Ze\'ev Maghen

John Lennon and the Jews: a Philosophical Rampage Ze\'ev Maghen

Jacket Description/Flap: A chance encounter at LAX introduces Maghen to a trio of Hare Krishna missionaries who turn out to be Israeli migr s. They insist that Judaism is archaic, irrational, immoral and just downright stupid; that affiliating with the Jewish people in our modern, globalizing day and age is pointless and pass . Their adamant universalism and "everything is everything" rejection of their Jewish identity put the author in mind of his favorite Beatle's famous lyric, "Imagine there's no countries and no religion too." John Lennon and the Jews is Maghen's confrontation with Lennon's vision of one-worldism and other in vogue beliefs that threaten Jewish continuity today. This work is a journey through centuries, countries, sitcoms, and ideas that will leave no thinking, feeling person unaffected. "You have never had so much fun cogitating," writes one reader. "It's like sitting in a yeshiva in front of a highly erudite rabbi on mushrooms."

Contributor Bio:  Maghen, Ze'ev Ze'ev Maghen is a professor of Arabic Literature and Islamic History and Chairman of the Department of Middle East Studies at Bar-Ilan University. He also serves as a senior fellow at the Shalem Center in Jerusalem. Born and raised in Boston and Philadelphia, he moved to Israel, and completed his military service in the Tank Corps of the Israel Defense Forces. He now lives in Jerusalem with his wife and four children.