Menahem Ben
Menahem Ben (Hebrew: מנחם בן; born October 31, 1948) is an Israeli poet and journalist and an outspoken literary and culture critic. He is a frequent op-ed contributor and authors two weekly columns, on culture and literature, in the Maariv daily newspaper, as well as a monthly book review page in that paper's literary supplement. He specializes in publishing provocative opinions, for instance that Darvin's theory of evolution is an "idiotic idea" (Haaretz, 30 November, 2017). The general opinion among intellectuals in Israel is that his opinions on morality, culture and biology are not worth noticing.
Biography
Menahem Ben (originally Braun), was born in Dzierżoniów, Poland in 1948. His family immigrated to Israel in 1949.
He participated in reality show HaAh HaGadol VIP (2009), reaching 3rd place.
Books
In addition to his impressive body of critical writing in the Israeli press, Menahem Ben has published eighteen books, including poetry, children's literature, translations and essays. In 2006, he published a volume of criticism: From Shlomo the King (King Solomon) to Shlomo Artzi.
Prizes
- In 1989, Ben was awarded the Prime Minister's Prize for Literature.
- In 1998, he received the Bernstein Prize, in the Literary Criticism category.