Name: Harvey Pekar
Alias:
Affiliation:R. Crumb, Dean Haspiel, David Letterman
Bio: Lonely Jewish file clerk or master storyteller? Why can’t he be both? This champion of the working man – and creator of the long-running comic book American Splendor – has given the City of Cleveland a much-needed injection of indie cred.
Strength:The ability to shoot laser beams out of his eyes – naah, just seeing if you’re paying attention. But really, Harvey Pekar does have the ability to humiliate and shame his opponents with his verbal mastery.
Weakness: Age, ex-wives, annoying co-workers.
Exemplary Jewish Value: A champion of the working man, Harvey Pekar personifies social justice in action.
Real World Organizational Match: Avodah: The Jewish Service Corps. Working on urban renewal issues and social justice.
Biblical Validation: Rabbi Levitas of Yavneh used to say: "Be exceeding lowly of spirit, for the hope of man is with worms." (Pirke Avot 4:4) "Better to be humble and among the lowly than to share spoils with the proud." (Proverbs 16:19)
American Splendor
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