Literatureמנחם בן

Menahem Ben

Menahem Ben was an Israeli poet, journalist and literary critic who wrote columns and reviews for Maariv and other papers.

1948 to 2020Literary and culture criticismColumns in MaarivHebrew poetry

Born: 31 October 1948, Dzierżoniów
Died: 13 March 2020, Petah Tikva
Occupation: journalist, literary critic, poet, writer
Education: Ohel Shem

Menahem Ben was born in 1948 in Dzierżoniów

Menahem Ben was born Menahem Braun in Dzierżoniów, Poland, in 1948. His family immigrated to Israel in 1949, and he grew up in Ramat Gan. At the Ohel Shem high school he met Yoram Bronowski, who drew him to poetry.

At 12 he began writing for Maariv LaNoar, and at 13 he became a youth reporter there. He was first exempted from IDF service, but later raised his medical profile and served 3 years, mostly as an instructor in an anti-aircraft unit. He studied at university for 1 year.

His first poetry book, Aderet HaGefen, and his translation of The Waste Land by T. S. Eliot appeared in 1967. He wrote criticism for Massa, Yedioth Ahronoth, Haaretz, Kol Ha'Ir and other outlets. He published books of poetry, children's literature, criticism and thought, including a book about his daughter's suicide.

He was known for provocative opinions in his columns. In 2009 he took part in the reality show HaAh HaGadol VIP and reached 3rd place. From 2018 he wrote weekly political articles in Maariv until his death in 2020, after a stroke in 2019.