After running away from home at the age of 18, Sidney Franklin went to Mexico and was immediately caught up in the sport of bullfighting. He eventually became one of the most famous Jewish-American bullfighters to participate in the sport. The story of Sidney Franklin was immortalized in a novel by his friend, Ernest Hemingway. In his book, Hemingway praised the skill, intelligence, and bravery that this incredible athlete demonstrated. During his lifetime, Franklin won the respect and hearts of bullfighters and spectators alike.
The story of Sidney Franklin is being further commemorated in an exhibit that opened on January 15, at the Beit Hatfutsot museum in Tel Aviv. The exhibit is called “The Game of Their Lives” and highlights nineteen incredible Jewish athletes between the 18th century and 1948, when modern-day Israel became a country.
One of the purposes of this exhibit is to dispel the stereotype that Jews are too weak and inept to perform successfully in their respective arenas. Although this stereotype is outdated, it is still perpetuated today. It has affected many great Jewish athletes, including Sidney Franklin. Despite the fact that Sidney Franklin was one of the best bullfighters of all time, he is unknown by many people today. He did not fit the stereotype and so people did not know how to accept and process his fame and success.
Abraham Lincoln once said, “I don’t like that man. I must get to know him better.” Although this is not the exact philosophy behind “The Game of Their Lives”, it does drive home a powerful point: the best way to unravel stereotypes and myths is to learn the truth. There could be dozens of inspirational, unknown Jewish athletes–like Sidney Franklin–whose remarkable stories are still waiting to be told.
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