Abraham Regelson

Abraham Regelson, the renowned Hebrew poet, was born in Russia in 1896, and immigrated to the US with his parents in 1905. He studied in the heder, yeshiva and public schools in New York's lower East Side. Employed as a librarian and Hebrew teacher in New York and Cleveland Hebrew schools, at the same time he wrote poetry, essays, articles and legends which were printed in various publications. He moved with his family to early Jewish Palestine in 1933, where he was employed on the staff of the Hebrew daily, Davar. There he co-founded the paper's children's supplement, where the classic Dolls' Journey to Eretz-Israel was first published in installments. After three years he returned to New York, where he earned his living by writing for the Yiddish press. A master of Hebrew, English and Yiddish, his poetry and prose in all three languages was published in both America and Israel. In 1949 he settled permanently in Israel, where he worked on the staff of the daily newspaper Al HaMishmar, and as an editor of the publishing house, Am Oved. Author of several volumes of poetry, essays and children's books, he has also translated into Hebrew works by Milton, Blake, Melville and others. Winner of the prestigious Brenner (1962) and Bialik (1972) Literature Prizes in Israel, he was also awarded the Neumann Prize by the Hebrew Department of NYU in 1976 for his contribution to Hebrew literature. He died in 1981.

My name is Shiffy, and I'm ten years old, in sixth grade. I LOVE reading. I read the book by your father, the late Abraham Regelson: "The Dolls' Journey to Eretz-Israel" in Hebrew. I enjoyed very much how the dolls "functioned" as humans, because it created such funny situations. Especially I loved Viking, Balt-Ayin and Milta Zotarta*. The old-fashioned language sometimes reminds me of the prayer-book and the Bible; that was so entertaining!

I want to ask you: were you really the dolls' mom when you were small, and did you make parties for them? I'd love to meet you with my parents. Is it possible? Thank you again.

Shiffy Goldfarb, Ma'alot

*[Translator's Note: In the English version, Balt-Ayin and Milta Zotarta are called Popeye and Thingumbob, which were "Anglo" names from the earliest pre-State editions, later Hebraized by the author in editions following the State of Israel's establishment.]

To the Mother of the Dolls,

Thank you for the book, I enjoyed it very much, and many thanks for the dedication; it was such a good book and I will cherish it all my life. Reading your father's book, I couldn't stop, and at night when I was supposed to be asleep I kept reading But my mom caught me at it, and almost punished me!

From me, with love and thanks, Ilana Yaron, age 10, Tel-Aviv

"The story was absorbing and last night I read the book with my mom till the end without stopping (except for short bathroom stops). For me, the book is a winner!"

Gali Einy, age 9, Matan

"This recently reprinted book about nine dolls' immigration to pre-state Palestine still has a special magic."

Dr. Yael Dar, HaAretz review, June 10, 2005

"A favorite."

Noga Applebaum, London Jewish Quarterly, summer 2005

"We love this book ever since my, and Sharona's, girlhood. In my opinion, it hasn't lost its flavor, but rather improves with age like good wine."

Arnona Paikes, Jerusalem

"I'm not surprised that Naomi Shemer expressed herself so enthusiastically about the book. I too enjoyed reading the story about the mother of the dolls. The rich language, etched by a master artist's pen -- how lovely! And best of all this book is the very embodiment of Zionism!"

Tovah Povitzer, Jerusalem (veteran educator, former director of a teacher's seminary in Beersheva)

"I loved the book so, I read it three times in a row, at one sitting!"

Danny Beller, reporter in Kol-Bi, Beersheva local weekly.