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MEET HAVA BEN-ZVI
by Bonnie O'Brian

What did you most like to do when you were a child?

Hava Ben-Zvi

I liked to read. My father brought me to a local library in Warsaw when I was young, no more than six or seven. Soon I had to be transferred to a different branch, since I have already read all the children’s books available there.

What books influenced you when you were growing up?

As a child I loved stories about girls my age, especially if they lived in boarding schools. I found this interesting, romantic and exciting. As a teenager I read books written for adults, and depicting reality with appealing, beautiful and honorable heroines.

What inspired you to write your current book EVE’S JOURNEY?

I always believed my story ought to be told. Eva’s Journey is a memoir of my life as a child, an adolescent and a teenager under the German occupation of Europe, during World War II. I almost felt it was a survivor’s obligation to the dead and to the living to tell the story. But I had to retire to find time to do so.

Why do you think the book is important?

The book is an authentic eyewitness report to the events of our times, true in fact and feeling, without exaggeration. If anything, it is an understatement, as many books about the Holocaust are. It is part of primary literature about this period of history.

What inspires you to write?

A good idea or thought to convey to children, adolescents and teenagers always inspires me to write, especially if the idea has a timeless, universal appeal.

What are you working on now?

I have found folktales which have withstood the test of time interesting, unconventional and thought provoking. Even though I have used Jewish sources, These ideas have been shared by many cultures. I envision the title as THE BRIDE WHO ARGUED WITH GOD. Our bride is taking God to task, since her husband’s life is at stake.

Is your new anthology of folktales focused on any particular subject?

Yes. I believe tales reflecting relationships between people are eternally interesting. These themes appear in different forms in every generation. Among others I included tales illuminating the complex and sometimes thorny relationship between man and women in love, marriage, business and in the community. My tales shed light on the position and role played by women in the family and in other areas of life. I have selected tales addressing human needs, readable and evoking comprehension and affection. These tales are thought provoking and mostly unknown. I have, to the best of my knowledge, translated and retold them into English for the first time.

What audience did you have in mind for your new book?

I hope to engage the interest of both children, beginning with 3rd grade as well as of older students, and adult audiences. Different audiences may interpret and absorb the messages conveyed on different levels, depending on their maturity and life experiences, but all will be entertained and affected. I have similar experiences with EVA'S JOURNEY.

Is there anything about yourself that you would like to share?

All my works reflect myself: EVA' S JOURNEY is based on my true experiences. THE BRIDE WHO ARGUED WITH GOD is a reflection of my values and ideas about what is important to convey to our new generation.