Kressel, Getzel

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KRESSEL, GETZEL

KRESSEL, GETZEL (1911–1986), bibliographer and Hebrew writer. Born in Zabłotów, eastern Galicia, Kressel settled in Ereẓ Israel in 1930. From 1945 to 1951 he was one of the editors of Davar and of the Am Oved publications. He founded Genazim, the Biobibliographical Institute of the Association of Israel Writers, and was its director (1951–60), enriching its collection of manuscripts and letters. A methodical researcher, his most important work is Leksikon ha-Sifrut ha-Ivrit ba-Dorot ha-Aḥaronim ("Lexicon of Hebrew Literature in Recent Times," 1965–67). He also published Toledot ha-Ittonut ha-Ivrit be-Ereẓ Yisrael (1964), a history of journalism in Ereẓ Israel; various works on Zionism and on the history of the Yishuv, including Ereẓ Yisrael ve-Toledoteha (1943); and Em ha-MoshavotPetaḥ Tikvah (1954). He was editor of the Zionism division of the Encyclopaedia Judaica (first edition).

bibliography:

Tolkes, in: Bitzaron, 44 (1961), 109–12; idem, Sifrei G. Kressel (1968), bibliography; Orlan, in: Hadoar, 45 (1966), 153.

[Shimon Oren]