Because of his membership in a Zionist youth group, when he was 17 years old he was able to immigrate to what was then British Mandate Palestine (now the modern day state of Israel). He moved alone, without his family, and joined a kibbutz. Shortly after his immigration in 1941, his family was taken to Auschwitz concentration camp, where they were killed. Ruebner was filled with grief, and the sense of tragedy is evident in much of his poetry, with loss and destruction being frequent themes.

Since 1957, Ruebner has published 15 poetry collections, which often blend classical and modern Hebrew. Earlier this year, the book “In the Illuminated Dark” was released, which features a selection of his poems that have been translated into English.

In recent years, Ruebner has received several honors for his work. In 2008, he was awarded the Israel Prize for Hebrew poetry.

In addition to writing poetry, Ruebner has also written an autobiography and published a book of photographs taken in Israel, Europe, and around the world. He has also worked as a translator and is professor emeritus of comparative literature at Haifa University. He currently lives with his wife on Kibbutz Merhavia in northern Israel.
One of his poems:

Translated from Hebrew by Rachel Tzvia Back.

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