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Shlomo Kalo
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Kalo, 2003

Shlomo Kalo (Hebrew: שלמה קאלו; February 25, 1928 – August 30, 2014) was a writer and microbiologist. He published approximately 80 fiction and nonfiction books in Hebrew, some of which are published in translation internationally.

Biography

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Shlomo Kalo was born on 25 February 1928, in Sofia, Bulgaria. At the age of 12, Kalo joined the anti-Fascist underground in Bulgaria. Aged 15, when Bulgaria was under Nazi occupation, Kalo was imprisoned in an improvised concentration camp in Somovit.",[1] Aged 18, in 1946, he won a prize in a poetry competition and went to Prague, where he studied medicine at the Charles University, worked as a freelance journalist and wrote short stories.

When the state of Israel was founded in 1948, Shlomo Kalo joined the Mahal ("Volunteers from abroad": individuals outside Israel who volunteered to fight together with the Israeli forces in its war of independence) and was trained as a pilot in Olomouc, Czechoslovakia. In 1949, at the age of 21 he immigrated to Israel. In 1958 he got his M.Sc. in microbiology at the Tel Aviv University. For 26 years till his retirement (in 1988) he worked as director of the medical laboratories of Kupat Holim Klalit health services, in Rishon-leZion. His first book in Hebrew, a collection of short stories, was published in 1954 by "Sifriyat ha-Poalim".

In 1969, a sharp turn in his life occurred (described in the last pages of his autobiographic novel "Erral"). It affected his life, thoughts and literary activity ever since. Kalo wrote about it: "First Sunday of the year 1969 AD, twelve noon. Body tensed like a bow-string. Not he. Warmth rising from the region of the heart. Not he. He stopped being what he was. He will no longer be as he was, forever and ever, for all eternity. He was, he is, he will be, forever and ever, for all eternity."[2] In 1979 an informal group known as "DAAT" (Hebrew acronym, meaning knowledge, standing for "know yourself always") formed around Shlomo Kalo. This group had a varying number of members or supporters till it disbanded in 2009. Some well-known and influential journalists and artists (Shlomo Bar-Abba, Odetta Schwartz and Rivka Zohar, for example) were associated at times with the group.

In 2009, the Israeli newspaper Ha'aretz reported that rumours were persistent that Shlomo Kalo was among few Israeli writers who had been shortlisted as candidates for the Nobel Prize for Literature,[3] similar reports were made by other news sites in 2010[4] and in 2011.[5]

Shlomo Kalo was married to Rivka Zohar-Kalo, a prominent Israeli singer, who performs and records, among others, songs he has written (music and lyrics).[6] Shlomo Kalo died at his home on August 30, Shabbat morning. His wife said on a Channel 2 TV interview[7] that his summarizing last words were: "Everything is excellent to the one who is not subjugated".


He was the grandfather of Israeli-American blues-rock musician Bat-Or Kalo, who performs under the name KALO.[8]


Literary activity

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In the 1960s two other works of his were published by "Am Oved" and won great appreciation. In 1969 he established a publishing house named "DAAT Publications", from which he retired after a few years, though he continued to publish most of his following titles there. During the 1970s he translated into Hebrew classical writings of Far-Eastern schools such as: Patanjeli's Yoga verses, The Bhagavadgita, Budha's Dhamapada, Tao-Te-Ching and others. During these years and later in the 1980s Kalo published several nonfiction titles dealing with philosophical, moral and spiritual topics (two out of his seven volumes of lectures were published in this decade). Some other titles were literary fiction about a philosophical issue ("The Self as Fighter", "The Gospel of the Absolute Free Will" and the novel "Like the Scarlet Thread"). A lot of his music and songs were written in this period.

During the following two decades Kalo continued to write prolifically in a variety of genres and styles. In the 1990s his first titles written in a newly introduced genre (the so-called "documented" stories) were published: "Forevermore" and "Moments of Truth", as well as his best-selling historical novel title "The Chosen", printed in first edition. During these two decades translation rights of some of his books were sold over in 17 countries.

Short stories written by Shlomo Kalo were published in literary magazines in Israel, among them literary supplements of large newspapers. Some of his stories were included in various anthologies celebrating Israel's Jubilee year and other occasions.[9]

Prof. Gershon Shaked (Hebrew University) maintains in his Modern Fiction study (Indiana University, 2000; p 102-3) that Kalo's book "The Heap" marked 'two turning points in Hebrew Literary History; the beginning of modernist fiction in Israel, and the advent of Sephardi and Ashkenazi authors who wrote about the immigrant Sephardic community'. "The Heap," prof. Shaked continues, "has a special place in the history of Hebrew fiction because it is a neo-modernist social protest of an immigrant author". The novel is built around a number of immigrants who, reflecting their existential crisis, 'embody the archetype of human failure'.

Some 40 out of Kalo's 80 titles were published during the years 2000–2011.

Other activities

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1988 was the year when the extensive media exposure of Shlomo Kalo's contemplative and spiritual lifework began. Since that time, messages and solutions to a variety of issues have been both aired by national TV and radio channels, and widely covered by the press.[10]

During the Kosovo Crisis in 1999 Shlomo Kalo was the most prominent Israeli intellectual who publicly protested against US and NATO military attacks on Yugoslavia.[11]

Bibliography

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References

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Sources

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  • DAT Publications' archive
  • Shaked, Gershon; Miller Budick, Emily: Modern Hebrew fiction. Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 2000. – ISBN 978-0-253-33711-5. S. 184
  • Royle, Nicholas: 'The Dollar and the Gun' . In: Time Out, 23 Juli 2003, S. 58
[edit]
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Shlomo Kalo

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Shlomo Kalo (February 25, 1928 – August 30, 2014) was an Israeli writer, poet, and microbiologist known for his prolific career producing novels, short stories, parables, autobiographical works, and spiritual-philosophical texts. His writing frequently merged literary fiction with deep explorations of philosophy, spirituality, Biblical inspiration, and humor, establishing him as a distinctive voice in modern Hebrew literature. Kalo's body of work included approximately 80 titles published through D.A.T Publications, covering genres such as historical novels, coming-of-age stories, Holocaust literature, thrillers with spiritual elements, and inspirational Biblical commentary. Notable among his translated works were historical novels like The Chosen (including volumes The Youth, The Prophet, and A Man Much Loved), autobiographical novels such as Athar and Erral, short story collections including The Dollar and the Gun and Kidnap, parables in The Trousers, and humorous fiction like The Fantastical Adventures of Leutenlieb of the House of Munchausen. Many of his books have been translated into English and other languages, broadening his reach beyond Israel. His literature often reflected a profound engagement with spiritual and existential questions, drawing on diverse influences to create narratives that combined introspection, moral inquiry, and imaginative storytelling. Kalo also established D.A.T Publications to support his and related works, contributing to the dissemination of his ideas and writings.

Early life

Childhood in Bulgaria and wartime experiences

Shlomo Kalo was born in 1928 in Sofia, Bulgaria. At the age of 12, he joined the anti-fascist underground amid Bulgaria's alignment with the Axis powers and the onset of World War II. This early activism reflected his opposition to the fascist regime and its policies. In 1943, at the age of 15, Kalo was arrested under the Nazi-supporting Bulgarian regime and imprisoned in the Somovit concentration camp, an internment facility used for those deemed seditious, including anti-fascist activists. He endured forced labor and harsh conditions during his imprisonment, surviving until the camp's liberation toward the end of the war in 1944 when Bulgaria switched sides and withdrew from the Axis alliance. These wartime experiences in childhood profoundly influenced his later life, including his post-war Zionist involvement that contributed to his immigration to Israel.

Post-war period, education, and immigration to Israel

After World War II, Shlomo Kalo continued his pursuit of literary interests, winning a prize in a poetry competition in 1946 at the age of 18. This recognition led him to relocate to Prague, where he enrolled in medical studies at Charles University (also known as Karl University). While in Prague, he worked as a freelance journalist to support himself and began writing short stories, marking his early engagement with fiction. These literary efforts in Prague served as a precursor to his first book publication in 1954, though his medical education remained incomplete, with no degree earned from Charles University. With the founding of the State of Israel in 1948, Kalo joined the Mahal, a group of overseas volunteers aiding the Israeli forces during the War of Independence. As part of this service, he underwent pilot training in Olomouc, Czechoslovakia. The following year, in 1949 at the age of 21, he permanently immigrated to Israel.

Scientific career

Microbiology studies and laboratory leadership

Shlomo Kalo earned his M.Sc. in microbiology from Tel Aviv University in 1958. He subsequently served as regional director of medical laboratories for Kupat Holim Klalit in Rishon LeZion from 1962 until his retirement in 1988, a tenure spanning 26 years. This position involved overseeing laboratory operations within Israel's largest health services organization, supporting diagnostic and medical needs in the region. His scientific career began alongside the early stages of his literary activities, which commenced in 1954.

Literary career

Early works and publishing beginnings

Shlomo Kalo entered Hebrew literature with the publication of his first book, the short story collection Kuhim BeYafo (Catacombs in Jaffa), in 1954 through Sifriat ha-Poalim. In the 1960s, he continued with two novels issued by Am Oved: ha-Aremah (The Heap) in 1962, described as a novel in stories, and Lev ha-Basar (The Heart of Flesh) in 1966. These early publications established him with major Israeli publishers of the era and marked his initial presence in the literary scene. From the outset of his career, Kalo's works garnered appreciation from readers and critics for his narrative voice and portrayal of characters' inner lives and struggles. His early prose showed distinctive characteristics, with ha-Aremah reflecting an experimental approach to form. In 1969, Kalo founded DAAT Publications (הוצאת דע"ת), which issued the majority of his later books after he retired from managing it.

Major novels, genres, and prolific output

Shlomo Kalo was one of the more prolific Hebrew-language authors of his generation, publishing approximately 80 books across diverse genres that included novels, short stories, parables, documented stories, autobiographical novels, and philosophical reflections. His creative output was particularly high in later years, with about 40 titles published between 2000 and his death in 2014. Among his major novels are ha-Aremah (1962), an early work that established his narrative voice, ha-Nivḥar (The Chosen, 1994), Lili (2008), and ha-Na'ar ha-Hungari (The Hungarian Boy, 2009). Kalo introduced the genre of "documented stories," which combines factual reporting with literary storytelling to explore human experiences and truths. His extensive body of work reflects a sustained commitment to literary production across multiple decades, with many titles gaining recognition in Hebrew literature. Some of these works have been translated into other languages.

Translations, international reach, and recognition

Shlomo Kalo translated several Eastern spiritual classics into Hebrew during the 1970s, including Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, the Bhagavad Gita (with translation and introductory remarks by Kalo), the Tao Te Ching, and selections from the Dhammapada (titled Mipi Buddha: Likut Pesukim mi-Tokh Derekh ha-Emet). Kalo's original works achieved notable international reach, with some translated and published in 17 countries spanning from Korea to most of Europe and South America. Many titles have been made available in English and other languages through D.A.T. Publications. Persistent rumors circulated since 2009 in the Israeli press and various international news sites suggesting that Kalo was nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature on multiple occasions, including around 2009–2011, though these claims remain unconfirmed and unsubstantiated by official announcements. Kalo appeared in Israeli media through interviews on national radio and television programs as well as features in major newspapers. His short stories appeared in nearly all literary magazines and literary supplements in Israel.

Spiritual transformation and teachings

The 1969 inner change

In 1969, Shlomo Kalo underwent a profound inner transformation on the first Sunday of the year at twelve noon, when he was 41 years old. He later described this event in his autobiographical work Erral (2004) as the moment he "stopped being what he was." This experience marked a decisive shift in his personal orientation, leading him to redirect his focus toward contemplative and philosophical pursuits in his subsequent writing. The transformation occurred during a routine bus ride to work, representing a sudden moment of enlightenment that fundamentally altered his perception of self and existence. Kalo's own account emphasizes the precise timing and abrupt nature of the change, without elaborating on mystical or external details beyond its internal impact. This pivotal event set the stage for developments in his thought a decade later, including the formation of the DAAT group.

DAAT group and philosophical contributions

In 1979, Shlomo Kalo founded an informal spiritual group known as DAAT, a Hebrew acronym standing for "da' et atzmecha tamid" or "know yourself always." The group, based in Jaffa, brought together followers from diverse backgrounds, including journalists, artists, and singers such as Rivka Zohar and Shlomo Bar-Abba. The DAAT group focused on teachings that stressed self-knowledge as the core path to spiritual growth, the inherent joy discovered through truth, and the rejection of subjugation to any external authority, institution, or guru. Kalo's philosophical contributions in this context emphasized truth-seeking through personal inquiry and inner freedom, avoiding dogmatic structures and promoting direct experiential understanding over belief systems. Among his notable nonfiction works associated with these ideas is ha-Emet hi ḥedṿah (The Truth Is Joy), published in 1989, which articulated the principle that genuine encounter with truth brings profound joy rather than fear or suffering. Kalo also shared numerous aphorisms that encapsulated the group's philosophy, serving as concise guides to self-awareness and liberation from illusion. The group remained active until 2009, during which period its gatherings and teachings influenced participants through discussions and shared reflections. His teachings began receiving media coverage from 1988 onward.

Personal life

Family, marriages, and collaborations

Shlomo Kalo was married twice, first to Rachel and later to the prominent Israeli singer Rivka Zohar. Kalo met Rivka Zohar and they were married for more than 20 years until his death in 2014. Kalo collaborated closely with Rivka Zohar on musical projects, writing lyrics for several songs she performed and recorded. These include "כלת מלך" (King's Bride), "אבי הטוב שבשמיים" (My Good Father in Heaven), "סיפור על ציפור" (A Story About a Bird), and "לחיות אותם עד תום" (To Live Them to the End), among others from a body of 11 credited lyrics. He was the grandfather of the Israeli-American blues-rock musician Bat-Or Kalo, who performs under the name KALO and grew up in Haifa. In 2012, Kalo appeared alongside Rivka Zohar in the documentary The Way Back: Rivka Zohar Returns to New York.

Media appearances and public presence

Shlomo Kalo maintained a notably reserved public presence, generally avoiding extensive media engagement despite his prolific literary and spiritual output. He was known to usually refuse interviews with the media. Nonetheless, he did participate in several interviews on Israeli national television and radio programs, as well as in major newspapers, particularly after his spiritual transformation in 1969 and the subsequent dissemination of his teachings beginning in the late 1980s. Kalo's direct involvement in visual media remained minimal, with his only documented screen appearance as himself in the 2012 documentary The Way Back: Rivka Zohar Returns to New York (Hebrew: Lashuv BeChzara: Rivka Zohar Chozeret Le New York), directed by Avida Livny. The film examines the life of his wife, singer Rivka Zohar, presenting Kalo as a spiritual teacher and one of the three defining forces in her life alongside her singing career and past struggles with addiction. In 1999, during the Kosovo Crisis, Kalo voiced public opposition to the NATO bombing campaign against Yugoslavia, issuing a manifesto titled "As a Human Being and as a Jew" that appeared in the press. Following his death in 2014, his wife Rivka Zohar discussed his final words and summarizing message in an interview on Israel's Channel 2 television program Medabrim Al Zeh. His name also appeared periodically amid recurring rumors about potential Nobel Prize in Literature nominations, though such coverage remained speculative and did not lead to formal recognition.

Death and legacy

Final years and death

Shlomo Kalo remained active in his writing during his final years, continuing his prolific output of fiction and nonfiction works in Hebrew up until his death. He died peacefully at his home in Tel Aviv-Yafo on August 30, 2014, which fell on Shabbat morning. His last words, as reported by family sources, were: "Everything is excellent to the one who is not subjugated."

Posthumous influence and recognition

Following his death in 2014, Shlomo Kalo's extensive literary and philosophical output has remained accessible through the ongoing activities of his publisher, הוצאת דע"ת (Daat Publishing), which continues to sell his books and related materials via its official online store. This includes physical copies, audio discs, and other items associated with his writings, ensuring sustained availability in Hebrew for readers interested in his contemplative literature, fiction, and spiritual guidance. Several of his works have been released or made more widely available in digital formats posthumously, such as Kindle editions of titles like The Day Is Coming, which became accessible on international platforms after his passing. His author biography on such platforms highlights his prolific career, noting approximately 80 published titles across diverse genres, a body of work that continues to underpin his recognition as a significant Israeli novelist and thinker within spiritual and New Age circles. The Daat group, closely tied to his publishing house and teachings, persists in promoting his philosophical contributions and spiritual insights, serving as the primary vehicle for his ongoing influence among followers. References to Kalo's ideas appear in occasional Hebrew-language articles and blog discussions on psychology, spirituality, and Jewish thought published after 2014, reflecting a niche but enduring presence in conversations about enlightenment, self-knowledge, and related themes. This limited but persistent engagement indicates that his legacy remains primarily within dedicated spiritual communities rather than broad public or academic recognition.
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