David Rutiezer, grandchild of Jewish immigrants, was raised in Illinois and Massachusetts, and lives in Portland, Oregon. He has an MFA in Creative Writing and a TESL certificate. David’s poems have been published in Drash, Harpur Palate, Jewish Currents, Mortality Poems, the North Coast Squid, Oregon Poetry Calendar, River Road and Terra Incognita. His poetry chapbook, Other Dances, was published by Squares and Rebels series of Handtype Press in 2025.

He founded December First Writers, named for World AIDS Day, who’ve given readings since 2014 about the personal impact of HIV/AIDS to increase awareness and build support for local AIDS organizations. David sings and plays keyboard and ukulele, has a background in music therapy, has performed in nursing homes, memory care communities, and rehabilitation centers, and released a music album for children, The Kid in Me, in November 2014. He’s performed and taught Israeli and International folk dancing for people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds across the Pacific Northwest. David tutors ESL and writing and does editing work, and he volunteers for numerous community organizations, including Cascade Festival of African Films and the Oregon Holocaust Memorial. You can read more about David at his website, www.creativedavid.com