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Ely Schiller (1938 – December 2, 2018) was an Israeli archaeologist, explorer of Jerusalem and the Land of Israel, tour guide, editor and founder of "Ariel Publications". He himself published dozens of articles and books, while his publishing house published numerous books about the history of Israel.[1]
Ely Schiller | |
|---|---|
| אלי שילר | |
| Born | 1938 |
| Died | 12 February 2018 (aged 79–80) |
| Nationality | Israeli |
| Academic work | |
| Discipline | Archaeologist, Publisher |
Biography
editEly Schiller was born in Hungary in 1938 to Ernest and Bracha Schiller.[1][2] His father was murdered during the holocaust.[3] He, his mother and brother were among the Jewswho found refuge at the Glass House (Budapest) during 1944.[1][2] In 1945, at the age of seven, he came to Israel with his mother and brother, settling in Shefayim. In the 1950's he joined the IDF. During his service Ely finished a tour guide course and for several years worked as a tour guide in Israel. He then moved to Beit HaKerem, Jerusalem, and in 1974 he established "Ariel Publications" which became his life's work. The publishing house released hundreds of books on various topics related to the Land of Israel, including history, archaeology, geography, flora and fauna, settlements, and forgotten historic sites.[1][2]
Ely studied archaeology at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and even though he never graduated, he became one of the most respected people in the field in Israel, due to his vast knowledge in many areas and his scholarly research and publications. One of the most important subjects he wrote about was the minorities in Israel, such as: Druze, Circasians, Muslims and Christians.[1][2] Another aspect of his life was translating books to Hebrew, among the authors who's book he translated are Selma Lagerlöf, Mark Twain, Elizabeth Anne Finn, Myriam Harry and Titus Tobler. In 2012 he received a special award from Yad Ben Zvi for his unique contribution to the dissemination of knowledge about the Land of Israel and its culture to the general public. Among the reasons for the award, it was written: There is no similar phenomenon in the State of Israel for the study and dissemination of the Zionist endeavor of settling and developing the land, both through scientific research, publications and popular articles.[1][2]
Ely was described as a "one man empire". Ely continued working until his death on December 2, 2018, with 20 new books published in the year he passed away.[1][2]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f g Aderet, Ofer (2018). ""אין בישראל תופעה דומה": מפעל חייו של אלי שילר".
- ^ a b c d e f ברקאי, גבריאל; Barkay, G. (2019). "אלי שילר (2018–1938) – Ely Schiller". Qadmoniot: A Journal for the Antiquities of Eretz-Israel and Bible Lands / קדמוניות: כתב-עת לעתיקות ארץ-ישראל וארצות המקרא. נ"ב (158): 130–131. ISSN 0033-4839. JSTOR 27150546.
- ^ Schiller, Ely (1950). "Page of Testimony".