Jewish Heroes & Heroines of America: 150 True Stories of American Jewish Heroism [Paperback]

Seymour Brody (Author), Art Seiden (Illustrator)

Book Description

Jewish youth learn about their heroes from Brody's book --Jewish News of Metro West, N. J.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Brody's book factually destroys the myths and lies that Jews

never did anything for our country." -- Dallas Jewish Post

"Brody's book factually traces the history and heroism of American Jews

in our country's wars. " -- Stars and Stripes, Washington, D.C.

"Brody's book on Jewish Heroes & Heroines could well be for

assignments in Jewish and non-Jewish schools for strengthening the pride of our

youth." -- B'Nai Brith Life, New York

"Ex-Marines book combats the misconceptions about American Jews." -- Star-Ledger, New Jersey

About the Author

Seymour Brody is a board member of the Jewish War Veterans National Museum of American Jewish Military History and was the National Executive Committeeman of the U.S. Jewish War Veterans.

Product Details

• Paperback: 302 pages
• Publisher: Lifetime Books, Inc.; First Edition edition (January 25, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811908232
• ISBN-13: 978-0811908238
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,317,232 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent blend of historical portraits of Jews in America., March 16, 1999

By 

Steven M. Bergson (Toronto, Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Jewish Heroes & Heroines of America: 150 True Stories of American Jewish Heroism (Paperback)

Every generation of children needs heroes: people to look up to, admire, respect and emulate as one is growing up. At a time when intermarriage rates are rising and assimilation is a growing phenomenon, it is important to instill in our youth a strong sense of Jewish pride in the Jewish men and women who have overcome adversity to become legends in their own time. Seymour Brody has provided a wonderful biographical tool to teach Jewish and non-Jewish children about the important contributions American Jews have made in various ways in this wonderful update to his Jewish Heroes of America. Brody has made this edition more egalitarian by adding biographical profiles of an additional fifty women (including Jenny Maas Flexner).

Brody's brief (2 pages), but informative, biographical sketches highlight where the heroes have lived and worked, what awards they have won, what professions they have worked in and what accomplishments have brought them fame and the respect of both Jews and non-Jews in America. When known, he also mentions whether they are Ashkenazi or Sephardi and their religious affiliation. Brody's book covers the whole span of American history from the prerevolutionary years to the present. Examples of Jewish soldiers are given for every war that the U.S. has fought. Among the people that are represented are lawyers, rabbis, politicians, businessmen, entertainers, athletes and health care workers. Each entry is accompanied by an illustration by award-winner Art Seiden.

An improvement over the previous edition is the inclusion of a name index, although a subject index and bibliography / reading list are still lacking. At times, the entries read less like narratives and more like resumes. Sometimes, Brody is too vague, using phrases like "played an important role" instead of telling what the specific accomplishments were. It would have been better if Brody has chosen a greater number of stronger role models (he includes Jews who rarely acknowledged their faith and Jews who intermarried).

Overall, the book does an excellent job of paying tribute to Jews from most of the states who have left their mark on America. By including first-generation Americans, Brody also demonstrates that what has made America thrive for centuries is its willingness to accept people from every nation and from every culture, letting them live in a home of freedom where they can fulfill their every dream. This book is very highly reccommended for public, school, synagogue and general Judaica collections for both young adult and children's collections

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Should be in every Jewish library, January 20, 2005

By 

Rabbi Yonassan Gershom (Minnesota, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Jewish Heroes & Heroines of America: 150 True Stories of American Jewish Heroism (Paperback)

I found this book during a Web search on astronaut Judith Resnik, who was the first Jew in space and the second woman in space. (Sadly, she perished in the Challenger explosion -- may she rest in peace.) Judith Resnik is included in this book, along with 149 other American Jews who, in many different ways, are real heroes that we can all look up to. The biographies are well-written and easy reading, suitable for classroom or home. A wonderful resource that should be in every Jewish library.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A PERFECT GIFT FOR HANUKAH, September 26, 2001

By 

judy Lipman (BOCA RATON, FL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Jewish Heroes & Heroines of America: 150 True Stories of American Jewish Heroism (Paperback)

Last year when Mr. Brody was a guest speaker at a B'nai Brith meeting here in Century Village, Boca Raton, I purchased a copy of JEWISH HEROES & HEROINES OF AMERICA. After reading it from cover to cover, I realized that this book should be in every "JEWISH" home. I highly recommend it as the perfect gift for HANUKAH. Since I write a monthly column in our community newspaper I would like permission to review it.In my last column
I reviewed JUDAISM & VEGETARIANISM by PROF. RICHARD SCHWARTZ.

Also if possible I would appreciate 2 or 3 complimentary copies to pass around at our Living Room Learning Club, and at our next B'nai Brith meeting.THANK YOU.

Judy Lipman -3031 Wolverton B - Boca Raton, Fl. 33434 (Phone [phone]