israeli lyricist Yossi Gamzu, and Aharon Megged, Whitehill wrote his first poetry collection entitled Orvim Humim ("Brown Crows"). It was published in Israel in 1977. Whitehill's second collection, Efes Makom ("No Place"), was published in Israel in 1981.
In 1983, Whitehill and his family (Lilly and their two young sons) moved from Austin, Texas
Austin, Texas
Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of :Texas and the seat of Travis County. Located in Central Texas on the eastern edge of the American Southwest, it is the fourth-largest city in Texas and the 14th most populous city in the United States. It was the third-fastest-growing large city in...
to the Washington, DC suburb of Potomac, Maryland
Potomac, Maryland
Potomac is a census-designated place in Montgomery County, Maryland, United States, named for the nearby Potomac River. The population was 44,822 at the 2000 census. The Potomac area is known for its very affluent and highly-educated residents. In 2009 CNNMoney.com listed Potomac as the fourth...
. In 1985 and 1988, Whitehill and Lilly had two more children, both daughters. In the DC area, Whitehill worked for the Federal Communications Commission
Federal Communications Commission
The Federal Communications Commission is an independent agency of the United States government, created, Congressional statute , and with the majority of its commissioners appointed by the current President. The FCC works towards six goals in the areas of broadband, competition, the spectrum, the...
, in the low-power broadcasting
Low-power broadcasting
Low-power broadcasting is electronic broadcasting at very low power and low cost, to a small community area.The terms "low-power broadcasting" and "micropower broadcasting" should not be used interchangeably, because the markets are not the same...
regulation division. In 1990, Whitehill started his own import-export company, Whitehill Trade Services, which primarily traded glassware, electronics, and urea-formaldehyde
Urea-formaldehyde
Urea-formaldehyde, also known as urea-methanal, named so for its common synthesis pathway and overall structure, is a non-transparent thermosetting resin or plastic, made from urea and formaldehyde heated in the presence of a mild base such as ammonia or pyridine...
between the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
, and China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
.
In the 1980s, the work of Hebrew poet Saul Tchernikhovsky convinced Whitehill that he was wasting his time. The worst of Tchernikhovsky's works, he believed, was better than his own best poems. Discouraged, Whitehill stopped publishing his poetry. A decade later, Whitehill revisited his Hebrew poetry and determined that he had been too hard on himself. He began work on a new collection of poems, some of which were published in Israeli literary journals. In March 2006, Commentary Magazine published an article by Michael Weingrad, titled "The Last of the (Hebrew) Mohicans."1 Weingrad's article discussed Whitehill's growing poetry collection and the Texan’s anomalous maturation into a Hebrew poet. The article distinguished Whitehill as "probably the only non-Israeli publishing fine Hebrew poetry today."
Whitehill's latest book, After the Silence, was published by Carmel Publishing Company, Jerusalem, in June 2007.