Today, Norm Goldman, Editor of Bookpleasures.com is pleased to have as a guest, Ilil Arbel, who is the author of The Lemon Tree, as well as Maimonides: A Spiritual Biography and other books. 

 

Norm: When did your passion for writing begin and why did you write The Lemon Tree? 

Ilil:I always loved writing, but actually it is my second career. I started out as a scientific illustrator. This work involves research and writing, and as the years passed, I realized that the writing part meant more to me than the illustration, and I made a complete career change. The Lemon Tree was always on my mind. Ida, the narrator, is my mother, and since my early childhood she told me the stories of her life in Siberia, the loss of her brother, and the journey the family had undertaken as pioneers to Israel. I hesitated for years, but finally I felt that the time had come to do it. Life is short, and I did not want this story to be lost. 

Norm: What challenges or obstacles did you encounter while writing your book? How did you overcome these challenges?

Ilil: The greatest challenge was the sad fact that my mother is no longer with us. I often felt that if only I could hop over to see her and ask a question, when in doubt, or even just pick up the phone, it would have been so wonderful. To be honest, it was emotionally difficult sometimes. However, I stuck to it, since getting this book out meant a lot to me. The second challenge was maintaining my mother’s “voice.” She was a marvellous storyteller, and I did not want to drown her tale in my own style, which is somewhat different. This required thought and often some revisions, but since I remember her stories so well, I could accomplish it. 

Norm: Do you believe that all memoir is a process of researching one’s own life-by rethinking, re-imagining, perhaps revising, because seeing the past anew is often viewing it more clearly? Please comment, if you agree with the above statement. 

Ilil: I agree with the researching, imagining and revising, but I am not sure the past is seen more clearly while creating your memoirs. I think it takes up an element of a dream, or even a myth,  to a certain extent. Of course, I can only know for sure if I ever write my own memoirs. In The Lemon Tree, I wrote my mother’s memoirs, so the mental process was of course somewhat different.

Norm: Would you know what the Wissotzskys family’s situation was at the time they left Siberia-were they being persecuted- was Dr.Wissotzsky still permitted to practice as a dentist?

Ilil: Dr. Wissotzky was watched closely because it became known that he was a Zionist. He was never physically hurt, and he was permitted to practice dentistry, but he was often called to the police station and it was nerve wrecking. He knew that he was under observation. The police never bothered Hadassa Wissotzky, since women were generally not involved. It was a frightening mind game. You never knew when you would be arrested, and getting out of the country was something that many Jews considered a good idea.

Norm: In your book that apparently commences in 1918, it appears that Jewish people in Siberia do not seem to have too many difficulties and they are even permitted to practice the liberal professions such as dentistry. When did their difficulties begin?

Ilil: I can only say what happened to the Wissotzky family, who lived in the town of Biysk. The problems started at different times in various parts in Siberia, since such situations are never simultaneous. But the real trouble in Biysk started in 1918, as the war ended.

Norm: It would appear, that contrary to what many of us would have believed, the Wissotzskys led a fairly comfortable life in Siberia up to their departure for Israel in 1919. How common was this among Jewish families at the time?

Ilil: Up to this point life in Biysk was downright pleasant. Many Jews lived in excellent financial conditions, practicing professions and owning businesses. I remember being told of social activities, parties, teas and dinners, amateur theatricals, poetry reading, book circles – all the typical Russian pursuits.

Norm: You refer to the “third wave of immigration” to Israel. Please explain to our readers what this means?

Ilil: The Aliya – the return of the Jews to Israel – happened over a long time, starting in the late 19^th Century. Historically, it is divided into six groups, five Aliyas and one Ha’apalah (clandestine immigration). Some people refer to the groups as “waves of immigration.” The first wave was 1882-1903. The second, 1904-1914. The third wave, which was the one the Wissotzkys joined, took place in 1919-1923. The fourth 1924-1928. The fifth, 1929-1939. The sixth, 1934-1948.

Norm: How long did it take you to gather your material to write the book, and how long did it take you to put it down on paper? What was your “modus operandi?”

Ilil: I heard the stories for decades, since I was a small child. You must understand that I was a  “story hound” and could never get enough, and my memory for stories is very good. I had additional material from my grandparents and aunt, and I remember Dr. Wissotzky’s ability to tell stories and draw pictures very well, even though he died when I was very young. They were all amazing storytellers – I was very lucky in that. About twenty years ago I asked my mother to give me some notes, so that the story won’t get lost. Between the notes and the oral tales, I had all the information I needed. In addition, I had the old photographs, which I thought were essential to bring the book alive. I started putting it down on paper about five years ago. This involved translating the notes, adding the oral material, and weaving the thread of the lemon tree as the theme of the story. 

Norm: How good was the memory of the principal narrator of your story, and how did you go about testing it against other sources? 

Ilil: Her memory was excellent. In addition, such adventures and troubles, at such an early age, leave a strong imprint on anyone’s psyche. I did not test the stories against other sources, with the exception of bare historical facts, such as the war, the dates, the situation on the Trans-Siberian lines, etc.  These plain facts were checked against history books and the atlas. These were personal memories, and all I wanted was to put them down the way the character remembered them. As a member of the Association of Personal Historians, I hear this question and read the arguments for and against testing memoirs all the time. I belong with the side that claims that it’s not the politics or history of the time that matters, but the personal view of the individual telling the tale.

Norm: What is next for Ilil Arbel?

Ilil: I am always involved in multiple projects. At present, I am translating the novels of Dr. Wissotzky: Tel-Aviv and Green Flame. He wrote several books, but they never appeared in English, only in Russian and in Hebrew. They are wonderful novels describing the pioneer families, and they really belong with The Lemon Tree. I hope to publish them together at some point, and I’d like to call the book The Aliya Trilogy.In addition, I am working on a biography of Hillel the Elder, based on the synthesis of his legends and the violent and exciting history of his time.