Uriel Ofek

Ofek was born in Tel Aviv to the Yiddish poet Arie Popik, grew up in Giv'atayim and studied in Herzliya Hebrew Gymnasium. He served as a medic in the Palmach Brigades, 1944–1949, 1947–1949 Palestine war and served in Gush Etzion and was in Jordanian captivity, where he spent about nine months.

He edited the children's newspaper Davar L'iladim (children's supplement of Davar) for many years and laid the foundation for the Bibliography of Jewish children's literature, Hebrew and Yiddish, the global children's literature, both knees of children's literature.

He had a doctorate degree in children's literature from the University of Toronto.

Many of his books are based on experiences in childhood and youth in neighborhood Borochov in Giv'atayim, where he grew up. He describes landscapes, events and characters from the period preceding the establishment of Israel – the Slick of Aldema, Battles in Wadi Musrara, and the Seven Mills along the Yarkon river.

His widow, Bina Ofek, and two daughters, Atara Ofek and Amira Hachamowitz, are writers and editors for children as well.

Ofek died from leukemia in 1987 at the age of 61.

• In 1965, Ofek was awarded the Lamdan Prize for children's literature and youth for his book "Robinson to Lubengulu".
• In 1976, he won the Zeev Prize for literature for children and youth for his book "No secrets in the neighborhood".