Marcus Hardie
Encyclopedia
Marcus Hardie is an American-Israel
i attorney author, and aspiring politician. Hardie, an African-American convert to Judaism
, was raised by his grandmother in a violent and poor neighborhood on the outskirts of Los Angeles
, and joined a gang founded by a cousing. Hardie left his gang after his cousin was killed during a burglary. He began to look for another meaning in life, and gained an interest in Jewish tradition after he read the Biblical stories of the exodus from Egypt. While in college, he began talking to a rabbi, and announced that he planned to convert following a family tragedy. Hardie converted three times, first with Reform, then Conservative, and finally with Orthodox rabbis in 1997. After finishing law school, Hardie worked for California governor Pete Wilson
. In 1999, Hardie moved to Israel
, where he studied at a Jerusalem yeshiva and interned for Ehud Olmert
, then mayor of Jerusalem. In 2000, he enrolled in the Israel Defense Forces
, and joined the elite Golani Brigade
. Hardie saw combat during the Battle of Jenin
before being transferred to the army's legal department, but after six months, he decided to return to a combat position, and was transferred to the 7th Armored Brigade, where he drove and loaded tanks near Israel's northern border and manned checkpoints in the West Bank
. Following his army service, Hardie moved to the Orthodox city of Bnei Brak, and found work as a security guard. He eventually moved back to the United States, but continued to study Judaism, and in 2011, Hardie announced that he would return to Israel within the next two years. Hardie has announced that he plans to get involved in politics, having joined the Likud
party, and become the first African-American member of the Knesset
. He wrote a book of his experiences, Black & Bulletproof.
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
i attorney author, and aspiring politician. Hardie, an African-American convert to Judaism
Judaism
Judaism ) is the "religion, philosophy, and way of life" of the Jewish people...
, was raised by his grandmother in a violent and poor neighborhood on the outskirts of Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, and joined a gang founded by a cousing. Hardie left his gang after his cousin was killed during a burglary. He began to look for another meaning in life, and gained an interest in Jewish tradition after he read the Biblical stories of the exodus from Egypt. While in college, he began talking to a rabbi, and announced that he planned to convert following a family tragedy. Hardie converted three times, first with Reform, then Conservative, and finally with Orthodox rabbis in 1997. After finishing law school, Hardie worked for California governor Pete Wilson
Pete Wilson
Peter Barton "Pete" Wilson is an American politician from California. Wilson, a Republican, served as the 36th Governor of California , the culmination of more than three decades in the public arena that included eight years as a United States Senator , eleven years as Mayor of San Diego and...
. In 1999, Hardie moved to Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
, where he studied at a Jerusalem yeshiva and interned for Ehud Olmert
Ehud Olmert
Ehud Olmert is an Israeli politician and lawyer. He served as Prime Minister of Israel from 2006 to 2009, as a Cabinet Minister from 1988 to 1992 and from 2003 to 2006, and as Mayor of Jerusalem from 1993 to 2003....
, then mayor of Jerusalem. In 2000, he enrolled in the Israel Defense Forces
Israel Defense Forces
The Israel Defense Forces , commonly known in Israel by the Hebrew acronym Tzahal , are the military forces of the State of Israel. They consist of the ground forces, air force and navy. It is the sole military wing of the Israeli security forces, and has no civilian jurisdiction within Israel...
, and joined the elite Golani Brigade
Golani Brigade
The Golani Brigade is an Israeli infantry brigade that is subordinated to the 36th Division and traditionally associated with the Northern Command. Its symbol is a green tree on a yellow background, and its soldiers wear a brown beret. It is one of the most highly decorated infantry units in the...
. Hardie saw combat during the Battle of Jenin
Battle of Jenin
The Battle of Jenin took place in the Jenin refugee camp in the West Bank. Israel Defense Forces entered the camp, and other areas under the administration of the Palestinian Authority, during the Second Intifada, as part of Operation Defensive Shield...
before being transferred to the army's legal department, but after six months, he decided to return to a combat position, and was transferred to the 7th Armored Brigade, where he drove and loaded tanks near Israel's northern border and manned checkpoints in the West Bank
West Bank
The West Bank ) of the Jordan River is the landlocked geographical eastern part of the Palestinian territories located in Western Asia. To the west, north, and south, the West Bank shares borders with the state of Israel. To the east, across the Jordan River, lies the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan...
. Following his army service, Hardie moved to the Orthodox city of Bnei Brak, and found work as a security guard. He eventually moved back to the United States, but continued to study Judaism, and in 2011, Hardie announced that he would return to Israel within the next two years. Hardie has announced that he plans to get involved in politics, having joined the Likud
Likud
Likud is the major center-right political party in Israel. It was founded in 1973 by Menachem Begin in an alliance with several right-wing and liberal parties. Likud's victory in the 1977 elections was a major turning point in the country's political history, marking the first time the left had...
party, and become the first African-American member of the Knesset
Knesset
The Knesset is the unicameral legislature of Israel, located in Givat Ram, Jerusalem.-Role in Israeli Government :The legislative branch of the Israeli government, the Knesset passes all laws, elects the President and Prime Minister , approves the cabinet, and supervises the work of the government...
. He wrote a book of his experiences, Black & Bulletproof.