For the past 20 years I have been contributing to various “Tokienesque” publications.  The publications have included “Rivendell Review”(journal of the American Hobbit Association), Minas Tirith Evening Star”(Journal of the American Tolkien Society), and “Beyond Bree”(Monthly publication of the Mensa Special Interest Tolkien group). 

I must say that I was raised in the Jewish faith and listen to Jewish services on the radio or attend such services on most Friday nights.  I have contributed to “Judaism”, “Jews in Space” amd “Jewish Space”.  But I have an abiding admiration of Tolkien;s work. Why?

I think the main reason is that I was exposed to the works at an early age.  I attended Wel – Met sleep – away amp when I was about 11.  At that the counselors sand the songs of Donovan and songs of the civil rights movement of the time.  At nighttime the counselors read the “Hobbit” to us in our bunks.

Escapist fiction is fun – I think most readrs will admot that.  Tolkien created a well – thought out world – one which is very real to his admirers,  Is such escapism “reacitionary” or “unhealthy”?  I think such a works should be on on people’s bookshelves because they represent the power of the imagination to enlighten and delight us.  There is, I believe a place for stark realism.  But let’s leave a place for those who show us alternate realities.  The adult mind has more need of escape than the child’s mind. 

The ecology movement has become imporatn today and Tolkien knew what was being destroyed by “progress” – the denuding of forests and valleys.  One need not be an Ent (talking tree) to realize the truth in this.  Ancient rabbis have weighed in on this issue, too – especailly Rabbi Nachman who felt that to experience nature os to experience a manifestation of the divine.  I feel that is no contradiction in being a Jewish Tolkienist.