Vanishing Point
Arsa Schleyen
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Vanishing Point is a lyrical, autobiographical portrait of poet Arsa Schleyen’s later years. Through intimate and reflective writing, the book explores aging, family, solitude, memory, and the enduring need for love. It offers a candid look at the daily life of an elderly woman living in a senior residence in Israel in 2014—her physical pain, healthcare choices, routines, and the life experiences that continue to shape her identity. Tender, honest, and deeply human, the book captures both the fragility and resilience of life in old age.
Hebrew, Softcover, 204 pages, 14.8X21 cm, 5.8X8.2 in, 0.23 kg, 0.5 lbs, First Edition, 2014, ISBN/Code 978-965-7459-31-7
The idea of a vanishing point comes from drawing and painting: an imagined spot on the horizon where all lines converge, dissolve, and extend into infinity. Life’s crises led me to the page. At a time when my life felt suspended and uncertain, writing reopened my heart and brought me back to myself. In this book, as in my earlier work, I give voice to the hardships I have endured—and continue to endure—on the path toward healing my life, body, mind, and spirit.
— Arsa Schleyen, Vanishing Point
About the Book
Vanishing Point is Arsa Schleyen’s eighth book, blending poetry with short autobiographical prose. Through a series of vivid, intimate moments, Schleyen reflects on aging as it unfolds day by day—living with chronic pain, weighing the choice between home care and a senior residence, navigating social services, and revisiting a life shaped by place and memory.
Her recollections trace a journey from Berlin in the 1930s, through German immigrant communities in Kiryat Bialik and Haifa, to Switzerland, and finally to contemporary Israel in 2014. Written with honesty, courage, and emotional precision, the book captures life in small, resonant scenes that feel both personal and universal.
Vanishing Point will appeal to readers of autobiographical literature and poetry, as well as anyone interested in aging, memory, and the lived experience of older adults in Israel.
About the Author
Arsa Schleyen was born in Berlin, Germany, in 1930 and immigrated to Israel with her parents in 1934. She has lived in the Haifa area ever since. Her previous books include Snow Falling on the Sun (1999), From Heaven They Rained Flowers on Me (2001), The Bridge Home (2004), I Still Have a Suitcase in Berlin (2006), and Bride (2013)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the book about?
A lyrical autobiographical work that explores aging, family, solitude, memory, and the enduring need for love, offering an intimate look at the life of an elderly woman in Israel.
What is the writing style?
A blend of poetry and short autobiographical prose, written with honesty, clarity, and emotional sensitivity, capturing everyday moments and personal reflections.
Who is this book for?
Readers who enjoy memoir, literary prose, and poetry, as well as anyone interested in aging, later life, and the lived experiences of older adults.
Why does this book matter?
It offers a moving and authentic portrait of life in old age, fostering empathy and deepening understanding of both the challenges and the quiet beauty of growing older.
Key Topics
Aging and everyday life in a senior residence
Family, solitude, and the search for love
Living with chronic pain and health challenges
Immigration, belonging, and adapting to life in Israel
Memories of life in Germany, Switzerland, and Israel
Lyrical reflections on ordinary moments
Honesty, empathy, and insight into the human experience
