Is Spider-Man Jewish?
With the recent success of his hit film The Avengers and the 50th anniversary film reboot release of The Amazing Spider-Man coming this summer, Marvel Studios founder and leader Avi Arad sat down with The Times of Israel writer Jordan Hoffman to discuss Spider-Man’s affiliation with the Jewish people.
Let’s face it, Spider-Man has some decidedly Jewish characteristics. He comes from Forest Hills, Queens – basically a modern day shtetl. Says Arad, “These are practically shtetl Jews living in Queens.” Spider-Man intimidates his challengers with Yiddish zing, using words such as oy, in addition to his sticky webs.
Hoffman goes on to request a Spider-Man installation in the Middle East. “What are the chances that one of the adventures will take us to the Middle East and we’ll meet the all-too-obscure superhero Sabra? You remember Sabra, of course, the raven-haired, beautiful special forces agent Ruth Bat-Seraph?”
Arad responds, “No, they changed her name, now, it is Refaeli. I’m kidding. Of course, we are now in a time when the name 'Sabra' …is not so good for selling a film in international markets. When you have international, corporate interests…I do not think we could take a film to Dubai with Sabra right now, unfortunately.” Well, maybe sometime soon.
Marvel might not officially declare Spider-Man a member of the Tribe, but the evidence cannot be ignored. Read the full interview to decide for yourself!
Let’s face it, Spider-Man has some decidedly Jewish characteristics. He comes from Forest Hills, Queens – basically a modern day shtetl. Says Arad, “These are practically shtetl Jews living in Queens.” Spider-Man intimidates his challengers with Yiddish zing, using words such as oy, in addition to his sticky webs.
Hoffman goes on to request a Spider-Man installation in the Middle East. “What are the chances that one of the adventures will take us to the Middle East and we’ll meet the all-too-obscure superhero Sabra? You remember Sabra, of course, the raven-haired, beautiful special forces agent Ruth Bat-Seraph?”
Arad responds, “No, they changed her name, now, it is Refaeli. I’m kidding. Of course, we are now in a time when the name 'Sabra' …is not so good for selling a film in international markets. When you have international, corporate interests…I do not think we could take a film to Dubai with Sabra right now, unfortunately.” Well, maybe sometime soon.
Marvel might not officially declare Spider-Man a member of the Tribe, but the evidence cannot be ignored. Read the full interview to decide for yourself!