Ayin Hillel


Ayin Hillel was the pen name of Hillel Omer, an Israeli poet and children's author.

Biography

Hillel Omer was born in Kibbutz Mishmar HaEmek in the Jezreel Valley. His father changed his surname, Kotovitz, to Ogni. He fought in the Palmach during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. From 1954 to 1969 he was a chief landscape designer of Jerusalem.
His poem, Hanesher, is written in Biblical Hebrew, but expresses the doubts and disillusions of the twentieth century.

Awards

Ayin Hillel won the Fichman Prize and the 1976 Andersen Honor Citation.

Published works

Omer's work has been translated into English, French, German, Greek, Hungarian, Spanish, and Russian. Among his most famous compositions are "Why Does the Zebra Wear Pajamas" and "Uncle Simcha".

Poetry