Ira Jan (Russian: И́ра Ян) is the pseudonym of the painter and writer Esther Yoselevitch Slepyan (Эсфи́рь Иосиле́вич Слепя́н; 2 February 1869 – 24 April 1919), although primarily known as Haim Nahman Bialik's mistress,[1] she was also a member of the commune at Bezalel and among the founders of Gymnasia Rehavia.

After returning to Kishinev, she became involved with members of the Socialist Revolutionary Party, one of whom was the bacteriology student Dmitry Slepian (Дмитрия Слепяна), who she married and with whom she had a daughter, Elena (Елены).

[1][2] In 1914, following the outbreak of World War I, Jan, together with the gymnasia staff and many of the artists group, moved to Tel Aviv and lived in the Adler House.

With the pogrom in the background, Jan fell in love with the poet, left her husband and prior beliefs, and immigrated to The Land of Israel.

Some scholars, including Ziva Shamir and Hillel Barzel, believe that at least two of Bialik's poems, "Thou Art Leaving Me" (״הולכת את מעמי״) and "To Your Secret Path" (״לנתיבך הנעלם״), were dedicated to Jan. Bialik apparently concealed his love to her for fear of losing his reputation, cut all contact with her after she left for the Land of Israel, and only went to the Land of Israel himself after she had died.

Ziva Shamir believes that a large portion of Bialik's works were directly inspired by his relationship with Jan, that, in her opinion, were the central love affair of his life.