Monday, June 19, 2006

Superman is Jewish?

This article points out that the man of steel is actually a Jewish boy. Now that superman is coming back to the big screen the discussion of his origins are begining yet again. Superman is the creation of Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster of Cleveland and the article explains few were interested in Jewish named cartoon writers at that time.

The boys' influences are strictly Old Testament: Superman comics begin with Planet Krypton about to explode. Desperate to save his baby son, Superman's father, Jor-El ("El" is ancient Hebrew for "God"), sends the child to Earth, alone, in a spaceship.

Substitute a boat, and you've got the story of Moses.

As he makes his way on Earth as a Nazi-fighter, Superman longs for Krypton.

"In this world, he's very much an outsider. He's an alien," says Weinstein.
"That's what Jews have been called throughout the world, aliens."


Interest in superheroes has skyrocketed in the recent times.

"The biggest movie after 9/11 was 'Spider-Man,'" said Weinstein. "We're looking for heroes.

"They're based on Jewish traditions and Jewish values, and they're something to be proud of."

And don't forget: Many Jewish names end with "man."

7 comments:

Larry Lennhoff said...

Further evidence

AS said...

Now that is odd is that a joke of some sort?

Larry Lennhoff said...

Yup - parody cover.

AS said...

very cute:)

JoeSettler said...

Don't forget that Barbie is also Jewish

http://www.tribecafilmfestival.org/video-shorts.html?bclid=27610645&bctid=29784678

Larry Lennhoff said...

For some reason people seem fascinated by Superman's brit

Hepzibah The Watchman said...

Speaking about who is Jewish and Jewish names, I am doing research on my family to determine whether in the murky depths of the Middle Ages, my ancestors were Jewish.

Our surname is Cologna - from the Italian Dolomites. Sometime in the Middle Ages we migrated to Italy from the Rhineland area - perhaps the reason is the Rhineland massacres - not sure - but if anyone has information to share, I would be most grateful. Thank you and G-d bless.