Milestones & Legacy
A Life in Time
Born in Baghdad
Born into a secular Jewish family in Baghdad, immersed from childhood in the Arabic language and the city's rich cultural life.
Immigration to Israel
At seventeen, immigrated with his family to Israel and began learning Hebrew with the aim of translating Arabic poetry.
Doctorate at Oxford
Completed his PhD on the novels of Naguib Mahfouz under Mustafa Badawi; scholar and novelist would later become friends.
Full Professor, Tel Aviv University
Became a full professor of Arabic literature, having chaired the department; from 1982 he held the Helmos Chair.
Israel Academic Center, Cairo
Headed the center in Cairo, deepening decades of literary research and cultural exchange between Egypt and Israel.
Israel Prize
Honored with the Israel Prize for Middle Eastern studies, followed by the EMET Prize in 2008.
A Lasting Legacy
Died in Tel Aviv, leaving ten books, countless translations, and a field forever shaped by his devotion to two languages.