Max Rosenstock: ‘The Strongest Man in the World,’ Therefore the Strongest Jew in the World

In the 1920s, Mendel “Max” Rosenstock became known as “Max the Strongman” and “The Strongest Man in the World.” A Romanian Jew who immigrated to the U.S., Rosenstock toured the country performing amazing feats of strength. What made him even more extraordinary was that he reportedly stood five-feet-two-inches tall. (In 1931, the Jewish Daily Forward called him “The famous Jewish giant from Romania.”)
 
Information about Max Rosenstock is hard to come by nowadays. Kudos to Forward writer Laurie Gwen Shapiro, whose research formed the basis of her 2016 article about Rosenstock. As you will read in the fascinating piece linked below, Rosenstock was only one of several famous Jewish strongmen — plus one Jewish strongwoman — of the period.
 
Quote: “The famous Jewish giant from Romania, Max Rosenstock, known as the strongest man in the world, will appear today in a number of heroic performances, at the Elite Club, corner Springfield and Roosevelt Rd.One of the most wonderful performances is when he is chained and put into a tight closed box nailed with huge nails. He very easily opens the lid and walks out of the box as if nothing happened. The same evening in a special program, will also participate many Jewish radio and stage stars who will render very interesting and amusing numbers.”
— Jewish Daily Forward | April 20, 1931
 
Sources: Forward.com, Ken’s Blog
 
Read “This 101-Year-Old’s Uncle Was the Strongest Jew in the World” >>
 
Photo: The Forward