Ofer Aderet: Unveiling the Histories

Biography

Ofer Aderet was born and raised in Tel Aviv. He hails from the Adret family, descendants of Rabbi Solomon ben Adret (Rashba), who immigrated to the Land of Israel in the 19th century and served as the Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi of Jerusalem. His father, attorney Yura Aderet, is a prominent legal figure specializing in white-collar crime. His paternal grandfather, attorney Yitzhak Aderet, was among the early lawyers in the region. His mother, Rivka Aderet, works at the Museum of the Jewish Diaspora. Aderet attended the prestigious Leo Baeck High School, where he studied an extended curriculum focused on history.

In 1999, Aderet enlisted in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and served in the Research Division of the Intelligence Corps until 2002. He received a commendation from the head of the Research Division, Colonel Amos Gilad, for his exceptional service. From 2003 to 2007, he worked as an editor and writer for the "Walla!" website. Aderet holds a bachelor's degree in history and philosophy and a master's degree in history from Tel Aviv University. In 2007, he joined the "Haaretz" newspaper, initially as an editor for the news section and later as an editor for the "Haaretz" weekly supplement, "HaShavua."

In 2010, Aderet resided in Berlin under the sponsorship of the Ernst Cramer and Teddy Kollek Journalism Exchange Program. In 2011, he participated in the specialization program of the Bundesstag in Berlin. Since 2012, he has been a writer for "Haaretz" specializing in history. Aderet also writes the obituary section "Acharei Mot" and the weekly historical riddle "Who Was the Man?" in "Haaretz." The riddle provides clues about a historical figure that readers must identify. He often delves into topics related to Jewish history, the Holocaust, and Nazism in his articles.

Notable Contributions

One of Ofer Aderet's significant contributions was the revelation of the lost treasure of Franz Kafka. Aderet uncovered that upon Max Brod's death, Kafka's literary and biographical estate was bequeathed to his secretary, Esther Hoffe, who, in a manner akin to hoarding, kept the materials hidden from public access. Aderet's investigation led to a legal battle that eventually resulted in the decision to transfer Kafka's writings to the National Library.

In 2011, he served as the content editor for the documentary film "The Last Story of Kafka." Aderet also writes for "Yekinton," the magazine of the Central European Emigrants Association in Israel.

Personal Life

Ofer Aderet is married to Karolina Pasamonik-Aderet, a Polish Catholic journalist originally from Krakow. The couple raises their son, Michael, and embraces a shared Jewish-Christian way of life in their home.

Ofer Aderet's journalistic endeavors continue to illuminate the annals of history and shed light on significant figures and events, leaving an indelible mark on Israel's historical discourse.