Chaim Potok biography

Chaim Potok
At Writers Theatre: The Chosen

Chaim Potok began his career as a novelist in 1967 with the publication of The Chosen. The book was a success, generating a film adaption in 1981 and even a previous musical version for the stage. In 1969, he wrote a sequel, The Promise. Subsequent novels are My Name is Asher Lev, In the Beginning, The Book of Lights, Davita's Harp, The Gift of Asher Lev, I Am The Clay and his last book, a collection of three novellas called Old Men At Midnight. His body of work also contains many nonfiction publications and several books for children. Other works for theatre include Out of Depths, Sins of the Father and The Play of Lights. He served as editor for both Conservative Judaism and The Jewish Publication Society. In addition to his writing, Potok was an ordained rabbi and held a Doctorate of Philosophy from the University of Pennsylvania. He lived in Merion, Pennsylvania until 2002 and is survived by his wife Adena and their children Rena, Naama and Akiva.

[Bio as of August 2006]