Thursday, June 14, 2012

So, a Muhammad Ali walks into a Bar...

...Mitzvah.


But in a twist that illustrates the mosaic of American life, the onetime member of the Nation of Islam -- never considered a friendly group to the Jews -- happens to have a Jewish grandson. And that grandson, Jacob Wertheimer, recently became a Bar Mitzvah at Congregation Rodeph Shalom in Center City, with his grandfather in attendance. 

This is the best of America.  If only too many of my fellow online liberals weren't so viciously invested in knee-jerk reactionism against all things Jews and Israel, discourse would be just that much better these days.  I intend to post a couple of times a month here from this point on out, exploring this particular phenomenon, mostly from my main online home, the blogs at The Atlantic.

Anyway, this is just an intro post.  So, hello.

3 comments:

  1. Muhammad Ali has a Jewish grandkid?

    Right the fuck on!

    :O)

    Say "hello" to JayinPhiladelphia guys.

    Someone has got to cover The Atlantic.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. And here in Joe Frazier's hometown, no less. ;)

      We're currently trying to save his gym.

      http://planphilly.com/eyesonthestreet/2012/06/06/joe-fraziers-endangered-gym/

      Delete
    2. This is, btw, not much more than a mile from my own home in North Philadelphia. Kensington, best known as the home of another (fictional) boxing icon, Rocky Balboa...

      Delete