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History's Most Badass Jews

Bugsy Siegel, Kerri Strug and, of course, Jesus make the list

By Will McCahill,  Newser Staff

Posted Dec 13, 2009 5:10 AM CST

(Newser) – The beginning of Hanukkah gave Sam Greenspan the excuse to give us his list of history’s most-badass Jews. Some highlights:

  • The Maccabees: “Led Jewish fighters into battles against the armies of Seleucia, Syria, and Rome … and won,” leading to the rededication of the Temple of Jerusalem that the holiday celebrates. The top badasses.
  • Bugsy Siegel: The gangster behind Las Vegas is a lock, and “you know Bugsy's hardcore because, when he got the biopic treatment, the role of Bugsy Siegel was played by Warren Beatty. No Jason Alexander or Paul Reiser casting here.”

  • Bill Goldberg: Pro wrestler also played in the NFL “and even played a murderin’ Santa Claus in the 2005 movie Santa’s Slay.”
  • Kerri Strug: Gymnast famously nailed the landing on a seriously injured ankle at the 1996 Olympics. “Name one other Jewish woman who's that tough.”
  • David Berkowitz: Before the Son of Sam serial killer “became a Satanic murderer, he was born a Jew … and, yeah, he’s one scary son-of-a-bitch.”
  • Jesus: “Brutally tortured in a way that would even shock Mad Max … and STILL was badass enough to just take it in stride and die for your sins.”
For the rest of the list, click the link at right.

Benjamin Bugsy Siegel, seen in a 1941 photo.
Benjamin "Bugsy" Siegel, seen in a 1941 photo.   (AP Photo)
Jesus, an original Jewish badass.
Jesus, an original Jewish badass.   (Wikimedia Commons)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 30 comments
DieselDawg
Dec 19, 2009 6:06 AM CST
whoa- just caught this by accident- thanks for adding to the Beastie Boys motif
kyleleitch
Dec 15, 2009 4:34 AM CST
Jesus was NOT a Jew. He was a CHRISTIAN. and he was WHITE. and a REPUBLICAN. and he HATED GAYS. (sarcasm)
njgreen
Dec 14, 2009 12:46 PM CST
@Cyclops I'm Jewish. I'm talking about my friends who went to Catholic School. Do you know how many times they would tell me that the Jews killed Jesus, and that I was a Christ-killer going to Hell? I'm not bitter though, actually pretty psyched that in our current time that's not taught anymore and that most people don't say it. I'm also psyched by your reaction because it shows that the idea seems strange and awful to you too, which is good.

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