Dvora Waysman (Hebrew: דבורה וייזמן) is an Australian-Israeli author, journalist, and creative writing teacher. She was born Dorothy Opas in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, and made aliyah (immigrated) to Israel in 1971 with her husband and four children, settling in Jerusalem.
Biography
Waysman is a prolific writer whose works have been syndicated worldwide in over 20 publications. She is a regular contributor to The Jewish Press, writing on topics including travel, family life, and Jewish holidays, often drawing from her knowledge of Jewish history. She has taught creative writing and journalism for three decades.
Literary Works
Waysman is the author of nine published books, including:
- The Pomegranate Pendant (2007) — her novel that was adapted into a film, The Golden Pomegranate, which premiered at the Jerusalem Film Festival in 2012.
- Seeds of the Pomegranate — a sequel to The Pomegranate Pendant.
- Esther: A Jerusalem Love Story
- Woman of Jerusalem (1999) — a collection of poems reflecting on Jerusalem's Jewish history.
- In a Good Pasture (2008)
- My Jewish Days of the Week — a children's picture book.
- Jewish Detective Stories for Kids
Awards and Recognition
- 1981: Recipient of the "For Jerusalem" citation for her fiction, poems, and features about Jerusalem.
- 1988: Winner of the Seeff Award for Best Foreign Correspondent.
- 2014: The film The Golden Pomegranate, based on her book, won the Shabazi Prize for Literature and Art.
Personal Life
Waysman lives in the Beit Hakerem neighborhood of Jerusalem. She has four children and many grandchildren. As of 2021, she celebrated her 90th birthday.
