# A. B. Yehoshua

> Israeli writer (1936–2022)

**Wikidata**: [Q329758](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q329758)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A._B._Yehoshua)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/a-b-yehoshua

## Summary

A. B. Yehoshua was born in Jerusalem on December 19, 1936[1][2][3] and died of cancer at Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center on June 14, 2022[4][5][6]. He was laid to rest at Ein Carmel.An Israeli citizen[7], Yehoshua worked as a writer, pedagogue, playwright, and screenwriter. He pursued literary activity[8] after studying at Gymnasia Rehavia and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and later taught at the University of Haifa and the University of Chicago. His writing was influenced by William Faulkner.He received the Bialik Prize, Israel Prize, Prix Médicis étranger, Dan David Prize, honorary doctorates from Tel Aviv University and Bar-Ilan University, and two additional awards[9][10].

## Summary

A. B. Yehoshua (1936–2022) was an acclaimed Israeli writer, pedagogue, playwright, and screenwriter known for his novels, short stories, and essays that explored Israeli identity, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and the Jewish diaspora experience. One of Israel's most prominent literary figures, he received numerous prestigious awards including the Israel Prize, the Prix Médicis étranger, and the Brenner Prize, and his works were translated into dozens of languages worldwide.

## Biography

- **Born:** December 1936 (sources list either December 19, 1936 or December 9, 1936)
- **Died:** June 14, 2022
- **Nationality:** Israeli (citizenship: Israel)
- **Education:** University of Haifa; Hebrew University of Jerusalem; University of Chicago
- **Known for:** Novels, short stories, essays, plays, and screenplays exploring Israeli society and Jewish identity
- **Employer(s):** University of Haifa; Hebrew University of Jerusalem
- **Field(s):** Literature, fiction, short story writing, poetry, screenwriting, playwright

## Contributions

A. B. Yehoshua began his writing career in 1957 and produced a substantial body of work over more than six decades. His novels often addressed themes of Israeli identity, the complexities of Zionism, and the tensions between Jewish tradition and modernity. His notable works include multiple novels and short story collections that have been recognized with major literary awards. As a pedagogue, he held academic positions at the University of Haifa and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, contributing to Israeli literary and cultural education. His influence extended beyond literature to film, as he wrote screenplays for cinematic adaptations of his works and original film projects.

## FAQs

**What awards did A. B. Yehoshua receive?**
A. B. Yehoshua received numerous prestigious awards including the Israel Prize (considered Israel's highest cultural honor, established in 1953), the Bialik Prize (one of Israel's oldest literary awards, established in 1933), the Brenner Prize (established in 1945), the Prix Médicis étranger (French literary award for works not originally in French, established in 1970), the Dan David Prize (Israeli award for history scholars, established in 2002), and The EMET Prize for Art, Science and Culture (established in 2002). He also received an honorary doctorate from Tel Aviv University.

**Where did A. B. Yehoshua study?**
A. B. Yehoshua received his education at three major institutions: the University of Haifa (founded in 1963), the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (founded in 1918), and the University of Chicago (founded in 1890).

**What were A. B. Yehoshua's main themes as a writer?**
A. B. Yehoshua's literary works frequently explored Israeli identity, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the Jewish diaspora experience, and the tensions between Jewish religious and cultural traditions and modern Israeli society. His writing often examined the complexities of Zionism and the Jewish return to Israel.

**What was A. B. Yehoshua's connection to academia?**
A. B. Yehoshua served as a pedagogue and academic, holding positions at both the University of Haifa and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, where he contributed to literary education and cultural studies in Israel.

**Was A. B. Yehoshua influenced by other writers?**
According to the source material, A. B. Yehoshua was influenced by William Faulkner (1897–1962), the renowned American writer known for pioneering Southern Gothic literature and creating complex stream-of-consciousness narratives exploring themes of time, memory, and the American South.

## Why They Matter

A. B. Yehoshua was one of the most significant voices in contemporary Israeli literature, helping to shape how both Israelis and international readers understand the complexities of Israeli society and Jewish identity in the modern era. His works, translated into numerous languages, brought international attention to Israeli literature and contributed to the global understanding of Middle Eastern affairs. Through his novels, essays, and academic work, Yehoshua helped establish Israeli literature as a major force in world literature. His ability to address political and social themes through literary fiction earned him recognition from both Israeli and international literary communities, with awards spanning Israeli, French, and international honors. His academic positions at major Israeli universities further extended his influence by shaping generations of Israeli students and scholars.

## Notable For

- Recipient of the Israel Prize, Israel's highest cultural honor
- Winner of the Prix Médicis étranger, France's prestigious literary award for foreign works
- Recipient of the Bialik Prize, Brenner Prize, Dan David Prize, and EMET Prize
- Honorary doctorate from Tel Aviv University
- Academic positions at University of Haifa and Hebrew University of Jerusalem
- Extensive body of work exploring Israeli identity and Jewish experience
- Works translated into dozens of languages worldwide
- Influence on Israeli literary and cultural discourse for over six decades
- Writing career spanning from 1957 to 2022

## Body

### Early Life and Background

A. B. Yehoshua was born in December 1936 in what would become Israel. His birth occurred during the British Mandate for Palestine period, prior to Israel's establishment as a sovereign state in 1948. This historical context would profoundly influence his literary career, as much of his work grappled with questions of Israeli identity, nationhood, and the Jewish experience in the land of Israel.

### Education

Yehoshua pursued higher education at several prestigious institutions. He attended the University of Haifa, an Israeli university founded in 1963 located in the city of Haifa. He also studied at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, established in 1918 and consistently ranked among the world's top 100 universities in the Shanghai Academic Ranking of World Universities. Additionally, Yehoshua received educational credentials from the University of Chicago, a private research university founded in 1890 in Chicago, Illinois, United States. This American educational experience exposed him to diverse literary traditions and influenced his writing style.

### Academic Career

Following his education, Yehoshua embarked on an academic career that spanned multiple decades. He served as a pedagogue at the University of Haifa, one of Israel's major universities, where he contributed to the academic study of literature and Israeli culture. He also held a position at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel's premier academic institution, where he taught and mentored students in the field of literature. His dual roles as both practicing writer and academic educator allowed him to bridge the gap between creative writing and scholarly analysis of Israeli literature.

### Literary Career

A. B. Yehoshua began his writing career in 1957 and maintained a prolific output for over six decades until his death in 2022. As a writer, he produced novels, short stories, essays, and poetry that addressed the fundamental questions of Israeli existence and Jewish identity. His works often explored the tensions between Jewish religious traditions and the secular modernity of Israeli society, the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and the experiences of Jews in the diaspora who returned to Israel.

### Awards and Recognition

Yehoshua received numerous awards recognizing his contributions to literature and culture. The Israel Prize, awarded by the State of Israel and regarded as the state's highest cultural honor, represented the pinnacle of recognition in Israeli cultural life. The Bialik Prize, established in 1933, recognized his achievements in Hebrew literature. The Brenner Prize, established in 1945, honored his literary contributions. The Prix Médicis étranger, a French literary award for works not originally written in French, acknowledged his international impact. The Dan David Prize, established in 2002, recognized his contributions to history scholarship. The EMET Prize for Art, Science and Culture, also established in 2002, honored excellence in academic and professional fields. Additionally, he received an honorary doctorate from Tel Aviv University, reflecting his status in Israeli academia.

### Influence and Literary Connections

A. B. Yehoshua was influenced by the American writer William Faulkner, who was renowned for pioneering the Southern Gothic literary style and creating complex, stream-of-consciousness narratives. Faulkner's influence is evident in Yehoshua's own narrative techniques and his exploration of complex themes related to identity, memory, and place. This connection highlights Yehoshua's position within global literary traditions while maintaining his distinctly Israeli voice.

### Works and Themes

Yehoshua's notable works, identified in the source material through Wikidata entries, include multiple literary compositions that have contributed to contemporary Israeli literature. His writing typically addressed the Israeli experience, including the challenges of building a Jewish state, the relationship between Israeli Jews and Arab citizens, the legacy of the Holocaust and its impact on Israeli identity, and the search for meaning in Israeli society. His novels often featured complex characters grappling with personal and collective identities in the context of Israeli reality.

### Playwright and Screenwriter

Beyond his work as a novelist and short story writer, Yehoshua also contributed to theater and film as a playwright and screenwriter. These dimensions of his career expanded his influence beyond the literary world into the performing arts and cinema, allowing his stories to reach broader audiences through theatrical productions and film adaptations.

### Legacy

A. B. Yehoshua's death on June 14, 2022, marked the end of a literary career that spanned more than six decades. His contributions to Israeli literature and culture have left a lasting impact on how readers around the world understand Israeli society and the Jewish experience. Through his novels, essays, academic work, and dramatic writings, Yehoshua established himself as one of the most important literary voices in Israel's history. His works continue to be studied, discussed, and translated, ensuring his influence extends to future generations of readers and writers.

## References

1. Integrated Authority File
2. Virtual International Authority File
3. BnF authorities
4. LIBRIS. 2018
5. Czech National Authority Database
6. [Source](https://dandavidprize.org/previous-laureates/?getby=cat&cat=2017)
7. [Source](http://www.premioletterarioviareggiorepaci.it/premi/vincitori/2-Premio%20Internazionale%20Viareggio-Versilia)
8. [Source](https://www.sofitel-paris-lefaubourg.com/actualites-evenements/prix-meilleur-livre-etranger/)
9. International Standard Name Identifier
10. CiNii Research
11. [Source](https://nli.org.il/he/archives/NNL_ARCHIVE_AL990026707830205171/NLI)
12. [Abraham B. Yehoshua, prominent Israeli author dies](https://www.ynetnews.com/article/sysh4ohk5)
13. IMDb
14. Babelio
15. Hebrew Wikipedia
16. [AB Yehoshua obituary](https://www.theguardian.com/books/2022/jun/15/ab-yehoshua-obituary)
17. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
18. Autoritats UB
19. Goodreads
20. Israeli Music Collection
21. The Movie Database
22. Virtual Study of Theatre Institute