Potok, Chaim.

Chaim Potok was born on 17 February 1929 in the Bronx, New York, to Benjamin Max Potok and Mollie Friedman Potok, who raiseds the eldest of their four children in the Orthodox Jewish faith. Potok attended Orthodox schools and graduated college with a degree in liberal arts and theology as a Conservative rabbi. After serving in the United States Army as a chaplain in Korea from 1955 to 1957, he taught at the University of Judaism and married Adena Sara Mosevitzsky in 1958. In 1966, after receiving his Ph.D. in philiosophy from the University of Pennsylvania, Potok became editior of the Jewish Publication Society and later served as special projects editior. Potok published his first novel, The Chosen, in 1967. He worked in many genres, including novels, short stoires, and plays, as well as essays, reviews, and editiorials. Potok was also a visiting professor, delivered many lectures and sermons, and held exhbitions as a painter.

From the description of Chaim Potok papers, 1954-2002. (University of Pennsylvania Library). WorldCat record id: 692195042

Author and artist Chaim Potok was born in New York City, and educated at Yeshiva University, the Jewish Theological Seminary, and the University of Pennsylvania. Raised by an Orthodox Jewish family, he was inspired as a youth to write, against the wishes of his family and teachers. Ordained as a Conservative Jewish rabbi, he had a long career in education before publishing his first novel, The Chosen, in 1967. Other popular novels followed, as well as several non-fiction books and three books of children's stories. His writings often explore the Jewish experience and the conflict between secular and religious commitments.

From the description of Chaim Potok letter to Dan Walden, 1989 July 2. (Pennsylvania State University Libraries). WorldCat record id: 67710369