Every generation of children needs heroes: people to look up to, admire, respect and emulate as one is growing up. At a time when intermarriage rates are rising and assimilation is a growing phenomenon, it is important to instill in our youth a strong sense of Jewish pride in the Jewish men and women who have overcome adversity to become legends in their own time. Seymour Brody has provided a wonderful biographical tool to teach Jewish and non-Jewish children about the important contributions American Jews have made in various ways in this wonderful update to his Jewish Heroes of America. Brody has made this edition more egalitarian by adding biographical profiles of an additional fifty women (including Jenny Maas Flexner).

Brody's brief (2 pages), but informative, biographical sketches highlight where the heroes have lived and worked, what awards they have won, what professions they have worked in and what accomplishments have brought them fame and the respect of both Jews and non-Jews in America. When known, he also mentions whether they are Ashkenazi or Sephardi and their religious affiliation. Brody's book covers the whole span of American history from the prerevolutionary years to the present. Examples of Jewish soldiers are given for every war that the U.S. has fought. Among the people that are represented are lawyers, rabbis, politicians, businessmen, entertainers, athletes and health care workers. Each entry is accompanied by an illustration by award-winner Art Seiden.

An improvement over the previous edition is the inclusion of a name index, although a subject index and bibliography / reading list are still lacking. At times, the entries read less like narratives and more like resumes. Sometimes, Brody is too vague, using phrases like "played an important role" instead of telling what the specific accomplishments were. It would have been better if Brody has chosen a greater number of stronger role models (he includes Jews who rarely acknowledged their faith and Jews who intermarried).

Overall, the book does an excellent job of paying tribute to Jews from most of the states who have left their mark on America. By including first-generation Americans, Brody also demonstrates that what has made America thrive for centuries is its willingness to accept people from every nation and from every culture, letting them live in a home of freedom where they can fulfill their every dream. This book is very highly reccommended for public, school, synagogue and general Judaica collections for both young adult and children's collections.

Review by:

Steven M. Bergson, Librarian
Albert & Temmy Latner Jewish Public Library of Toronto