Jordan B. “Gorf” Gorfinkel helps a Wise School sixth grader craft a panel for their graphic Megillah on March 17, 2022.
Standing in Zeldin-Hershenson Hall, Malka Clement watched the man who changed the face of “Batman” comics gush over the artwork of one of her students. Wise School’s Director of Judaic Studies began to cry.
“I’m so moved,” she said. “I just watched how transformative Gorf’s workshop was with one of our students who’s a visual learner … Today, she smiled for the first time.”
During his week as a scholar-in-residence at Stephen Wise Temple and Schools, Jordan B. “Gorf” Gorfinkel—a graphic artist and veteran editor of DC’s “Batman” comic books—had one unifying message: Superpowers aren’t limited to abilities like heat vision or invulnerability. Last Thursday, as fifth and sixth grade students wrote and drew their version of the story of Purim, they began to see that they had special gifts of their own.
“The work he’s doing,” Malka said, “it’s sacred.”
During his decade of editing “Batman,” comics, “Gorf” helped change the face of the industry. By bringing now-feminist icon Harley Quinn from Saturday-morning cartoons into the Dark Knight’s comic continuity, he presided over the emergence of one of the strongest and most recognizable female characters in popular culture. He also helped create the all-female Birds of Prey super team. He insisted on giving actual pants to team member Black Canary, replacing the hyper-sexualized fishnet stockings that had been her trademark. He also oversaw the seminal “No Man’s Land” and “Knightfall” storylines, which have since been adapted into blockbuster films “The Dark Knight Rises,” and the recently-released “The Batman.”
Since he left the comic book world to focus on his family, he’s toured the country educating students and adults about the Jewish underpinnings of superhero stories, from the struggle of maintaining dual identities to the moral imperative to take action in the face of injustice. Those lessons were the foundation for his specially-crafted programming at Wise, which centered on Purim and Passover (as he reminded our community, just remember that “Gorf” is “Frog” backwards).
In the wake of our Super Purim carnival, he helped our clergy and our CYE families draw and write their own Megillah, turning one of Judaism’s most treasured stories into a graphic novel. After our sixth grade students helped chant the (actual) Megillah on Wednesday night, Gorf stood in front of the Wise community in Zeldin-Hershenson Hall and gave a specially-designed, dynamic, interactive multimedia presentation on the Jewish morality of superheroes.
As he brought the presentation to a close, Gorf projected a compelling image from his upcoming work: Queen Esther unveiling a hidden superhero-style Magen David crest on her chest, stepping up to act in the face of evil.
Like most comic book superheroes, Esther had a secret identity. Named Hadassah at birth, the hero of Purim adopted the Persian name “Esther,” which, in Hebrew, translates as “to be hidden.” Though scholars are divided on what that change represents—assimilation (American Jews have English names and Hebrew names, for instance), a display of nationalism, or fear that knowledge of her true identity could bring harm to those she loved—the truth remains that she was known by two names, just as the baby born with the Hebraic-sounding name “Kal-El” becomes “Clark Kent.” Whether Hadassah or Ester, whether Clark Kent or Superman, though, these heroes used their heritage as their source of strength, to protect the innocent from harm.
One of Superman’s Justice League teammates, the Green Lantern Hal Jordan, hides his identity behind a glowing green mask. The green power ring he wears is ostensibly fueled by his indomitable will. While many think that wielding that power ring means that Jordan does not feel fear (a Green Lantern’s greatest enemy), it in fact means that he has the ability to overcome his great fear, and the willpower to then take action. It just so happens that Hal Jordan’s mother is Jewish.
Like Hal Jordan, even though she feels great fear, Esther uses her own special power—love—to overcome it, and in doing so, foils a would-be oppressor and saves her people.
As he worked with our Wise School students on Thursday, Gorf deftly sprinkled his teachings in between advice on penciling, inking, and scripting. By the end of the day, the fifth and sixth grade students had worked together to create their own 77-page graphic Megillah.
Said Gorf after his time at Wise: “Remember that Judaism is your superpower, and Stephen Wise is your Justice League. I look forward to future team-ups with you.”
The experience helped teach the students that all of their gifts—from creativity, artistry, and humor, to kindness, empathy, and understanding—are even more powerful than flight, super speed, titanic strength, or a glowing power ring.
“Purim is a fun day at Wise School,” Malka said, “but this workshop with Gorf just took it to another level.”