Max Baer and Barney Ross: Jewish Heroes of Boxing (Glen Cove, NY)

The Holocaust Memorial & Tolerance Center of Nassau County (HMTC) presents, Max Baer and Barney Ross: Jewish Heroes of Boxing, a lecture and book signing by author Jeffrey Sussman, on Sunday, February 26, 2017, at 2 p.m. at HMTC, Welwyn Preserve, 100 Crescent Beach Road, Glen Cove, NY.

Max Baer and Barney Ross: Jewish Heroes of Boxing is about two champions of boxing in the 20’s and 30’s who were an inspiration for Jewish fans across the country and throughout the world. The book paints an evocative picture of boxing and the crucial role it played in an era of rising antisemitism. Though they came from very different backgrounds – Baer grew up on his family’s ranch in California, while Ross, who grew up in an Orthodox family, roamed the tough streets of Chicago and was a runner for Al Capone, both became boxing champions.

In the book, Sussman discusses how Baer fought Hitler’s favorite boxer, Max Schmeling, in 1933 in front of 60,000 people at Yankee Stadium while wearing boxing shorts adorned with a Jewish star. Barney Ross had a trilogy of bouts with Jimmy McLarnin, who was known as the Jew Killer for all the Jewish boxers he defeated. Ross, whose real name was Rosofsky, beat McLarnin in their first encounter, lost to him in the second, and won in the third. McLarnin’s manager was so upset by the final decision that he sued Ross and his managers, claiming undo Jewish meddling in the decision. The case was laughed out of court.

Jeffrey Sussman is the author of 11 nonfiction books including No Mere Bagatelles, a biography of handbag designer and Holocaust Survivor Judith Leiber, and his latest book, Max Baer and Barney Ross: Jewish Heroes of Boxing. His first experience with boxing was at the age of 12 when his father took him for 10 boxing lessons at the legendary Stillman’s Gym, where numerous championship boxers trained. He has since written many articles and short stories about boxing and is a regular contributor to the boxing website, boxing.com.

$10 suggested donation











When: Sun., Feb. 26, 2017 at 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm

The Holocaust Memorial & Tolerance Center of Nassau County (HMTC) presents, Max Baer and Barney Ross: Jewish Heroes of Boxing, a lecture and book signing by author Jeffrey Sussman, on Sunday, February 26, 2017, at 2 p.m. at HMTC, Welwyn Preserve, 100 Crescent Beach Road, Glen Cove, NY.

Max Baer and Barney Ross: Jewish Heroes of Boxing is about two champions of boxing in the 20’s and 30’s who were an inspiration for Jewish fans across the country and throughout the world. The book paints an evocative picture of boxing and the crucial role it played in an era of rising antisemitism. Though they came from very different backgrounds – Baer grew up on his family’s ranch in California, while Ross, who grew up in an Orthodox family, roamed the tough streets of Chicago and was a runner for Al Capone, both became boxing champions.

In the book, Sussman discusses how Baer fought Hitler’s favorite boxer, Max Schmeling, in 1933 in front of 60,000 people at Yankee Stadium while wearing boxing shorts adorned with a Jewish star. Barney Ross had a trilogy of bouts with Jimmy McLarnin, who was known as the Jew Killer for all the Jewish boxers he defeated. Ross, whose real name was Rosofsky, beat McLarnin in their first encounter, lost to him in the second, and won in the third. McLarnin’s manager was so upset by the final decision that he sued Ross and his managers, claiming undo Jewish meddling in the decision. The case was laughed out of court.

Jeffrey Sussman is the author of 11 nonfiction books including No Mere Bagatelles, a biography of handbag designer and Holocaust Survivor Judith Leiber, and his latest book, Max Baer and Barney Ross: Jewish Heroes of Boxing. His first experience with boxing was at the age of 12 when his father took him for 10 boxing lessons at the legendary Stillman’s Gym, where numerous championship boxers trained. He has since written many articles and short stories about boxing and is a regular contributor to the boxing website, boxing.com.

$10 suggested donation

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