The Jewish-American comedian directed and acted in numerous films starring zany characters. A century after his birth, fans and scholars recall the performer whose manic energy, inventive filmmaking, and decades of philanthropy left an indelible mark on popular culture.
Natan Sharansky’s Meal of Gratitude: 40 Years of Freedom
Sharansky was freed from Soviet captivity in February of 1986. Jewish unity helped to bring about his release — and he says it remains key today. In this interview, Sharansky reflects on his own family’s practice of marking the occasion, which may hold a lesson for many of us.
Zerach Warhaftig: A Name to Remember and a Resume That’s Hard to Beat
Born 120 years ago, Warhaftig signed Israel’s declaration of independence, brokered a key compromise in the document’s wording, spent nearly three decades in Knesset, wrote the Law of Return, was a longtime cabinet minister and knew the Talmud inside and out. Oh, and he helped to save thousands of Jews during the Shoah.
Remembering Judith Resnik, the First Jewish-American in Space
Resnik and her six crewmates were killed 40 years ago aboard the shuttle Challenger. Their memories continue to encourage young people to reach, as did the seven astronauts, for the stars.
Paul Newman’s Other Great Role
He was among the most respected American actors of the late 20th century. He understood drama. Hands-on charity, too. Newman used the lucky, cool hand he was dealt to improve kids’ lives — and did it with an absence of hubris.
Raoul Wallenberg: The Mysterious Disappearance of a Hero
The fate of the Holocaust-era rescuer of Jews remains unknown, but his example continues to resonate.
Sandy Koufax: A Jewish Baseball Hero Turns 90
Sitting out an important game on Yom Kippur, setting pitching records and retiring young for health reasons combined to make the iconic Dodgers pitcher a legend in the 1960s. He remains so.
From Treblinka to Stalingrad: The Many Truths of Vasily Grossman
How a Soviet-Jewish reporter became one of the 20th century’s most essential truth-tellers.
John F. Kennedy and Israel: A Look Back
Recalling the 35th president’s impact on American-Israeli relations.
Barney Dreyfuss, a Jewish Under-the-Radar Baseball Hall of Famer
The German immigrant arrived in America in 1881 and left an imprint on its national pastime, including launching the World Series championship.
