"In the Haredi Sector, There's a Dormant and Unrecognized Pool of Talented Female Creators Just Waiting to Be Discovered"

There are quite a few poetry enthusiasts in the Haredi community, but until now, they almost had no place to express themselves. Shulamit Orbach, an author and poetess, decided to take action and publish a first-of-its-kind magazine called "Yechida." This magazine, which is released monthly, is entirely dedicated to poetry, and all the writers are Haredi women.

"I have been involved in writing and poetry for years," Orbach recounts. "I have published two books for youth and adults. A suspense novel called "Electric Shock" was released when I was 17, and the book "Or Perhaps Not," which came out a few years ago and is a collection of stories I published in the Haredi press. Over the years, I have also published poems under my pen in various formats, in magazines, weeklies, and recently even recited them at women's poetry evenings. Writing and poetry are nourishment for my soul and drink for my spirit. This is not my main source of income; for that, I work as an employee in an office. But I cannot give up words, their creation and reading are my intoxicating drug and heal me in the demanding daily routine."

Where did the idea come from to publish a magazine dedicated entirely to Haredi women's poetry?

"Recently, I have become more and more connected to poetry and sought out other works by Haredi poetesses like myself. From a personal creation that comes from the deepest, most internal place, searching for a way to expose itself to readers, I eventually realized that there is a dormant and unrecognized pool of many creators in our sector, especially in poetry, who have not yet found the right platform to express their work, partly due to the lack of proper guidance and assistance. Since I am among my people, I decided to take the initiative and establish a magazine devoted entirely to distinguished women's poetry, aiming to offer a respectful and professional space for these creations."

Orbach emphasizes that the entire project is done voluntarily. "It's important to me to mention that I'm not seeking any financial profit. On the contrary, I dedicate many hours of my day to producing the issues, filtering the poems, editing, professional punctuation, proofreading, design, and layout. Everything is done by my two hands in the late night hours, with a lot of appreciation, patience, and love for the written word."

Why was it important to you to release an issue dedicated solely to Haredi poetry in general, and particularly to poetry written by women?

"The magazine was founded with a lot of will and thought, to address a focused and specific goal – the field of women's poetry, which I believe was somewhat neglected in our public space. There are wonderful literature lessons in seminaries, good poems appear occasionally in the current press, but in my opinion, it's just a small taste, almost unnoticed, from a rich and wide range that lacks sufficient awareness."

"As a Haredi woman – I came to solve the personal predicament I encountered, and to set this solution apart – from the endless existing press offerings. It’s important to me that the magazine does not get lost among the countless booklets and magazines – printed or digital – competing today for the Haredi reader's attention. Therefore, as you might have noticed, the magazine is completely ad-free. From start to finish, it is dedicated to poetry, poetry, and more poetry."

Orbach expresses genuine enthusiasm as she notes that she thinks female creators who observe the Torah and commandments have a lot to be proud of. "I think the creative women – who observe the commandments – have a lot to offer and be proud of," she says. "In fact, if you look at the two issues that have already been published, I think you'll agree with me."

When I ask her what she believes the role of poetry is in today's modern and weary world, it seems like she was just waiting for the opportunity to explain the place of poetry. "Poetry is a cultural commodity that the soul demands. Not everyone connects to written poetry, and that's their right. But there is a broad spectrum within the population, where poetry is like cold water on a tired soul. Moments of respite, moments of pleasure, in a computerized, digital, and intense world. After the first issue was published, I received enthusiastic feedback from readers from all over, clarifying how important this project was to them. For instance, someone wrote to me, and I quote her words as they are: 'Not long ago, for a workshop I was conducting, I needed to look elsewhere to sort poems that would convey the message I wanted, from various harsh and provocative words, I thought how unfortunate it is that there wasn't enough of our own quality poetry. Apparently, there is such poetry, and it was just looking for a home. This is truly a new message for the world of poetry in general, and for every lover of it in particular!'"

To read Issue No. 1 – Sivan 5778

To read Issue No. 2 – Av 5778

What are the criteria for selecting poems published in the issue?

"The criteria for accepting poems for publication are, first and foremost, high professional and literary standards, and suitability for the target audience of the issue. As the magazine's editor, I meticulously review each submitted poem. For a poem to be worthy of publication in the "Yechida" magazine, it must meet several conditions successfully: Firstly, the poem must be worthy of publication in terms of spirituality, religion, and faith. I had to reject poems due to one or two problematic words, which the poetess refused to replace. I respect the creator's decision, but I am committed to maintaining a high-quality filtering standard for my readers. Secondly, the poem must be of high literary quality, even if it doesn't match my personal taste or style. Additionally, the poem needs to fit one of the magazine's themes."

In each issue, Orbach explains, a call for submissions for the next issue is published, focusing on a specific theme according to the publication month. For example, the current issue published on Rosh Chodesh Av dealt with the relationship between the Ninth of Av and Tu B'Av – mourning and comfort, destruction and restoration, exile and redemption, longing and hope. In this issue, a "call for submissions" was published for the next issue – inspired by Rachel Imenu: about silence and surrender, longing for motherhood, tears, and prayer.

A small glimpse into the poems published in the issue revealed a beautiful poem written by poet Avital Keshet. Here it is for you:

Days and Circumstances / Avital Keshet

Perhaps, my grandmother, you will say days and think nights

And they will be in your eyes as one

And they bear bad tidings

You will see footprints

Disaster, thirst, and snakes

You will see

While the sun knocks

Full of rage upon cracked doors

When awakening arrives

Shrouded in silence

Immediately you will throw upon it

Full handfuls of salt and rights

So that nothing you desired to ask

May return to that abyss

And from the doorsteps will pour buckets of water and foreign rules

Women, men, and children

Will scrub away what has passed

To the key of the heart and the arches

Curses and spells will be removed

And the carpets will be rolled up like a golden mantle

You will tell me I did not wait for you in vain like this

Without gloves in the midst of life

After all, I always claimed that maybe exactly like this

In this suddenness

We will meet again

In the days of the Messiah

Facing those circumstances.