I received an email inquiry from a gent who is the current Election Committee Chair for the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame. Seems he has contacted boxing historians and old media types in the past to ask: "Was Max Baer Jewish ?" Nobody could provide him with concrete facts on the subject, yet old Baer fans would often inquire, "Why isn't Max Baer in the IJSHOF ?" To which the committee would reply, "He wasn't Jewish." It was decided that Max could be nominated as a Jewish ICON, rather than a true Jewish sportsmen, largely based on the marketing campaign behind the Schmeling bout, and his continued support of Jews during his lifetime. However, when I replied to the Election Committee Chair, I provided him with irrefutable proof that both of Max's grandparents were Jewish, therefore his Father was Jewish, therefore Max was half Jewish. Soooo, twould appear that this October, Max Baer's name will appear on the annual ballot sent to members of the Committee. I'll keep everyone posted ! Cat
By strict orthodox Jewish Law Max Baer was not Jewish. He was 25% Jewish (on his father's side.) Religious Jewish law requiers one's mother to be Jewish. Howevwr Judaism is more than a religion. In recent years DNA testing has shown that the Jewish people are an ethnic group. Which rather or not Bear ever practiced the religion would make him 25% Jewish. He was also a Jewish icon in the 30's and 40's. He wore the Mogen David or Star of David ("mogen" acatuly means shield) on his trunks in a time when anti-semitism was more prevelent than it is now. Rather or not Bear is Jewish by orthodox standers (he's not). It is my opinion that he should be in the IJSHOF.
You took the words right out of my mouth. Its rather nice to be the 'go to girl' for biographical/historical information on Max Baer. Thanks McGrain !
I actually include the fact that under Orthodox Law one's Jewishness is traced through the maternal line, on my site within the FAQs page question "Was Max Baer Jewish ?" I'll be sure to search for some articles on DNA testing that's very interesting ! If you think about it, what other group is generally known by both its religion and its ethnicity under one and the same name ? When Max Baer stepped into the ring against Max Schmeling, he not only had the Mogen David on his trunks, sewn there by his Aunt Emma Edelstein, but a cestus was tucked into his right glove and a small golden Mogen David was in his left glove.
I dont think DNA follows Jewish law, hence he would be 50% Jewish if it were found that both of his paternal grandparents carried the hebrew gene.
DNA follows the law of secience. I'm not 100% sure but I think I recall reading that only one of his paternal grandparents were Jewish, but if both were you would be correct it would make Baer 50% jewish.
Max Baer should absolutely be in the IJSHOF for what he represented. At a time when the oppresion of jews in Nazi Germany was dominating the world news he took up their cause. He defeated Hitlers champion to line himself up for a title shot and then defeated Musolinis champion to win the title. Baer is 2'0'0 against the axis heavyweight champions in an era when boxing was higly politicised.
I'm sure I read somewhere once that Jack Dempsey had a greater claim to being Jewish then Baer? think his grandmother Helen was Jewish
A joke about Jewish noses. This is a first, thanks ChrisPontius you have opened a whole new world to me. I wonder if any of my friends have heard of this? I bet they'll think I'm so clever. :finger
