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Rambo-vitz
Stallone’s Barney Ross versus our Barney Ross
Sylvester Stallone’s new movie, The Expendables, opens today. Under other circumstances, Tablet Magazine would have happily let this unremarkable display of aging meat puppets (we have heard it called “Valentine’s Day for dudes”) go by unnoticed. But Stallone challenged us, naming his character—the movie’s lead, naturally—Barney Ross. You know, like the famous Jewish boxer and subject of Douglas Century’s great Nextbook Press biography. So who would win the Battle of the Barneys? Let’s compare and contrast.
Occupation:
Professional boxer, gun runner, champion of the Jewish people
Wartime Experience:
Displayed unusual bravery under fire in Guadalcanal, awarded the Silver Star
Memorable quote:
“A champ’s got the right to choose the way he goes out.”
Occupation:
Professional mercenary, gun runner, champion of Dolph Lundgren’s career
Wartime Experience:
Displayed unusual bravery under fire in fighting Eric Roberts.
Memorable quote:
“We are the shadow, the smoke in your eyes, the ghosts that hide in the night.”
Ben-Gurion
The Dispossessed
Hugo Chávez is ramping up his assault on Venezuela’s upper class, and now a rare Jewish paradise is squarely in his sights. Can it be salvaged?
Cheap Eats
An entrepreneur opened a Jewish-themed restaurant in Lviv, Ukraine. Chopped liver is on the menu, but not its price—diners get to haggle over it.
Grace Notes
Orthodox klezmer and bluegrass virtuoso Andy Statman and evangelical country star Ricky Skaggs cross genres and faiths to form a mighty duo
Goodbye to All That
For generations, the Jews of Caracas had idyllic weather, prosperity, and vibrant communal organizations. Things have changed under Hugo Chávez.
