Into every magnificent culture, a few meshuggeners must fall. But “We Jews” love our shlemiels, shlimazels, shmeggeges, shmendriks, shnooks – and a few other “esses,”not to mention our “whys” – as in “yutz.” Without them, would the rest of us be quite so wise? Benevolent? Hysterical? Busy? Oh ... and a few even made a big splash when they fell ... into or on top of ... something or someone. Here’s a sampling of my choices for We Odd Jews.
Enjoy!
Leone da Modena
The luftmensch king, jack-of-all-trades and successful at none, had to be Leone da Modena. Born poor, in a Jewish Italian ghetto, this 16th century dreamer wanted to be a hit. All he needed was talent – in something – and major mazel. Leone claimed 26 professions, including rabbi, playwright, shadchan, cardshark – and starved from them all. He even tried alchemy, feverishly attempting to turn metal to gold. Alas, the Midas touch, he didn’t have. But, his persistence paid off. He probably holds the record for “Most Misses in a Single Lifetime.” And he’s remembered! – In this column.
Chapman Abram
A trader in the American Great Lakes area, Chapman was one crafty meshuggener. It seems that while working “his territory” in 1763, he – and his merchandise – were captured during Chief Pontiac's siege of Detroit. Poor “Chap” was condemned to death, which made him thirsty (no doubt from shvitzing). When tied to the stake, he begged for a drink, but was given scalding broth. With nothing to lose, he threw it into his captor’s face! (When We Jews want to eat or drink, don’t fool around.) Well, awestruck, the tribe saw this as a sign of major “mishegossery” – which marked “Chap” as a special favorite of their Great Spirit. They not only released him, they returned his merchandise! The moral? Such is the power of a little chutzpah!
Joshua Abraham Norton
For a brief, shining 20 years, we had an Emperor. A Jewish one. Norton the First. The Londoner arrived in San Francisco in 1849. After failing to corner the rice market, undaunted, he “re-invented” himself, turning from rice to royalty. One day, he appeared at the San Francisco Bulletin, in a shmatte with navy regalia proclaiming himself “Emperor of these United States” which the paper published on September 17, 1859, thus beginning Norton’s reign. Eccentric but beloved, Norton 1 shmoozed with VIPs at 5 star restaurants, and the city picked up the tab for his lodging and uniforms, while San Franciscans bowed when he passed. On a slow news day, the paper could count on the Emperor to liven things up. A few of his more interesting edicts during 1860: “Norton 1 barred Congress from meeting in Washington.” He may have gone too far, when, on October 1, “Norton 1 dissolved the United States” altogether. When he died in 1880, the headline read: “Norton the First, by the grace of God Emperor of the United States and Protector of Mexico, departed this life.”
Two-Gun Cohen
We Jews have been known for many things, but gun-slinging isn’t one of them. Unless we’re talking about the strange alliance between a Jewish Londoner and SunYat-sen! Born to poor Polish Jewish emigres in 1887, Morris Cohen, managed to connect to revolutionary China – not through diplomacy (in the usual sense). While in a gambling den in Saskatoon, Canada he defended the Chinese owner during a robbery. This was his entre to China and Sun Yat-sen. In 1922, he became his bodyguard and a “General” in the Army-- all without knowing Chinese. Whether his exploits as tycoon, arms dealer, and adventurer made him a visionary, a hustler (or both), Two-Gun Cohen, who packed two pistols was one!
Julius Meyer
Attired in Native American clothing, standing next to Red Cloud and above the seated Sitting Bull (the less famous one) in a photo called “Sioux Group in Omaha,” ca. 1870 is a Jew. The entrepreneur on the Western Frontier, liked the “spirit” of Native Americans and vice verse. He not only did business with them (he traded artifacts in Nebraska), but, fluent in their languages, acted as an interpreter. Meyer so loved his kinship, he paid Native Americans to pose with him. They returned his love by “adopting” him. The Pawnee named him “Box-ka-re-sha-hash- ta-ka,” or “Curly-headed white chief who speaks with one tongue.”
Julius Popper
It wasn’t enough for Romanian Jew, Julius Popper (1857-1893), to manage an Argentine mining company. He wanted a kingdom. He found one in 1887, after getting gold mining rights in Tierra del Fuego -- and named himself king. During his reign, he printed money, even stamps. When “King Julius” returned to Argentina, he died under mysterious circumstances. (A coup, maybe?)
Don Lerman & Leon Feingold
True, We Jews prefer eating matzah balls to throwing basketballs. Ah, but turn “essing” into a sport, and you get a Don Lerman, a top-ranked competitive eater. In fact, Jews comprise a quarter of the top-ranked. (Are we surprised?) Lerman, who often uses the name “Moses,” has downed 12 matzah balls in two minutes and 50 seconds! Eating ... a sport? Experts say more raw guts are needed to win (and hold onto it) than in most other matches. According to another “Ess”star, Leon Feingold, “Jews are very competitive... [they] approach technique intelligently. And they have Jewish mothers, which means they can’t leave the table until they’re done eating, which gives them speed and capacity.” As ESPN has covered Nathan’s hot dog-eating contest and the [chicken] Wing Bowl, can the Maccabiah games be far behind?
Alan Abel & Jeanne Abel.
In a glowing obituary, The New York Times reported him dead on January 2, 1980. He was alive, well, and busy pranking. In 1959, he created SINA, Society for Indecency for Naked Animals, appearing on the Today show among others, spouting his cause: to provide attire for animals. (A $40,000 donation was refused.) In 1964 and 1968, he ran Yetta Bronstein from the Bronx for President. There was no Yetta, but she did garner write-in votes! Who was this hoaxster? Alan Abel. Wife, Jeanne Abel, his partner in “con,” played the Presidential “candidate.” Her campaign slogan, “Vote for Yetta and things will get Betta,” made headlines. In 2005, their daughter, Jenny Abel, co-produced a documentary, Abel Raises Cain, about her parents’ career as professional “characters.”
(18) Myrna Hant, Ph.D, March 1, 2010 11:08 PM
Marnie, you've done it again. Thanks for giving a refreshingly new approach to the "Jewish people". I was delighted to read about these otherwise unknown Jews. You have shown us a quirky side of our tribe. I thoroughly enjoyed your contribution.
(17) Eva Yelloz, February 11, 2010 10:09 PM
We all have nut jobs in our closets - time to air them out!
People who are 'sticks in the mud' will always be insulted by learning of folks (past or present) that are not of sterling backgrounds/behavior who are members of the tribe. One of the beautiful aspects of being Jewish is that we have, for centuries, known how to poke fun at ourselves and have produced some of the best comedians and satirical writers in history. So what if we have mishugenah streaks? Every nationality/religion can relate to crazy Uncle Harold who wants to run for president, wild cousin Sarah who is looking for husband #5, suave brother Mottie the playboy/polygamist or third cousin once removed Howard the stalker who's been arrested twice for peeking into his x-girlfriend's window.
(16) Karyn Goldstein, February 11, 2010 5:30 PM
Kudos to Marnie
How refreshing to laugh at ourselves and enjoy different colors of our culture.Devout does not have to mean boring.This gives us an opportunity to"lighten up!!!
(15) Beryl Yeshuah Jernigan, February 11, 2010 12:47 AM
What? Have some of the comenters lost their sense of humor?
I feel that some of my fellow commenters have lost their Jewish sense of humor. Marnie is not ridiculing these people, she is merely using humor to help us see a wider diversity of Jewish history. I think this is great. Come on, folks, lighten up and enjoy. You might even learn something in the process.
(14) Sandor, February 11, 2010 12:44 AM
What? Odd Jews? Never!
Dear Marnie When it comes to odd Jews I wonder wether the ones you chose are the more, or the less odd of the lot. Not to be odd can only be accomplished if the person is a conformist and that is not a habit Jews are likely to submit to. I only wonder why you picked these mildly odd specimens, bypassing some of the more colourful ones. In my estimation the world champion of idiosyncrasy is Lincoln Trebitsch, the grand daddy of them all. But you could make a lot of fun out of Robert Maxwell as well, or the Russian Rosenschtrauh, the mainstay of St. Petersburg and the Russian classics. I also warmly recommend the story of Victor Lustig, who not once, but twice sold the Eiffel Tower in the 1920s to unsuspecting dupes. However, occasionally there was an oddball Jew, who, although idiosyncratic, nonetheless was brilliant. First perhaps Albert Sweitzer comes to mind, but similar to him is Alexander Lenard, you know, the guy who translated Winnie the Pooh to latin. One of my favourites is Rudolf Steiner, the founder of anthroposophy, a truly spectacular rogue of brilliant accomplishments. All things considered, those who regard the mockery of "funny" Jews as undignified are mistaken. Jews are often funny and many of them are outrageously funny wether we like it or not. But as far as I am concerned, I like it. It is hard to imagine how to survive a few thousand years without some fun here and there.
(13) Eliot Strager, Ph.D, February 11, 2010 12:03 AM
"File Under Fascinating Facts"
After reading some of the comments, I'm compelled to use the cliche,"Lighten up!" or "What's the beef?" Have you even read the earlier articles on the topic? As a frequent reader of Jewish-themed material, I have two broad comments. The first. There are absolutely no "insult" or "taste" issues here. These are interesting facts that in no way cast a negative light on Jews. Nor do these choices reflect a negative view. The article is informative, fun, and adds fully without fluff. I'm amazed at those who see any description of the unusual among us as ground for disapproval. In fact, it's that very attitude that hurts us as a people, and in the eyes of others who object to "superiority" of attitude and the need to present ourselves as "perfect." I was "amused," sadly, that of all the truly tasteless or trivial things I've read, this benign piece evoked any such response. I enjoyed it. Will share it. And look forward to the next! Eliot Strager, Ph.D
(12) Andy, February 10, 2010 11:21 PM
Fun piece...
We were always good at poking fun at ourselves... which is nothing to be ashamed of.
(11) Anonymous, February 10, 2010 11:07 PM
Such VIVID memorable, cinematic characters!
Just like the INGLORIOUS BASTERDS of Tarantino's fantasy film, our people run the human gamut of survivalists and victors and inventors, sometimes to inglorious ends. So many of our most popular Yiddish words refer to offbeat, nutty characters and crazy states of mind--thanks for giving them personae that probably popularized them.
(10) Laraine Newman, February 10, 2010 11:01 PM
Snap Out of It
The Site is called Jew-l-a-r-i-o-u-s.
(9) marnie the author, February 10, 2010 10:11 PM
may we agree to disagree?
To my readers: If you've read my work, you know the deep and abiding pride and love I have for our people (Please read Parts 1, 2, and the others to come). Our culture, our language, is filled with such stories/ jokes about, for example, Chelmites, not to mention a virtual thesaurus of Yiddish words defining every nuance of "fools." In my research, I've found a myriad of academic works discussing the need and use -- often in humor -- of our so-called "types" as Tevye would call them. E.g.: the psycho-social role that the " shnorrer" played in the shtetl. Like some Southerners who take pride in their odd ancestors and relatives, we Jews often feel similarly about some of our "mishegoyim" which can be described with either serious or light-hearted intent. This list was clearly light-hearted. I left out those MOTs, who committed truly negative/evil acts. No Madoff here! And, indeed, some of these "odd" people accomplished "the impossible." I've always tried to be honest with my readers. My honest feeling is, in a religion and culture filled with astonishing accomplishments, are we so sensitive that we can't even mention the odd, the unusual? Are we so determined to put only "heroes" out there, we can't, even among ourselves, tolerate, the lightest, amusing use of the term "mishugge" to note atypical, yet fascinating MOTs? If so, personally, I would find that disappointing. And, in such a series, incomplete. So, I stand by the theme. As always, I appreciate and take your postings -- positive and negative -- very seriously and with gratitude. Shalom, Marn P.S." The only correction (apart from my grammar error, pointed out by Hersch) would be not adding more about Leon da Modena (noted by Justin), who, as a scholar made an impact on the Christians of his day. His contribution and life, discussed in books, has been controversial, but his choices (many) of "careers," questioned and critiqued.
(8) Kip Gonzales, February 10, 2010 11:07 AM
Chutzpah better than monotony
I would like to be remembered after I die, as having been a good "mensch", who had guts, and maybe even did some crazy things to right some wrongs or even just get more out of life (never causing pain to others). In the first book of Chronicles, 4:10, it says, "Jabez cried out to the G-d of Israel, "Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain" (or causing pain), And G-d granted his request." Things like that take a little guts.
(7) Anonymous, February 9, 2010 11:07 PM
are these real people or fiction?
B/c if these people mentioned in the article were real people, then I think it very unjust, you ridiculing them like that. Not a Jewish trait at all!! Would you want someone doing that to you several centuries down? Besides isn't it lashan hara? Watch out how you talk about people; the consequences could be very uncomfortable and hurtful!
(6) D.K. Milgrim-Heath, February 9, 2010 9:04 PM
So Many Types Of Jews Are We
So Many Types Of Jews Are We By D.K. Milgrim-Heath So many types of Jews are we- Spoken always in every important century. From biblical times to our modern years- We're proud of our different peers. By giving The Ten commandents to earth- Just by that alone what's our real worth? We're considered smart but we can get bold- Even we do some things just like centuries of old. Professionals we became so what do you think by that? As we were originally nomads that Abraham had begat! We are traders, tailors or dress designers dealing with silk- Other things we've done as well but that's just our ilk! Our doctors known in science for many a vaccine- We even taught the world about general hygiene! Actors,writers or musicians plus singers we've done- Bringing full beauty of the arts for everyone. We've talents towrds enriching who ever we are- Aren't Jewish comedians much funnier by far? Jewish mothers love their kitchens that place to cook- Teaching how delicious Jewish food can taste and look! The bagel receipe went really most everywhere- Jews will always a part of things because they had a dare!
(5) klaus, February 9, 2010 8:06 PM
What a delight this piece is.
Thank you for giving me and others a pleasant little break from our hectic days with some fun entertainment. You know I'll be back for more.
(4) Feivel, February 9, 2010 7:01 PM
Welcome back!
Where have you been?? We have missed your wit. The more I read of yours, the more I am aware of how little I know. Keep 'em coming
(3) Jerry, February 9, 2010 6:04 PM
Disappointed
I find this article to be in poor taste. Is it really proper to call a fellow Jew (or anyone else for that matter) a "meshugenner"? The entire tone of the article is one which pokes fun of "odd" people. Not nice.
(2) Hersh Adlerstein, February 8, 2010 8:45 PM
Yiddish translation
The problem with identifying more than one "mishugener" by adding an "s" to the word is, of course, ridiculous. A gang or a flock or a herd of such people is "mishegoyim".
(1) Justin, February 8, 2010 7:59 PM
Leon da Modena
Is this an interpretation of Madena's life. I know he was gaiant the Luranic tradition but from what I remember he is considered a respected scholar