“All beginnings are hard.” CHAIM POTOK (FEB. 17, 1929 – JULY 23, 2002)

Writer, teacher, historian, artist, soldier and rabbi

Biography  Herman Harold Potok was born in the Bronx to Benjamin and Mollie Potok. His parents were immigrants from Poland. His father was a watchmaker and jeweler. Potok’s family were Hasidic Jews. Hasidism is a Jewish religious movement that came from Eastern Europe in the eighteenth century. Potok studied his faith and read many books written in Hebrew. His Hebrew name was Chaim, and he used that instead of Herman. He had many rules to follow in his home including what to wear and what to eat. His community was very close, but Potok wanted to learn about people who lived outside his small world.  Chaim Potok always challenged himself to take on what was difficult. He began writing when he was 16 years old. He enjoyed reading different kinds of books. Reading taught him that there was a whole world outside of his experience. He went to college and graduated with a degree in English literature. He continued his education and earned degrees in Hebrew literature and theology, or the study of religious beliefs. He became a Rabbi (a Jewish scholar and teacher).  In 1954, he joined the army as a chaplain who performed religious services and offered comfort to the soldiers fighting in the Korean War. Potok learned about many different religions while he was in Korea including Confucianism, Buddhism and Christianity. This experience helped him, and he was eager to learn more.  Potok wrote many books, plays and essays. His most famous book was The Chosen. It was so popular it was turned into a movie. This book told the story of two boys living in Brooklyn who became friends even though they were from different backgrounds. The themes in the book include a caring heart is more important than being the best student, and that even though parents and children may not agree, the bond of love is stronger than any differences.  Potok also wrote several children’s books. All of the books helped children deal with difficult issues. The Tree of Here is about a boy who has to move to Boston and leave his friends behind. The Sky of Now tells the story of a boy who overcomes his fears so he could one day achieve his dream of being a pilot.

Please read this passage from one of Potok’s book. Think about the different events in each paragraph. What lesson does Potok learn? How does it help him?