8 | MAY 30 • 2024
J
N
essay
What is a Mensch,
and Who is a Mensch?
A
s a kid growing up in
a Jewish community
in Canton, Ohio, I
heard the word mensch all the
time. My dad was considered
a mensch because he helped
build the shul. Over the
years, I have
had several
mensches in my
life.
But what is a
mensch? What
is the origin of
the word? Do
you have to
be Jewish to be a mensch or
can someone from another
religion be a mensch?
The Merriam-Webster
Dictionary defines a mensch
(spelled differently in various
publications as mentsch,
mentsh, mensch, etc.) coming
from Middle High German,
Old High German or Old
English meaning a person of
integrity and honor. Its first
known use was in 1856 in
Germany.
Wikipedia says during the
Age of Enlightenment, in
Germany the term Humanität,
in the philosophical sense
of compassion, was used in
Humanism to describe what
characterizes a better human
being. The concept goes back
to Cicero’s humanitas, which
was literally translated as
Menschlichkeit in German,
from which the Yiddish word
mensch derives.
Mensch is defined as a
good person, someone to
admire and emulate, someone
of noble character, recitude,
dignity, a sense of what’s
right, responsible, implying
the value of that individual’s
qualities.
One source says it’s small
acts that make a better society.
Another says a person of
integrity and honor, someone
who is empathetic and kind.
One even says a person,
especially a man, regarded
as being honorable, decent,
responsible and having
strength of character.
And the list goes on and on.
So, a man can be a mensch.
But can a woman be a
mensch? How about a boy or
girl? A dog? A cat? After all,
dogs and cats have had bar
and bat mitzvahs.
Carin Davis, a freelance
writer for the Jewish Journal
says a mensch is all the
good stuff served up in one
smoking-hot dish. She says
a mensch is a kind, smart,
funny, giving, inspiring,
exciting guy who makes
your heart smile. The term
mensch is shorthand for a
Jewish man with ineffacble
qualities of intense goodness.
Davis says that besides being a
homemaker (better known as
a balabusta), kick-tush women
need their own tag.
Davis thinks establishing
women as mensches could
be the single-greatest
dating advancment of our
generation. Suddently we’re
classifying ourselves, she says,
as the mind-blowing mates
that men should crave. The
ultimate partners! Incredible
girlfriends that men should
cherish, love and spoil.
MENSCHES IN OUR
POPULAR CULTURE
Wikipedia says the word
mensch and the underlying
concept have had an impact
on popular culture. For
example, the “Mensch on a
Bench” is a Chanukah-themed
book and doll set. A life-sized
version of the doll has been
adopted by Team Israel at the
World Baseball Classic as their
mascot. According to pitcher
Gabe Cramer, “The Mensch is
a great way to have fun in the
dugout while reminding us of
why we’re here and who we’re
representing.”
Some notable mensches
include David Ben-Gurion,
Niels Bohr, Elie Wiesel,
Baruch de Spinoza, Sigmund
Freud, Maimonides, Albert
Einstein, Abraham, Moses
and Jesus. But the question
is, were they mensches or just
key influencers? Is there a
difference?
And women certainly
can be mensches. She’s a
Mensch!: Jewish Women Who
Rocked the World is a book
by Rachelle Burk and Alana
Barou. The book has five stars
and is full of information
and fun facts about Jewish
women who will inspire
any reader. The authors put
together an impressive group
of menschen: athletes, poets,
scientists, actresses, social
activists and even a spy. The
bright skillful illustrations
illuminate each mensch in a
full elegant spread.
After scouring the internet,
I’d say yes, a girl or a boy can
be a mensch if they meet
several or all of the above
definitions.
A dog, cat, bird or other pet
leaves a big question. My gut
says no. Even Lassie, Bingo,
Bluey, Chill and others I leave
for a later conversation.
So, next time you see
someone who you think
meets all the criteria of being
a mensch be it a man, woman,
boy or girl, go ahead and
say it. “You know, you’re a
mensch!” And watch their
face light up. Or they’ll ask
you what that means. And
now you can tell them!
Sandy Hermanoff is a writer and area
public relations consultant.
Sandy
Hermanoff
PURELY COMMENTARY
Team Israel’s
mascot — the
“Mensch on
the Bench”
ISRAEL BASEBALL ASSOCIATION