About the Blog

Educating fellow Jews about the sporting and defensive use of firearms. Especially Jews in North America, too many of whom are instilled with the belief that guns aren't for nice Jewish boys and girls.

If you know of notable Jewish shooters that should be documented on the blog, even if it is only at the local club level, I am happy to report and profile them. And don't be shy if that person to be documented is you! Please drop me a line at jewishmarksman at gmail dot com. Also follow me on twitter @JMarksmanship.

Friday, July 29, 2016

1000+ Facebook Likes for Jewish Marksmanship!

Thanks to all the Facebook followers who've hit the "Like" button for the Jewish Marksmanship blog, earlier this week our community has grown to over 1000 users! Please keep encouraging your friends and acquaintances to join in. The larger we get, the more our message spreads.

The Message

And what is our message? As the blog page says, the original idea was:
Educating fellow Jews about the sporting and defensive use of firearms. Especially Jews in North America, too many of whom are instilled with the belief that guns aren't for nice Jewish boys and girls.
However, since our first post in 2009, we've noticed a lot of followers who aren't Jewish, but are happy (and often surprised) to see that American Jews are a vital and vibrant element of America's firearms-supporting community. This is great news, because there are many who would have the world believe otherwise. We work hard to avoid any off-topic politics here on the blog and Facebook, and focus solely on our message. It's paying off.

The Future

There is a ton of content already here on the blog, but most visitors are missing it because it is not well organized. For example, many fail to notice that along the right side there is a "Jewish Shooters" listing which is actually a rudimentary attempt to tag articles. The plan is to do a better job of organizing the existing articles so new visitors spend more time learning about our community and history. We may even shift to another blogging platform.

Outreach

It's frustrating to see at least once a year when a Jewish journalist writes a "I'm Jewish and went to a gun range and loved it!" piece and goes on to write about Jews and guns, completely oblivious to the treasure-trove of information and connections we have here. They do their writing in isolation, relying solely on their own knowledge and experience, completely unaware of how actively and vibrantly Jews are involved in the American firearms community. To that end, we ask that YOU loyal readers help spread the world.

Also keep in mind we are always open not just to information leads, but full-blown articles if any of you readers would like to contribute.

Once again thanks to you all, and let's try not to take 7 years to reach 2000 followers!

Shabbat Shalom from the JM editorial board!



Monday, March 7, 2016

Steve Roman & Artie Goodman Trapshooting Champions and Jewish Marksmen

Found a great article in the New Jersey Jewish News about Jewish Marksman Steve Roman:

 ... Most recently, at the Northern NJ Zone State Trap Shooting Championship in May, he took first place in the A-class doubles and veteran (over 65) singles categories.
 His record of success has even caused Roman to be a bit jaded. “I’ve got a closet full of trophies,” he said. “When I first started out, that meant something. I’ve won state championships, local championships, regional championships…. Maybe at 66 my perspective has changed.

Roman also introduces us in passing to another Jewish Marksman at his club, Artie Goodman:

Roman also said, “You’d be surprised at the number of Jewish shooters.” He pointed out a few men on the range and identified them as such, calling over one elderly gentleman, 80-year-old Artie Goodman, a West Orange resident. Roman calls Goodman “the oldest living Jew shooting.” He took up shotguns when tennis elbow prevented him from shooting target pistols.

Mazal tov to Roman and Artie!

See the article here: http://njjewishnews.com/njjn.com/083106/mwWCaldwellMarksman.html

Friday, February 26, 2016

Ofek Engel and Tal Engler win Bronze at Euro Championships

This week the European Shooting Championships are underway in Györ, Hungary. Europe has strict gun laws, but shooting sports are quite popular and highly competitive. Quite a coup then for two Israeli shooters, Ofek Engel and Tal Engler to win the Bronze in  Air Rifle Mixed Junior team competition!

Mazal Tov!

Monday, February 22, 2016

Jewish Marksman Josh Black dominates Air Rifle for Ohio State

Regulars to the blog are already familiar with Josh and his sister Hannah, two of the best young competitive shooters in the USA. Josh has been stealing back the spotlight from Hannah with some great recent collegiate performances:

COLUMBUS, Ohio – For the first time since 1991, the Ohio State Rifle Team will be headed to the NCAA Rifle Championships after firing a team record 4685 at the NCAA Qualifier match held Saturday at the Hugh W. Wylie Range in Columbus.
  Leading the way for the Ohio State’s individuals was Josh Black who fired a season best 590. 

Mazal tov and good luck to Josh and Ohio State as they advance in the tournament!

Sunday, February 21, 2016

Bethany Shondark Mandel: Freelance Writer and Jewish Markswoman

Today's Jewish Markswoman is Bethany Shondark Mandel. She is freelance writer/blogger of politically right leanings. In a recent piece she wrote for the New York Post we learn:

As a child, I was saved by the presence of a gun in my home. A man tried to climb in my bedroom window one night. My single mother heard the noise, grabbed her gun and explained (though no explanation was really necessary) that it would be in the man’s best interest to return from whence he came.
I’ve always appreciated my mom’s gun possession ever since. But now, as a mother myself, I understand it, too.

Mandel also participates in a female-oriented gun ownership group on Facebook called Responsible Women Gun Owners: https://www.facebook.com/groups/810239475752825/?fref=nf

Mandel is yet another example of the false narrative that all American Jews are anti-gun. To the contrary, Jews of all walks of American life are at the forefront of promoting and preserving the Second Amendment.