I never really paid attention to the human figures on banknotes, until recently when I wished to get a closer look at the face of the poetess, Rachel, on the 20 NIS (new israeli shekel) paper bill.
I was surprised there was no mention of her name, only a line from one of her poems "And Perhaps", (poem that had been turned into one of the most beautiful, beloved Israeli song of all times).
I checked the other three banknotes with poet figures : Saul Tchernichovsky on the green 50 NIS banknote, Leah Goldberg on the orange 100 NIS banknote, Natan Alterman on the blue 200 NIS banknote. No names, only a line from their work on the back of the banknote.
There was one name ,though, on the paper bills, the name of economist Karnit Flog, Bank of Israel Governor at the time of the emission of the poets' banknote series in 2014-2017. I found that rather unfair and frustrating. However, maybe, there's a reason for not mentioning the poets' names - I'll have to try and find out what it is.
Rachel Bluwstein (1890-1931) known by her first name 'Rachel', interests me not only for her lovely, simple poems, but also as a woman, and as a person with a tragic life (she died untimely of tuberculosis). Lake Kinneret (The Sea of Galilee) was her whole world (and she was buried close to it).
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"And Perhaps" (Ve Ulai) - lyrics
And perhaps, these things never happened, never existed
And perhaps, I never rose at dawn to work in the field with my own hands, by the sweat of my brow
On the long, blazing days of harvest / while on top of a cart with sheaves/ I never did raise my voice in song
Never did I purify myself with innocence, in the azure waters of my Kinneret
Oh, my Kinneret / were you real or was it my dream?
singer Ester Ofarim
A beautiful poem, Duta. Thank you for sharing it with ua.
ReplyDeleteAre the stones on top of her grave laid there one by one by mourners? I seem to remember a custom like that. If so, why do they do it?
Yes, Sandi. Both The poem and its (video) song version are beautiful!
DeleteIn the jewish tradition, people leave a small stone on the headstone to honor the deceased, and as a sign that they've paid a visit. I do this, too.
Rachel's grave is a place of pilgrimage to many, so I gather the adjacent kibbutz which takes care of the place, has arranged a stone container.
Interesting!
DeleteYou mean the stone tradition? The little stones are also practical. If you leave flowers they stain the covering stone . If you bring artificial flowers they get stolen (yes, even at cemeteries there are thefts).
DeleteI think most of us take our notes...money notes...for granted and rarely take note of the images upon the notes.
ReplyDeleteThese days when cash is rarely used less attention is paid, no doubt.
I hope an interest in and love for poetry is still being instilled in the children of today.
Take good care, DUTA. :)
True. We live in the digital era, with cash notes signalling retreat.
DeleteI'm afraid poetry is less appreciated nowadays, both by adults and by youngsters. I hope I'm wrong.
RIP Rachel.
ReplyDeleteMay she indeed rest in peace! Her relatively short life (died at 41) was not a happy one. Born in Russia she came to what was then Palestine, felt attracted to the land, so she studied agriculture; had some unhappy relationships, got Tuberculosis and had to wander among places. Working in the field and lake Kinneret were her greatest loves.
DeleteBeautiful portaits!
ReplyDeleteThe reason we celebrate important people of literature, and women especially, is to ensure that every citizen is aware of their contribution to the nation's culture. Otherwise that could disappear into history as so many others did.
Exactly! It's important that people know about the contribution of these prominent figures to the country's culture.
DeleteHow does the not mentioning of their names on the notes help? It doesn't.
No name on Notes, it's a talking point, maybe people are supposed to know their names but it certainly in my book and oversight not to name people on Notes.
ReplyDeleteMargaret, you're entitled to an opinion.
ReplyDeleteI personally feel bad with the fact that their name is not mentioned on the banknote. They should be remembered in any way possible.
It seems only right to me to credit a note with the name of the poet. We are moving towards times when paper money will be a thing of the past though, shops here are asking for card only payments since Covid arrived. Our notes are quite boring in the UK, I would like to see lyrics to songs, famous quotes and more colour on our bank notes though :)
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with you, Betty.
DeleteI find it hard to believe that cash will be a thing of the past, but who knows, gradually, not at once, it could happen.
I too would be interested to know why the names were not mentioned. Very soon, we will have to do away with paper currency and join the cashless society.
ReplyDeleteWe'll be facing two major changes - both are bad for us: Climate Change and Monetary Change.May God protect us and help us! Only He can. We ordinary people are helpless.
DeleteSuch a poignant post. Thanks for posting this wonderful poem too. It's such an interesting history and I am glad women in literature are a part of it too.
ReplyDeleteThank you for reading and commenting. I've come to greatly appreciate women and their contribution to all the aspects of human society.
DeleteThat poem is beautiful. You have the best looking money. We've had the same old people on for ages and it has seemed like a world war to try to change one bill to Harriet Tubman. Rachel is lovely and so is her work. Thanks for sharing it. and happy week to you!
ReplyDeleteRachel is definitely good-looking! Men also thought so, but made her unhappy.
DeleteAnyway, I like the banknote with her face on it. The simplicity that characterizes her poems has its roots in her love for the land, for agriculture.
Happy week to you too,Jeanie!
Beautifully and sensitively sung from the heart by this lady, and seemed to reflect our dilemma in trying to reach out to God when everything around us is falling apart. Vx
ReplyDeleteHi Vera,
DeleteI used to sing it myself, quite often when I was younger. I liked to sing and I liked the song.
The singer in the video is an israeli who lives in Germany. She was also famous in England, with a song called Cinderella, Rockefella which was performed as a duet with her ex, late husband Avi Ofarim in 1968. It was quite a hit!
It has been a while since I touched banknotes or coins.
ReplyDeleteYour post made me think of our own bills and coins. All the coins and the $20 bill have the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, for instance. Some have prime ministers, the Canadarm, the Canadian National Vimy Memorial, an icebreaker... I now feel like exploring other currencies. :)
I'm glad my post has reminded you of your country's currency and made you wish to explore the topic further. It could be interesting . After all, it's money that fuels people and their countries.
DeleteYesterday, when I read this post, I "googled" this poet. Read a few articles and heard the song which I liked very much.
ReplyDeleteThank you for reading and showing interest in the poet and the song.
DeleteThe singer is a bit dramatic; she was younger at the time of this video, but her voice was and remained amazing.
Very interesting to read about the poet
ReplyDeleteIndeed, Ashouk. When she got Tuberculosis, she had to wander among places as this is an infectious disease, and people kept away from her. The disease led to her isolation.
DeleteThere is an important israeli military historian by the name of Uri Milshtein. Rachel was the sister of his grandmother, so he mentioned her in his writings and interviews.She was childless and he feels he should be the one to remind us of her.
That's the first time I see an Israelian banknote !! Looks a bit like our 20 Euro note ! I remember very well Esther & Abi Ofarim I always heard the two, Esther alone I can't remember but they were very famous in the 60th in Germany !
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you remember the Ofarim couple. We were so proud of them, and of their big success in Europe!
DeleteShe was the voice, he was everything else, but together they were a Hit. They they split, he died(rip). She lives in Germany.
I must admit I don't really look that closely at bank notes ...
ReplyDeleteI too remember Esther and Abi Ofarim, they were a successful couple.
All the best Jan
We usually wish the banknotes to buy with them, not to study them.
DeleteThe Brits were 'mad' about the Ofarim couple, as were lots of other europeans.
It's always fun to see what the paper money from other places looks like.
ReplyDeleteIt sure is. And interesting,of course, as one learns about the monetary system in other countries.
DeleteBoa tarde Duta. Considero sua matéria, uma oportunidade de eu aprender sobre novas culturas.
ReplyDeleteTrue. Money is an important matter in any society. In my post, I took the opportunity to touch it in regards to my society.
DeleteGracias, Duta, por tan interesante entrada, que es una muestra más de lo observadora que eres, incluso, de lo cotidiano que pasa a diario por nuestras manos, y que nadie se fija en ello.
ReplyDeleteYo también pienso que es injusto pero, seguro que esa economista desconocida, para satisfacer su ego, necesita que su nombre aparezca en el billete, y Raquel, no, ya que con tan solo unos simples versos, todo el mundo la identifica.
He echado una ojeada a los billetes españoles, y solamente he encontrado un billete con el rostro de una mujer, de 1979, que es de Rosalia de Castro, también poetisa, y un ejemplo más del machismo que imperado en el mundo, y que hoy, gracias a Dios, se está corrigiendo, aunque sea más lentamente de lo que a mi me gustaría.
El poema es precioso, y la canción interpretada por esa dulce voz, y acompañada del violonchelo, es una maravilla.
Un abrazo.
Thank you for your very kind words.
DeleteI totally agree with you on the anomaly regarding the mentioning of names on the banknotes above - the lady economist's name,yes, the poet's name,no.
I'm glad the spanish poet and novelist
Rosalia de Castro was honored with having her face on a banknote.
It makes me happy to know you've enjoyed the musical performance (singer Ester Ofarim) of the poem written by Rachel.
It sounds like a lovely poem and it's so nice that she is on your notes although I agree it seems strange that her name is not there!
ReplyDeleteHope you have a good weekend ahead of you! Going to be a busy but fun one here with a few events!
Away From The Blue
Yes, Mica, it is both a lovely poem and song! I'm glad you like it.
DeleteWishing you a good weekend as well!
Good to see poet's pictures on bank notes. Not a done thing here.
ReplyDeleteOf course it's good. It's a decent way of honoring these talented people who had greatly contributed to the nation's culture.
Delete