Comic Book Rabbi Simcha Weinstein Addresses Comic-Con International, Sunday, July 23, San Diego
First Chasidic Rabbi To Address This Convention
Simcha Weinstein, known as the Comic Book Rabbi, will be the first Hasidic rabbi to speak at Comic-Con International in San Diego, California, the world's largest comic-book convention, Sunday, July 23. In his address, he will visit the themes encompassed by his recently published book, Up, Up and Oy Vey (Leviathan Press, 2006).
Up, Up and Oy Vey quickly garnered much media attention and recently won the coveted Hollywood Book Festival award. It analyzes cultural influences, many of which are rooted in Jewish identity and values, that helped inform the minds of the creators of our most popular comic-book heroes, Superman, Batman, Spiderman, the Fantastic Four and others.
Though Weinstein hid his Jewish identity when he was a boy, he recaptured it as a young adult. At the same time, he discovered that the American inventors of such superheroes as Superman (Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster), Batman (Bob Kane, Bill Finger and Jerry Robinson), the Green Lantern (Martin Nodell), and Spider-Man (Stan Lee, born Stanley Martin Lieber) were Jewish.
Recalls Weinstein, "As I delved further, I noticed deeper connections between the two worlds. The comics reflected Biblical stories, and their heroes encompassed deeply embedded Jewish ethics and traditions. Moreover, they also mirrored the post-Biblical Jewish experience. For example, Superman's double identity can even be seen as that of an immigrant seeking to assimilate into a new world."
Up Up and Oy Vey is replete with new, original insights and complex interpretations. As a result of his insights, Weinstein has achieved a superhero status of his own: He has appeared on CNN and has been the subject of articles in national newspapers, magazines and on the Web.
About Simcha Weinstein
Weinstein is the founder of the Jewish Student Foundation of downtown Brooklyn, an educational and cultural center that aims to promote student pride and commitment through innovative social and educational experiences. He wants comics enthusiasts to appreciate the deeper meanings of their favorite characters, much as he helps students make academic breakthroughs.
Source: Simcha Weinstein
