We’ve asked lots of people what they think a mensch is – and they told us. Now we want to hear from you! Tell us: It can be a person, a thought, an idea or a few words. Whatever it means to you.
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Doug
from Worcester said on 2016/09/20 at 01:17
Can I be a mensch? Every day I try. Surely this cannot be bound to only one faith. It seems to me that every faith embraces this,
Patti
from BERLIN said on 2015/08/22 at 15:33
I am German and grew up hearing and loving that word. I most times think of that word in relation to keeping your word. If you say your going to do something, then be a mensch and do it. I always thought of my Opa as a real mensch. 🙂
Stephen
from Hingham, MA said on 2015/07/25 at 21:14
“A mentsh haist a mentsh vail er mentsht zich”
א מענטש הייסט א מענטש ווייל ער מענטשט זיך
“A mentsh is called a mentsh because he wrestles with himself.”
– Yiddish proverb found in book by David Ariel
Frankie Mac
from said on 2014/08/13 at 04:00
Being a Mensch includes transparency and honesty, including not hiding within vehicles of honest intent to gain material wealth (good examples being many religious organisations and military actions).
jaime arango hurtado
from colombia said on 2014/07/10 at 03:18
Shalom
G-D bless you
Israel will survive forever
Christian Anzinger
from Milan said on 2014/07/08 at 16:52
Ein Mensch is a person who is fighting ( himself,) with the help of God, his evil inclinations to become a better person for the benefit of our society.
carol weisfelner
from east brunswick said on 2014/07/08 at 14:56
A Mensch is compassionate to everyone he comes in touch with.
Ariel
from Sydney said on 2014/06/17 at 06:45
Are you also rolling this program out to the non jewish population in Israel?
Malachi
from Waverly said on 2014/06/10 at 12:10
A Mensch is a person who know and accepts their strenghts and weaknesses and applies an understanding of their personal limitations in a way that does not crush the spirit of trying to be a good person.
Steven
from Winnipeg said on 2014/05/08 at 16:51
How to Be a Mensch in Business: Bruna Martinuzzi via @MenschFrat http://rbl.ms/1lODOCf
Steven
from Winnipeg said on 2014/05/08 at 16:49
Mensch means "a person of integrity and honor." According to Leo Rosten, the Yiddish maven and author of The Joys of Yiddish, a "mensch" is "someone to admire and emulate, someone of noble character". The key to being "a real mensch" is nothing less than character, rectitude, dignity, a sense of what is right, responsible, decorous. The term is used as a high compliment, expressing the rarity and value of that individual's qualities.
Yaakov Slabiak from Gush Etzion said on 2014/03/16 at 13:10
Yes, Israel has social problems like many societies, but ours stem from a speedy blending of immigrants and their respective values and culture with the Israeli sabras, economic growth, and daily threats to our lives. These are not typical causes.
Miriam Urman
from Boston said on 2014/02/16 at 19:44
Someone that understands and performs the different roles/ functions we have in our lives as a parent, sibling, child, friend, acquaintance, student, teacher, and other roles and always upholds good priorities in these functions.
Avi Sacks
from - said on 2013/02/03 at 17:52
A mensch does what is right because he is commanded to do what is right by G-d.
Another Jew
from Yerushalayim said on 2012/09/12 at 08:28
A “mensch” is someone who understands what distinguishes “man” from animals, and lives accordingly.
Richard
from Yakima,WA said on 2012/08/20 at 08:25
A mensch is selfless and does good rather than put a judgement on others. Honest, trustworthy. A sense of what is just and correct. An easy going affable man in all his affiairs.
abraham twerski
from teaneck, nj said on 2012/05/14 at 13:53
A mensch is someone who implements the traits that animals lack, eg., focusing on a goal in life, resisting improper temptations, doing “chesed,” making amends for mistakes, disinguishing right from wrong and choosing wisely, being considerate.
Jillian Golda Ribeiro
from Pretoria, South africa said on 2012/03/15 at 17:23
I have 3 sons. 1 is studying law, 1 is studying to be a doctor, 1 is a semi prof footballer. To my sons Daniel, David & Julio who have all chosen very different paths say, Being is mensch is NEVER judging and being kind rather than being right.
Bruna Martinuzzi
from West Vancouver, BC Canada said on 2012/03/08 at 04:21
A mensch is “a person in whose presence we feel safe; a person who makes us feel good about ourselves. . . to be called a mensch is the greatest compliment anyone can give you.” This is an excerpt from my book: The Leader as a Mensch (2009.)
Ellyn Camp
from Ocala said on 2012/03/06 at 18:59
A mensch is a person that is sensative to others feelings and privacy. Not quick to pass judgement. Live and let live. It is a person who strives to be accepting of others and is always kind and good to others.
Hirsch
from Chicago, IL said on 2012/03/06 at 03:47
To paraphrase the US Supreme Court, I may not be able to define a mensch, but I know one when I see it.
Dov Lipman
from Bet Shemesh said on 2012/03/04 at 21:48
A mensch is someone who treats everyone else the way he wants to be treated – with honor, with respect, with dignity. One who greets everyone with a friendly “hello” and always looks to help others and anticipate their needs.
Charlie Kalech
from Jerusalem said on 2012/03/04 at 18:09
A Mensch is someone who puts others before him/herself. Someone who is considerate and humble, treating others as they would like to be treated (or even better!)
Laura Ben-David
from Neve Daniel said on 2012/03/04 at 14:35
A mensch is someone who puts others needs and feelings before his own. He is someone with integrity.
Rafi Goldmeier
from Bet Shemesh said on 2012/03/04 at 12:59
A “mensch” is taking responsibility and being responsible, while respecting others..
Daniel Goldman
from Beit Shemesh said on 2012/03/04 at 12:56
My late Father had a habit of treating everyone in the same way. Didn’t matter whether you were the janitor or the Queen of England, you would get the same time and respect. That’s what it means to be a mensch.
Hadassa
from Bet Shemesh said on 2012/02/27 at 17:58
A mentch is someone who treats others well. A mentch is someone who does not judge people based on the way they look or the religion they practice, rather on the way they behave and treat others.