Yona Wallach

Israeli poet who revolutionized Hebrew literature with radical feminism

Yona Wallach (1944–1985) shattered linguistic taboos through experimental Hebrew poetry combining biblical allusions with erotic imagery. Her collection Wild Light introduced stream-of-consciousness techniques to Hebrew verse, challenging patriarchal norms in Israeli society.

Wallach's controversial poem 'Tefillin' compared religious phylacteries to sexual bondage devices, sparking nationwide debates about artistic freedom versus religious sensibilities. She collaborated with rock musicians, creating spoken-word performances that predated slam poetry movements.

Despite battling breast cancer, Wallach's final work Or Pere (Wild Light) redefined Hebrew's grammatical structures. The Tel Aviv street named in her honor symbolizes her enduring impact on modern Hebrew's evolution.