Chaim Bermant
Chaim Bermant was a notable writer and journalist, known for his contributions to literature and Jewish discourse. Born in Poland and raised in Scotland, he had a diverse upbringing that influenced his later works. In 1950, Bermant moved to Israel and spent two years on a kibbutz, an experience that shaped his perspective on community and identity. Following his time in Israel, he pursued higher education in politics and economics at Glasgow University and the London School of Economics.
Bermant's literary career began with the publication of his first novel, "Jericho Sleep Alone," in 1964, leading to a prolific output of both fiction and nonfiction. His writings often explored themes relevant to Jewish life and culture, exemplified in his well-received works like "The Jews," which highlights Jewish achievements, and "Murmurings of a Licensed Heretic," a collection of his journalism. He also gained recognition for his clever and insightful weekly column, "On the Other Hand," in the Jewish Chronicle, which garnered a substantial readership and was later compiled into a book. Overall, Bermant's contributions to literature and journalism reflect his deep engagement with Jewish identity and societal issues.
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Chaim Bermant
Fiction & Nonfiction Writer
- Born: February 26, 1929
- Birthplace: Breslev, Poland
- Died: January 20, 1998
- Place of death: London, England
Biography
The son of a rabbi, Chaim Bermant lived in Poland and Scotland as a child. In 1950, he traveled to Israel where he worked on a kibbutz, a rural Jewish settlement, for two years. Bermant then left Israel for the United Kingdom, where he studied politics and economics at Glasgow University and the London School of Economics. Bermant then became a schoolmaster for two years, which he considered to be a dark period in his life. This experience was the basis for his 1969 novel, Here Endeth the Lesson.
In the late 1950’s, Bermant worked in television as a scriptwriter before finding his niche as a columnist for the Jewish Chronicle. Bermant’s first novel, Jericho Sleep Alone, was published in 1964. He went on to publish many more novels as well as several works of nonfiction, including The Jews in 1977, a summary of Jewish achievements, and Murmurings of a Licensed Heretic in 1990, a collection of his journalism.
A highly regarded novelist, Bermant is also well remembered for his famed weekly column in the Jewish Chronicle, “On the Other Hand.” The best of these articles were published in the volume On the Other Hand: Three Decades of Jewish Life from the Pen of its Wittiest and Wisest Chronicler in 2000.