{"product_id":"9783032267672","title":"Mahal: North American Military Fighters in Israel’s 1948 War of Independence","description":"\u003ch3\u003eStudies of Jews in Society\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003ch1\u003eMahal: North American Military Fighters in Israel’s 1948 War of Independence\u003c\/h1\u003e\u003ch3\u003eSamuel Z. Klausner\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cb\u003eReligion \/ Judaism \/ General\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;\"\u003eThis deeply researched volume uncovers the untold story of the North American men and women who joined Israel’s 1948 fight for independence. Known as \u003cem\u003eMahal\u003c\/em\u003e (Volunteers from Abroad), these individuals risked their lives, citizenships, and futures to serve in Aliyah Bet and what became the Israel Defense Forces—the army, navy, and air force. Drawing from a 1992 questionnaire, as well as supplementary documents and research reports, this study uses a sociological lens to explicate the volunteers’ motives, backgrounds, and lasting impressions which for many was a transformative experience. From covert operations in the Mediterranean to makeshift airfields around Tel Aviv, these volunteers defied U.S. embargoes, navigated the tensions of dual loyalties, and helped shape a nation in its most vulnerable hour. It is a perfect read for historians, scholars, and students of Jewish studies and diaspora identities. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSamuel Z. Klausner\u003c\/strong\u003e is Professor Emeritus of Sociology at the University of Pennsylvania. A U.S. Navy veteran and lifelong scholar of religion, migration, and transnational identity, he has authored and edited numerous works on Middle Eastern societies and Jewish history. His deep commitment to documenting overlooked narratives is evident in this study of North American volunteers in Israel’s War of Independence.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePublication Date: \u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e31 July 2026\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePublisher: \u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSpringer Nature Switzerland\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eImprint: \u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSpringer\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eISBN-13: \u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e9783032267672\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFormat: \u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHardback\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePage Count: \u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e179\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e","brand":"Springer Nature Switzerland","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47694152892556,"sku":"9783032267672","price":98.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0710\/9545\/1788\/files\/9783032267672.jpg?v=1781060327","url":"https:\/\/fh90cf-fv.myshopify.com\/products\/9783032267672","provider":"Late Knight Books and Services, LLC","version":"1.0","type":"link"}