Broken Frontier

The title of his book may appear to be a quirky re-writing of Superman’s catch cry, but there is a deeper truth behind Up, Up and Oy Vey!. What lies underneath the surface of this catchy title is a meticulous exploration of the modern myths of comic books and their roots in Jewish history and culture.

Much like The Story Factory itself, Rabbi Weinstein’s book explores the origins of comic book superheroes, yet he does so with a twist. Up, Up and Oy Vey! is an exploration of the biblical and cultural origins of heroes and the significant Jewish influence on the creation of American superheroes.

Many of the early titans of the comic book industry, from the creators, writers and artists to the publishers themselves were Jewish. Great names like Maxwell Charles “M.C.” Gaines (née Max Ginzberg), Jack Kirby, Stan Lee, Jerry Siegel, Joe Shuster, Will Eisner and Bob Kane were the Jewish pioneers of our industry.

Many of today’s creators are also Jewish: Brian Bendis, Joe Kubert, Bob Kanigher, Chris Claremont, Ben Katchor, Daniel Clowes, Sammy Harkham, Joann Sfar, Diane Noomin, Joe Kubert, Harvey Pekar and Art Spiegelman, to name a few, have joined the pantheon of the comic book pioneers.

Their connection to Jewish faith and culture remains largely undocumented and absent from the day-to-day discussion of our industry … until now.

I am honored and proud to present the first interview in the history of The Story Factory. Rabbi Smicha Weinstein, welcome to Broken Frontier!

Jason Berek-Lewis: Rabbi, thank you for your time. Forgive the bluntness of the question, but you seem to be an anomaly; at once a devout Orthodox Jew and a dedicated comic book fanboy. How do you reconcile these two sides of your life?

Rabbi Simcha Weinstein: To me there is nothing reconcile, growing up as a secular Jew in England I was raised on pop culture and as the Rabbi of the esteemed Pratt Institute (a USA-based college with campuses in Brooklyn and New York), the very school many comics pioneers once attended, I began to wonder why comic books had been invented in that particular time and place, by those particular men.

Every Friday night, my wife and I cram (into our house) a crowd of Jewish Pratt students. Interacting with these gifted art students challenged me, as a Rabbi, to look at those early comic book pioneers from a new, theological perspective. I re-read the classic superhero comics of my youth, this time through the lens of Jewish tradition and spiritual belief.

Jason: I have seen a picture of you posing with some Star Wars Stormtroopers at the San Diego Comic Con. How many cons do you get to and is it difficult to attend and keep kosher as well as keeping the Sabbath?

Rabbi Weinstein: I like to attend the larger cons and thanks to Chabad (a community-based non-profit organization whose efforts are rooted in traditional Jewish values) there is always a synagogue close by and plenty of kosher food.

Jason: You have mentioned that some of your earliest memories involve comic books, superheroes and toys. Which characters and comics did you enjoy as a child and which comics do you read these days?

Rabbi Weinstein: Spiderman was always my favorite and I try to keep up with him as well as X-Men.

Jason: How did you come up with the idea of Up, Up and Oy Vey! ? Why did you decide to research the link between the Jewish religion and culture and the heroes that populate our comics?

Rabbi Weinstein: I had read Michael Chabon’s wonderful book The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay and was interested in finding the real story. I’m also fascinated by biblical archetypes and how they relate to popular culture.

Jason: I know you spent approximately two years researching and writing your book. What did the research involve and how did you go pulling it all together?

Rabbi Weinstein: Reading a lot of archive comics and biographies, also historical books to capture the time periods in question.

Jason: You interviewed many major players in the industry, including Stan Lee. How did you come into contact with the industry legend? Who else did you interview?

Rabbi Weinstein: Sadly many major players in comics have been given the financial recognition that they deserve and are only too happy to be interviewed and tell their story.

Jason: A number of comics, from Vertigo’s Testament to indy titles like David The Shepherd’s Song, Jalila, Armor Quest are influenced by faith. What is your view of this increasing trend?

Rabbi Weinstein: It’s a great medium to explore the world and will become increasingly more relevant in education.

Jason: Given your work on this book, do you have any plans of your own to write comics?

Rabbi Weinstein: Not really. I am currently writing other books that explore biblical and spiritual archetypes within other areas of popular culture, like comedy.

Jason: Lastly, where can readers find out more about you and your book?

Rabbi Weinstein: Visit www.rabbisimcha.com and I will sign the book!

Jason: Rabbi Weinstein, thank you so much for your time. Todah rabah!

Rabbi Weinstein: G-Day Mate!

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