Gadot in 2013, photo by DFree/Bigstock.com

Place of Birth: Petah Tikva, Israel

Date of Birth: April 30, 1985

Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish

Gal Gadot is an Israeli actress and model. She was Miss Israel 2004, and is known for starring as Gisele Yashar in the Fast and Furious films; as Wonder Woman in the DC Cinematic Universe, starting with Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016); and for her roles in the films Date Night, Knight and Day, Kicking Out Shoshana, Triple 9, Criminal (2016), Keeping Up with the Joneses, Red Notice, Death on the Nile (2022), and Heart of Stone. She is 5′10″.

Gal was born to a Jewish family in Israel. She is the daughter of Irit, a physical education teacher, and Michael Gadot, an engineer, and was raised partly in Rosh HaAyin. Her father is a sixth-generation Israeli. Her family were Jewish emigrants from Belarus, Lithuania, Russia, Poland, Austria, Slovakia, Germany, and Ukraine. Gal is married to Israeli businessperson Jaron “Yaron” Varsano, with whom she has three children. Yaron has Turkish Jewish ancestry.

In Hebrew, Gal means “wave” and Gadot means “riverbank” or “shore.” Her family’s name was originally Greenstein.

Gal’s paternal grandfather is Arye Zeev Greenstein (the son of Michael Greenstein and Shulamit Natkin/Notkin). Arye was born in Tel Aviv, Israel. Michael was born in Petah Tikva, Israel, the son of Wolf Leib Grinstein and Sara Goldberg. Gal’s great-grandmother Shulamit was born in Jerusalem, Israel, where many generations of her family had been born, and was the daughter of Natan Neta Natkin and Hana Lea/Leah Michlin. Gal’s great-great-grandfather Natan, whose family was from Jerusalem, had ancestors from Belarus and Lithuania, including evident descent from Talmudist Yisroel ben Shmuel of Shklov (1770-1839), who was born in Shklov, Lithuania. Gal’s great-great-grandmother Hana was born in Jerusalem, to a father from Khislavichi, Russia, and a mother who was born in Jerusalem, to a father from Yassvein, Lithuania, and a mother from Jerusalem, who had ancestors in Lithuania and Belarus.

Gal’s paternal grandmother was named Miriam Glicksman (the daughter of Samuel Glicksman). Miriam was evidently born in Austria.

Gal’s maternal grandfather was Abraham Weiss (born Adolf Weiss, the son of Zeev Weiss and Yehudit Yakubovitz). Abraham was born in Mukacheve, Zakarpats’ka oblast, Ukraine, and survived the Auschwitz concentration camp. He lost most of his family in the Holocaust. Gal discusses her grandfather, along with a picture, at this, this, and this link. Gal’s great-grandfather Zeev was the son of Yakov Weiss and Tzipora Klein. Gal’s great-grandmother Yehudit was killed in Auschwitz, in 1944. She was the daughter of Dov Yakubovitz and Bluma.

Gal’s maternal grandmother was Rachel Yehudit Kaufman (the daughter of Isaac Kaufman/Koffman and Tzarka Messenberg). Tzarka was the daughter of Shmuel Messenberg and Chaya.

Gadot in 2013, photo by DFree/Bigstock.com

Sources: Information about Gal’s background – http://www.ynet.co.il
http://www.rollingstone.com

Genealogy of Gal Gadot – https://www.geni.com

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LOS ANGELES – AUG 7: Krosney arriving at the Disney / ABC Television Group 2011 Summer Press Tour Party at Beverly Hilton Hotel on August 7, 2011 in Beverly Hills, CA, photo by kathclick/Bigstock.com

Birth Name: Alexandra Benjamin Krosney

Place of Birth: Los Angeles, California, United States

Date of Birth: January 28, 1988

Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish

Alexandra Krosney is an American actress and voice actress . She is known for her role on the series Last Man Standing.

Alexandra’s paternal grandfather was Emanuel Krosney/Krosnery (the son of Isidore Krosney/Krosnery and Estelle Jeanette Libowitz/Liebowitz). Emanuel was born in New York. Isidore was born in Russia. Estelle was born in New York, to parents from Russia.

Alexandra’s paternal grandmother was Ruth B. Kugelman (the daughter of Samuel Kugelman and Bella Ackerman). Ruth was born in New York, to parents from Poland/Austria and Lithuania, respectively.

Alexandra’s maternal grandfather was surnamed Gottlieb.

Sources: Alexandra’s paternal grandfather, Emanuel Krosney/Krosnery, on the 1930 U.S. Census – http://familysearch.org

Alexandra’s paternal grandmother, Ruth B. (Kugelman) Krosney, on the 1930 U.S. Census – http://familysearch.org

Obituary of Alexandra’s paternal grandmother, Ruth B. (Kugelman) Krosney – http://legacy.com

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Birth Name: Jonathan Elihu Silverman

Place of Birth: Los Angeles, California, United States

Date of Birth: August 5, 1966

Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish

Jonathan Silverman is an American actor. He is known for his roles in the films Girls Just Want to Have Fun, Brighton Beach Memoirs, Caddyshack II, Stealing Home, Weekend at Bernie’s, and its sequel; Class Action, Age Isn’t Everything, Little Sister, Breaking the Rules, Little Big League, French Exit, Neil Simon’s The Odd Couple II, Denial (1998), The Cookout, Beethoven’s Big Break, Crawlspace (2013), and Frank & Ava; on the series Gimme a Break! and The Single Guy; and in the made-for-tv movies Traveling Man, 12:01, Sketch Artist II: Hands That See, These Old Broads, and Bobbie’s Girl.

Jonathan is the son of of Devora and Hillel Emanuel Silverman, a rabbi, in the Conservative denomination. His father was born in Connecticut. His mother was from Jerusalem, Israel. His parents were both Ashkenazi Jews.

Jonathan is married to Canadian actress Jennifer Finnigan, with whom he has a daughter.

Jonathan’s paternal grandfather was Rabbi Morris Silverman (the son of Simon D. Silverman and Lena Friedland/Friedlander). Rabbi Morris was born in Newburgh, New York, to Russian Jewish parents. He edited the High Holiday Prayer Book, known as the “Silverman Machzor,” which became the official prayer book of Conservative Judaism for over half a century. He published it through his Prayer Book Press.

Jonathan’s paternal grandmother was Althea Harriet Osber (the daughter of Philip Osber and Rose Wolkenberg/Woldenberg). Althea was born in New York, to Russian Jewish/Polish Jewish parents. Rose was the daughter of Harris Abraham Hershel Zvi Woldenberg and Rebecca/Rivka Lipka.

Jonathan’s maternal grandfather was Eliya Yosef/Joseph Halavan/Halaban (the son of Yitzchak Yaakov Halaban and Haya Bluma Cohen). Yosef was born in Jerusalem, Israel. Yitzchak was the son of Efraim Halaban and Sara Tzvia Belea, who were from Shkloŭ, Mogilev Region, Belarus. Haya was the daughter of Zvi Hersh Cohen and Shprinze.

Jonathan’s maternal grandmother was Frieda/Freida Yona Neviaski/Naviskey (the daughter of Yakov Yisrael Neviaski and Chana Leah Evianski). Yakov was born in Kaunas, Lithuania, the son of Eliezer Kalman Neviazhsky and Tauba Volk. Chana was the daughter of Naftali Evianski and Pesha Tovah Kelmer, whose family were also from Lithuania.

Sources: Genealogy of Jonathan Silverman – https://www.geni.com

Marriage record of Jonathan’s parents – https://www.familysearch.org

Jonathan’s father on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org

Obituary of Jonathan’s father – https://eng.bharattimes.co.in

Marriage record of Jonathan’s paternal grandparents, Rabbi Morris Silverman and Althea Harriet Osber – https://www.familysearch.org

Jonathan’s paternal grandparents, Rabbi Morris Silverman and Althea Harriet Osber, on the 1920 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org

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LOS ANGELES – NOV 1: Garfin at “The Peanuts Movie” Los Angeles Premiere at the Village Theatre on November 1, 2015 in Westwood, CA, kathclick/Bigstock.com

Birth Name: Alexander Garfin

Place of Birth: New York City, New York, U.S.

Date of Birth: September 23, 2003

Ethnicity:
*father – Ashkenazi Jewish
*mother – three quarters Italian, one quarter British Isles [English, Irish]

Alex Garfin is an American actor. He stars as Jordan Kent / Superboy on the series Superman & Lois.

Source: Genealogy of Alex Garfin – https://www.geni.com

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Birth Name: Gregor Florian Gysi

Place of Birth: Lichtenberg, East Berlin, Soviet occupation zone of Germany

Date of Birth: January 16, 1948

Ethnicity:

*37.5% German (including Baltic German, 1/32 Austrian and remote Swiss-German)

*25% Ashkenazi Jewish

*25% Russian

*12.5% Walloon, possibly remote Sephardi Jewish

Gregor Gysi is an German politician, attorney, and author.

Gregor Gysi’s parents were Klaus Gysi and Irene Olga Lydia Lessing. Both were communists and part of the German resistance during the Nazi Era.

Klaus Gysi was born in Berlin to Herrmann Gysi, a doctor, and Erna Polowsky, an accountant.

His paternal grandfather, Herrmann Gysi, was also from Berlin. His surname can be traced back to Samuel Gysin, who was born in 1681 and emigrated to Germany in the early 17th century from Läufelfingen, Switzerland.

His paternal grandmother, Erna Polowsky, was from Bensheim, Hesse, and her parents were Julius Potolowsky and Karoline Frank. Julius Potolowsky was likely Russian and not Jewish, as Erna was classified as a Half-Jew by the Nazi government. Karolina Frank was from a Jewish family that had lived in Rhineland-Palatinate for generations. She was killed in the Holocaust in 1943. Her parents were named Marx Franck and Esther Dreifus.

Irene Olga Lydia Lessing was born in Saint Petersburg, Russia. Her family was expelled to Germany at the beginning of World War I. Her parents were Gottfried Lessing and Tatjana von Schwanebach.

The parents of his maternal grandfather, Gottfried Lessing, were Anton Lessing and Lydia Marie Francoise de Cuyper. Anton was a German Jew from Bavaria who came to Russia after his commercial apprenticeship to start industrial companies. He administered a mine that employed over 40,000 people and later founded the Kolomnaer Maschinenbau-AG, which played a key role in the industrialization of Russia. Lydia Marie Francoise de Cuyper was from Liege, Belgium. Her parents were Antoine de Cuyper and Francoise Saporta. The surname Saporta is almost exclusively found among Sephardi Jews of Spanish origin and also in a few Christian families who could have left Judaism after the Reconquista.

His maternal grandmother, Tatjana von Schwanebach, was from Russia. Her parents were Nicolai Anton von Schwanebach and Olga Saburowa. Olga was from a Russian noble family, and Nicolai was from a noble family of German origin with some Austrian ancestry. His mother, Caroline von Brückner, was Baltic German and was born in Cēsis, Latvia.

Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gregor_Gysi

https://www.geni.com/people/Gregor-Gysi/6000000023514060551?through=6000000023514137118

https://www.sephardichorizons.org/Volume3/Issue3/tagger.html

https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gregor_Gysi

https://www.stolpersteine-berlin.de/de/taunusstr/11/feodor-potolowsky

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Gerber in 2016, photo by Prphotos

Birth Name: Kaia Jordan Gerber

Place of Birth: Los Angeles, California, U.S.

Date of Birth: September 3, 2001

Ethnicity:
*father – Ashkenazi Jewish
*mother – English, Danish, Scots-Irish/Northern Irish, Scottish, German, distant Irish and Welsh, remote French and Jersey Channel Islander

Kaia Gerber is an American actress and model. Her roles include the films Babylon and Bottoms, the show American Horror Stories, and the made-for-tv movie Sister Cities.

She is daughter of businessperson and model Rande Gerber and model and actress Cindy Crawford. Her brother, Presley Gerber, also models. A picture of Kaia’s parents can be seen here.

Her father is Jewish, of Austrian Jewish, Polish Jewish, Russian Jewish, and Belarusian Jewish descent. Her mother has English, one eighth Danish, Scots-Irish/Northern Irish, Scottish, German, distant Irish and Welsh, and remote French and Jersey Channel Islander, ancestry. Some of her mother’s family lines have lived in the United States since the 1600s.

Kaia has said:

…my dad is Jewish and my mom is Christian so we grew up doing both; we call it Christmas Chrismukah. I love learning about both of those sides of my life. We’d do Passover, Passover dinner and Yom Kippur. I love learning all of that – and learning the cooking.

Kaia’s paternal grandfather was Jordan Gerber (the son of Solomon/Saul/Paul Gerber and Stella D./S. Alexander). Jordan was born in New York. Solomon was born in New York, to an Austrian Jewish father and a New York-born mother, whose Jewish family was from the Poland-Russia area. Stella was born in New York, the daughter of Harry Alexander, who was a Polish Jewish immigrant, and of Sophie Feinberg, who was born in New York, to Russian Jewish parents.

Kaia’s paternal grandmother was born Ellen Goldberg (the daughter of Alan Irving Goldberg/Gould and Roslyn B. Schwartz). Ellen was born in New York. Alan was born in New York, the son of David Meyer/Meier Goldberg and Rebecca “Bashia” Gutstein/Goodstein, who were Russian Jewish immigrants. Roslyn was also born in New York, the daughter of New York-born parents, Robert L. Schwartz, whose parents were Russian Jews, and Ida Weinberg, whose parents were Belarusian Jewish immigrants.

Kaia’s grandfather is Daniel Kenneth Crawford (the son of Kenneth Leroy Crawford and Ramona Eileen Hemingway). Daniel was born in Winnebago, Faribault, Minnesota. Kaia’s great-grandfather Kenneth was the son of David P. Crawford, who was born in Ballymoney, co. Antrim, Ulster, Ireland, and of Amelia Christina/Christine Maria/Marie Hansen/Hanson, who was born in Wisconsin, to Danish parents. Ramona was the daughter of Frank Randall Hemingway and Hazel Mae/May Brown.

Kaia’s maternal grandmother is Jennifer Sue Walker (the daughter of James Richard Walker and Dorothy May/Mae Montgomery). Jennifer was born in DeKalb, DeKalb Co., Illinois. James was the son of James D. Walker and Leola M. Wheeler. Dorothy was the daughter of Almon Montgomery and Ada Belle Kallembach.

Sources: Genealogy of Kaia Gerber – https://www.geni.com

Kaia’s paternal great-grandfather, Solomon/Saul/Paul Gerber, on the 1910 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

Kaia’s paternal great-great-grandmother, Dora Rosenberg, on the 1900 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

Kaia’s paternal great-grandmother, Stella D./S. Alexander, on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

Kaia’s paternal grandmother, Ellen Goldberg, on the 1940 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

Marriage record of Kaia’s paternal great-grandparents, Alan Irving Goldberg/Gould and Roslyn B. Schwartz – https://familysearch.org

Genealogy of Kaia’s paternal great-grandfather, Alan Irving Goldberg/Gould – https://www.geni.com

Kaia’s paternal great-grandfather, Alan Irving Goldberg/Gould, on the 1910 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org
Alan Irving Goldberg/Gould on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

Marriage record of Kaia’s paternal great-great-grandparents, David Meyer/Meier Goldberg and Rebecca “Bashia” Gutstein/Goodstein – https://familysearch.org

Kaia’s paternal great-grandmother, Roslyn B. Schwartz, on the 1920 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org
Roslyn B. Schwartz on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

Genealogy of Kaia Gerber (focusing on her mother’s side) – https://www.wikitree.com

Genealogy of Kaia’s mother – https://famouskin.com

Genealogies of Kaia’s maternal great-grandparents, Kenneth Leroy Crawford and Ramona Eileen Hemingway – http://www.findagrave.com

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Birth Name: Stephen W. Levine

Place of Birth: Albany, New York, USA

Date of Birth: July 17, 1937

Place of Death: New Mexico, USA

Date of Death: January 17, 2016

Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish

Ancestry/Genealogy: Stephen Levine was an American author, poet, and teacher. His most notable work was on the topic of death and dying.

Stephen Levine was the son of Clarence Samuel Levine and Ruth Ermine Wein.

His paternal grandfather was Henry Myer Levine, the son of Bessie and Harry J. Levine. Henry was born in Vilna, Russia.

His paternal grandmother was Dinah Josephs, the daughter of Sarah and  Samuel Joseph. Dinah was born in Boston, Massachusetts, to a Polish Jewish father and a German Jewish mother.

His maternal grandparents were Joseph Wein and Ethel Falk. Both Joseph and Ethel were Russian Jewish.

Source:  https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/157256262/stephen-levine (Stephen Levine’s obituary)

https://www.spiritualityandpractice.com/explorations/teachers/view/167/stephen-levine

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Birth Name: Steven Barry Lipkin

Place of Birth: New York City, New York, USA

Date of Birth: February 23, 1942

Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish

Ancestry/Genealogy: Steve Barri is an American songwriter and record producer.

He was the son of Isidore Jacob Lipkin and Ida Dreiblat.

His paternal grandparents were Julius Lipkin and Rose Duboff. Julius and Rose were Russian Jewish.

His maternal grandparents were Benjamin Dreiblat and Sophia Ben Heim. Benjamin and Sophia were Polish Jewish.

Source: https://stevebarri.com/bio (Biography of Steve Barri)

ancestry.com public records

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Birth Name: Jackson James White

Date of Birth: c. March 1996

Ethnicity:
*maternal grandfather – Ashkenazi Jewish
*maternal grandmother – German, English, Swiss-German, French, Scottish

Jackson White is an American actor. His roles include the films SPF-18, The Space Between, Ambulance, and Pet Sematary: Bloodlines, and the shows The Middle, SEAL Team, Mrs. Fletcher, and Tell Me Lies.

He is the son of Katey Sagal (Catherine Louise Sagal), an actress, singer, and songwriter, and Jack White, a drummer for prominent singers. His stepfather is screenwriter, director, producer, and actor Kurt Sutter. He is a grandson of Boris Sagal, a director and writer, and Sara Macon (born Sara Elizabeth Zwilling), a director and singer, who had a radio show as a child; and the nephew of actress and director Jean Sagal and actress, screenwriter, and film editor Liz Sagal.

Jackson was raised in Los Angeles, California, and Nashville, Tennessee.

Jackson’s maternal grandfather was Boris Sagal (the son of Lewis/Louis Sagal and Rose Simina). Boris was born in Yekaterinoslav, Soviet Union, present day Ukraine, to a Jewish family, and came to the U.S. c. 1928. Lewis was the son of Berka Sagal, who was born in Lipen’, Asipovichy District, Mogilev Region, Belarus, and of Basha. Rose was born in Dnipro, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, Ukraine, the daughter of Hasya Simina.

Jackson’s maternal grandmother was Sara Zwilling (the daughter of Daniel Frederick Zwilling, Jr. and Virginia Lee Thompson). Sara was born in Geneva, Illinois, and spent time growing up in South Carolina. Daniel was born in State Center, Iowa, the son of Daniel F. Zwilling, Sr., whose parents were ethnic Germans, from Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg and Alsace-Lorraine, France, respectively; and of Alda Blanche Miller. Jackson’s great-grandmother Virginia was born in Mobile Co., Alabama, to parents from Mississippi, Nathaniel Quitman Thompson and Virginia/Jennie Michaux Macon.

Sources: Jackson’s mother’s appearance on the genealogy show Who Do You Think You Are?, 2016 – https://www.youtube.com

Genealogy of Jackson White (focusing on his mother’s side) – http://www.geni.com

Genealogy of Jackson’s maternal grandmother, Sara Zwilling (focusing on her father’s side) – http://www.findagrave.com

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Feinstein in 2009, photo by Prphotos

Birth Name: Dianne Emiel Goldman

Date of Birth: June 22, 1933

Place of Birth: San Francisco, California, United States

Date of Death: September 28, 2023

Place of Death: Washington, D.C., U.S.

Ethnicity:
*father – Ashkenazi Jewish
*mother – Russian, German and/or Ashkenazi Jewish

Dianne Feinstein was an American politician. A member of the Democratic Party, she served as Mayor of San Francisco, from November 27, 1978 to January 8, 1988, and a U.S. Senator from California, from November 4, 1992 to September 28, 2023, her death; as well as, as President of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, from January 9, 1978 to December 4, 1978, Chair of the Senate Rules Committee, from January 3, 2007 to January 3, 2009, and Chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, from January 3, 2009 to January 3, 2015, among other duties. As mayor she led the renovation of San Francisco’s cable car system. She was the first woman to preside over a U.S. presidential inauguration, in 2009, and the longest-serving senator from California; in 2012, she received the most votes by any Senate candidate in U.S. history, 7.86 million. She authored the 1994 Federal Assault Weapons Ban.

Dianne was the daughter of Betty (Rosenburg/Rosenberg), a model, and Leon Goldman, a surgeon. Her father was born in California, to a Polish Jewish father and a Russian Jewish mother. Her mother was born in St. Petersburg, Russia, and was of the Russian Orthodox (Christian) religion. It is not clear exactly what Dianne’s mother’s ancestry was. She may have had Russian, German, and/or Jewish ancestry.

Dianne identified as Jewish by religion.

Dianne was married to investment banker Richard C. Blum, until his death. She had a daughter, judge Katherine Feinstein Mariano, with her first husband, attorney Jack Berman. Her surname is from her second husband, neurosurgeon Bertram Feinstein, to whom she was married until his death.

Dianne’s paternal grandfather was named Samuel Gelleorivich/Goldman. Samuel was born in Poland.

Dianne’s paternal grandmother was Lillie/Lilly Kalfin/Kalvin (the daughter of Hershel David Kalfin and Chaya Sura). Lillie was born in Russia, to parents from Germany.

Dianne’s maternal grandfather was named David M. Rosenberg/Rosenburg. David was born in Rica, Russia.

Dianne’s maternal grandmother was named Helen Achimia Mussiev/Moiseyev.

Sources: Genealogies of Dianne Feinstein – http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com
https://www.geni.com

Genealogies of Dianne’s parents – https://www.findagrave.com

Likely Dianne’s mother on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

The post Dianne Feinstein RIP appeared first on Ethnicity of Celebs | EthniCelebs.com.

Silverman at the party celebrating the launch of Nintendo’s Game Console Wii. Boulevard 3, Los Angeles, California. November 16, 2006. s_bukley/Bigstock.com

Birth Name: Jonathan Elihu Silverman

Place of Birth: Los Angeles, California, United States

Date of Birth: August 5, 1966

Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish

Jonathan Silverman is an American actor. He is known for his roles in the films Girls Just Want to Have Fun, Brighton Beach Memoirs, Caddyshack II, Stealing Home, Weekend at Bernie’s, and its sequel; Class Action, Age Isn’t Everything, Little Sister, Breaking the Rules, Little Big League, French Exit, Neil Simon’s The Odd Couple II, Denial (1998), The Cookout, Beethoven’s Big Break, Crawlspace (2013), and Frank & Ava; on the series Gimme a Break! and The Single Guy; and in the made-for-tv movies Traveling Man, 12:01, Sketch Artist II: Hands That See, These Old Broads, and Bobbie’s Girl.

Jonathan is the son of of Devora and Hillel Emanuel Silverman, a rabbi, in the Conservative denomination. His father was born in Connecticut. His mother was from Jerusalem, Israel. His parents were both Ashkenazi Jews.

Jonathan is married to Canadian actress Jennifer Finnigan, with whom he has a daughter.

Jonathan’s paternal grandfather was Rabbi Morris Silverman (the son of Simon D. Silverman and Lena Friedland/Friedlander). Rabbi Morris was born in Newburgh, New York, to Russian Jewish parents. He edited the High Holiday Prayer Book, known as the “Silverman Machzor,” which became the official prayer book of Conservative Judaism for over half a century. He published it through his Prayer Book Press.

Jonathan’s paternal grandmother was Althea Harriet Osber (the daughter of Philip Osber and Rose Wolkenberg/Woldenberg). Althea was born in New York, to Russian Jewish/Polish Jewish parents. Rose was the daughter of Harris Abraham Hershel Zvi Woldenberg and Rebecca/Rivka Lipka.

Jonathan’s maternal grandfather was Eliya Yosef/Joseph Halavan/Halaban (the son of Yitzchak Yaakov Halaban and Haya Bluma Cohen). Yosef was born in Jerusalem, Israel. Yitzchak was the son of Efraim Halaban and Sara Tzvia Belea, who were from Shkloŭ, Mogilev Region, Belarus. Haya was the daughter of Zvi Hersh Cohen and Shprinze.

Jonathan’s maternal grandmother was Frieda/Freida Yona Neviaski/Naviskey (the daughter of Yakov Yisrael Neviaski and Chana Leah Evianski). Yakov was born in Kaunas, Lithuania, the son of Eliezer Kalman Neviazhsky and Tauba Volk. Chana was the daughter of Naftali Evianski and Pesha Tovah Kelmer, whose family were also from Lithuania.

Sources: Genealogy of Jonathan Silverman – https://www.geni.com

Marriage record of Jonathan’s parents – https://www.familysearch.org

Jonathan’s father on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org

Obituary of Jonathan’s father – https://eng.bharattimes.co.in

Marriage record of Jonathan’s paternal grandparents, Rabbi Morris Silverman and Althea Harriet Osber – https://www.familysearch.org

Jonathan’s paternal grandparents, Rabbi Morris Silverman and Althea Harriet Osber, on the 1920 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org

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Place of Birth: Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA

Date of Birth: May 23, 1927

Place of Death: San Mateo, California, USA

Date of Death: January 6, 2021

Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish

Ancestry/Genealogy: Gerald Hiken was an American actor. Some of his work included The Goddess, Invitation to a Gunfighter, The Three Sisters, The Candidate, etc.

Gerald Hiken was the son of Nathan Hiken and Miriam Shapiro. Nathan was Russian Jewish and Marian was Romanian Jewish.

His paternal grandparents were Joseph Yosef Hiken (the son of Yichiel Chaiken Hiken and Genia Bat Esel) and Chaya Gisha Eskin.

Source: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/223368848/gerald-hiken/photo (Gerald Hiken’s obituary)

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/sfgate/name/gerald-hiken-obituary?id=7175271

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NEW YORK-JULY 16: Writer David Goyer attends the world premiere of “The Dark Knight Rises” at AMC Lincoln Square Theater on July 16, 2012 in New York City.

Birth Name: David Samuel Goyer

Place of Birth: Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States

Date of Birth: December 22, 1965

Ethnicity:
*father – German, possibly other
*mother – Ashkenazi Jewish

David S. Goyer is an American film director, screenwriter, film producer, novelist, and comic book writer. He is known for writing the screenplay for superhero films Nick Fury: Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D., the Blade trilogy, The Dark Knight trilogy, Man of Steel, and Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.

He was raised by his mother, who was Jewish. His father had German, and possibly other, ancestry.

David’s paternal grandfather was Wilmer Frederick Goyer (the son of Albert William Goyer and Ella Hannah Dietsch). Wilmer was born in Ohio. Albert was born in Ohio, the son of Georg Heinrich Goyer/Gayer, who was German, and of Catherine Ault, whose parents were German. Ella was born in Ohio, the daughter of John Frederick Dietsch/Ditsch, whose parents were from Alsace, France, and of Hannah Shrote/Schroth, whose father was German, and whose mother was the daughter of German parents.

David’s paternal grandmother was named Mary Elizabeth Morey. Mary was born in Ohio. According to the 1930 United States Census, she was the adopted daughter of Andrew/Andry Morey, who was from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and of Mary Ola Hochstetter, who was mostly of German, English, Swiss-German, Scottish, and Dutch descent.

David’s maternal grandfather was Theodore Jay Levitan (the son of Samuel Clemens Levitan and Elinor Pearl Riche/Rachovsky). Theodore was born in Colorado. Samuel was born in Illinois, to parents from Poland/Russia, Harry Levitan and Lena Miskutz. Elinor was born in Colorado, to parents from Poland, Isaac Abraham Rachovsky and Fanny Goldberg.

David’s maternal grandmother was Lucille Turoff (the daughter of Bernhard/Bernard D. Turoff and Hattie Ethel Kagan). Lucille was born in Illinois. Bernhard was born in Russia. Hattie was born in Illinois, to parents from Russia, Abraham Kagan and Nettie Resnick.

Sources: Obituary of David’s paternal grandfather, Wilmer Frederick Goyer – https://www.barkerfuneral.com/obituary/2140290

David’s paternal grandmother, Mary Elizabeth Morey, on the 1930 United States Census – https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X4H3-KQB

Genealogy of David’s maternal grandparents, Theodore Jay Levitan and Lucille Turoff – https://www.familysearch.org/tree/pedigree/landscape/G8SV-N5K

Photo by Debby Wong/Bigstock.com

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LOS ANGELES – MAR 1: Jenna Leigh Green at the Ghost Whisperer 100th episode celebration in West Hollywood, California on March 1, 2010.

Birth Name: Jennifer Leigh Greenberg

Place of Birth: Los Angeles, California, United States

Date of Birth: August 22, 1974

Ethnicity:
*68.75% British Isles [English, Irish, Scottish, Northern Irish/Scots-Irish]
*25% Ashkenazi Jewish
*6.25% French-Canadian

Jenna Leigh Green is an American actress and singer. She is known for her work on sitcom Sabrina The Teenage Witch and the musical Wicked.

Jenna’s paternal grandfather was Harold J. Greenberg/Greenburg (who likely was the son of Morris Greenberg/Greenburg and Rose). Harold was born in Connecticut, to parents from Russia.

Jenna’s paternal grandmother likely was named Helen McGrath (who likely the daughter of John F. McGrath and Margaret C. O’Brien). Helen was born in Connecticut, to parents from Ireland.

Jenna’s maternal grandfather likely was Walter Reid Ruddock (the son of Thomas Ruddock and Susan Pearl Little/Lissle). Walter was born in California. Thomas was born in either England or Ireland, to parents from County Down, Northern Ireland, Andrew Reid Ruddock and Margaret McCracken. Susan was born in Saskatchewan, Canada, the daughter of Walter Little, who was English, from Somerset, and of Lydia Elizabeth Woodley, whose parents were also English.

Jenna’s maternal grandmother likely is Pauline L. West (the daughter of Herbert George West and Marjorie Leticia Hagin/Hobin). Pauline was born in Michigan. Herbert was born in Ontario, Canada, the son of Herbert West, whose father was English and whose mother was the daughter of English parents; and of Harriet Bennett Dalton, whose parents were English. Marjorie was born in either Wisconsin or Ontario, the daughter of James Alfred Hobin/Hoban, who was of Irish and Scottish descent, and of Celena Sturgeon/Turgeon, who was French-Canadian.

Sources: Obituary of Jenna’s father – http://legacy.com

Death record of Jenna’s paternal great-aunt (grandmother’s sister) – http://familysearch.org

Jenna’s maternal grandparents, Walter Ruddock and Pauline L. West, on the 1950 U.S. Census – http://familysearch.org

Photo by Joe Seer/Bigstock.com

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Birth Name: Dame Maureen Diane Lipman

Place of Birth: Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, England

Date of Birth: May 10, 1946

Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish

Ancestry/Genealogy: Maureen Lipman is an English actress, writer, and comedian.

Her parents were Maurice Julius Lipman and Zelma Pearlman.

Her paternal grandparents were Hyman Simon Lipman and Sarah Greenbaum, (the daughter of Philip Greenbaum and Annie Lazzerson).

Her maternal grandfather was Philip Pearlman, the son of Fanny and Zalman Soloman Pearlman.

Her maternal grandmother was Eva Slimmer, the daughter of Avigdor Slimmer and Ellen Harris.

Source: ancestry.com public records

http://www.filmreference.com/film/49/Maureen-Lipman.html

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actress Caylee Cowan at the Los Angeles premiere of ‘Bandit’ held at the Harmony Gold Theater in Hollywood, USA on September 21, 2022. Starfrenzy/Bigstock.com

Birth Name: Catherine Caylee Cowan

Place of Birth: Los Angeles, California, U.S.

Date of Birth: March 19, 1998

Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish, English, Austrian, German, Irish, possibly Spanish

Caylee Cowan is an American actress.

Caylee is often described as being of Spanish and German Jewish descent on her mother’s side. It’s not clear if this is accurate.

Caylee’s paternal grandfather was likely Vernon Richard Cowan (the son of James Fred Cowan and Irma Marie Thies/Thier). James was the son of Frank R. Cowan, whose paternal grandparents were Irish, and of Lena Gilbert, whose father and maternal grandparents were German. Irma was born in Austria.

Caylee’s paternal grandmother was likely Helen Dloogatch (the daughter of Bernard Dloogatch and Beatrice “Bessie” Cohen/Coen). Bernard and Bessie were born in Russia.

On her mother’s side, Caylee is likely descended from Abraham Woodburn and Eleanor Jane Dodd, who were English immigrants.

Source: Marriage record of Caylee’s parents – https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VVNP-H9Y

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Birth Name: Zeena Galatea Lavey

Place of Birth: San Francisco, California, United States

Date of Birth: November 19, 1963

Ethnicity:
*50% Ashkenazi Jewish
*25% Swedish
*12.5% Irish
*12.5% English

Zeena Schreck, also known as ZEENA, is an American singer, songwriter, musician, composer, photographer, visual and musical artist, and author. She founded the Sethian Liberation Movement (SLM) in 2002, and is its spiritual leader.

She is the daughter of Diane Hegarty and author and musician Anton LaVey (born Howard Stanton Levey, later Anton Szandor LaVey). Her parents were the founders of the Church of Satan, and of “LaVeyan Satanism.” Her father was a High Priest in the church, and wrote the Satanic Bible. Her mother was a self-described sorceress. Her father was from an Ashkenazi Jewish family, and her mother was from a Christian background, with Swedish and Irish/English ancestry. Zeena’s half-sister is radio host Karla LaVey, who was a high priestess in the Church of Satan. Zeena was also raised in the church, and was its first spokesperson. She later renounced the group, and practiced Tibetan Tantric Buddhism.

Zeena’s surname comes from her former husband, singer, songwriter, author, filmmaker, and Tantric Buddhist religious teacher Nikolas Schreck.

Zeena’s paternal grandfather was Michael Joseph Levey (the son of Meyer Morris Levey and Anna Sarah Miller). Michael’s parents were Russian Jewish immigrants. Anna was the daughter of Samuel Miller.

Zeena’s paternal grandmother was Gertrude Augusta Coulton (the daughter of Boris/Baris/Barris E. Koltonoff/Coulton and Luba/Libbie/Libby Josephine “Cecile” Primokov/Primakov). Gertrude was born in Ohio or Illinois, to Jewish emigrants, from the Russian Empire. Boris was born in Russia, the son of Jacob Koltonoff and Leah. Luba was born in Ukraine.

Zeena’s maternal grandfather was James Cornelius Hegarty (the son of James Hegarty and Mabel/Mable Annie Harrison). James was born in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, to an Irish father and an English mother.

Zeena’s maternal grandmother was Jean/Jennie Hall (the daughter of John V. Hall and Emma Anderson). Jean was born in Illinois, to Swedish parents.

Sources: Genealogy of Zeena Schreck (focusing on her father’s side) – https://www.geni.com

Genealogies of Zeena’s father – https://sv.findagrave.com
http://www.wargs.com

Zeena’s maternal grandfather, James Cornelius Hegarty, on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org

Zeena’s maternal grandmother, Jean/Jennie Hall, on the 1920 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org

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Birth Name: Joseph David Reitman

Place of Birth: Brookline, Massachusetts, U.S.

Date of Birth: May 25, 1968

Ethnicity:
*87.5% Ashkenazi Jewish
*12.5% Irish

Joseph D. Reitman is an American actor, producer, director, and writer.

His parents are/were Jewish. His father is also of one quarter Irish descent.

Joseph’s paternal grandfather was Joseph Reitman (the son of David Reitman and Bessie Schlager/Shlager). Joseph was born in Massachusetts, to parents from Russia. David was the son of Joseph Reitman and Jenny.

Joseph’s paternal grandmother was Ruth Lillian Cahill (the daughter of Thomas Joseph Cahill and Rose Lillian “Rosie” Birds/Brids). Ruth was born in Massachusetts. Thomas was born in Massachusetts, the son of Richard J. Cahill, who was from Ireland, and of Mary Shea/Shane, who was born in Canada, to Irish parents. Rose was born in Massachusetts, the daughter of Solomon “Sol” Brids and Mary Dattelbaum, who were from Russia and Galicia, Austria, respectively.

Joseph’s maternal grandfather was Samuel Sack (the son of Solomon Sack and Bessie Stone). Samuel was born in Massachusetts, to parents from Russia.

Joseph’s maternal grandmother was Bertha Lillian Gersin/Gernsinovitch (the daughter of Barnett Gernsinovitch and Annette Gordon). Bertha was born in Massachusetts, to parents from Lithuania/Russia.

Sources: Joseph’s paternal grandparents, Joseph Reitman and Ruth Lillian Cahill, on the 1940 U.S. Census – http://familysearch.org

Obituary of Joseph’s mother – http://legacy.com

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Birth Name: Joshua Benjamin Ruben

Place of Birth: Washington, D.C., U.S.

Date of Birth: June 30, 1983

Ethnicity:
*father – Ashkenazi Jewish
*mother – Italian, German, English, Scottish

Josh Ruben is an American actor, writer, and director.

His maternal half-sister is singer, songwriter, and pianist Rachael Yamagata.

Josh’s paternal grandfather was Irving Saul Ruben/Rubinstein (the son of Harry Rubinstein and Mary/May Weinbrown). Irving was born in New York, to parents from Poland, under Russian Empire.

Josh’s paternal grandmother was Cecile Sternberg (the daughter of Benjamin Sternberg and Bella Natalie Fischbach/Fischback). Cecile was born in New York. Benjamin was born in Austria, the son of Herman Sternberg and Hannah Freedman. Bella was born in New York, to parents from Austria, David Fischbach and Sarah Cohen.

Josh’s maternal grandfather was Daniel Charles Kleine (the son of Charles Wilhelm Kleine and Lillian Louise “Lulu” MacDaniel). Daniel was born in New York. Charles was born in New York, to German parents, Carl August Kleine and Johanna Wellman. Lillian was born in New York, the daughter of Nathaniel T. MacDaniel and Sarah Louisa Taylor.

Josh’s maternal grandmother was Marie C. Lieto (the daughter of Joseph Lieto and Anna Amato). Marie was born in New York, to Italian parents, who were from Minori, province of Salerno, Campania.

Sources: Obituary of Josh’s paternal grandfather, Irving Saul Ruben – http://findagrave.com

Obituary of Josh’s paternal grandmother, Cecile (Sternberg) Ruben – http://obits.nj.com

Obituary of Josh’s maternal aunt – http://legacy.com

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Birth Name: Dean Benson Pfefer

Place of Birth: Saint Paul, Minnesota, U.S. (usually cited as)

Date of Birth: January 20, 1969

Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish

Dean Phillips is an American politician and businessperson. A member of the Democratic Party, he has been a Member of the U.S. House of Represenatives from Minnesota, since January 3, 2019. He has started and owned companies, including co-owning Penny’s Coffee and, previously, Talenti gelato; and has served as president and CEO of the Phillips Distilling Company.

He is a candidate for the Democratic Party’s nomination for President of the United States in 2024.

Dean is the son of DeeDee and Arthur Thomas “Artie” Pfefer. His father was killed in the Vietnam War when Dean was six months. His stepfather, Edward Jay “Eddie” Phillips, was the son of Morton Bernard Phillips and advice columnist and radio show host Pauline Phillips (born Pauline Esther Friedman), known as “Dear Abby”/Abigail Van Buren; Pauline founded Dear Abby in 1956. Eddie was the heir to the Phillips Distilling Company, which Dean has run. Dean’s mother and stepfather married in 1971. His step-aunt, Jeanne Phillips, is also an advice columnist, who took over her mother Pauline’s column Dear Abby in 2000. His step-great-aunt was advice columnist Eppie Lederer/Ann Landers, known for her column “Ask Ann Landers.” Dean is married to Annalise Glick. He has two children with his former wife Karin Einisman.

Both Dean’s parents, and stepfather, were/are Jewish. He was raised mostly in Edina, MN.

Dean’s Phillips line can be traced to his step-great-great-grandfather, Moses Barel/David Phillips.

Dean’s paternal grandfather was named Victor Samuel Pfefer (the son of Max Pfefer and Annie). Victor was a Russian Jewish/Romanian Jewish immigrant.

Dean’s paternal grandmother was Ruth Alpern (the daughter of Israel Alpern/Halpern and Sarah Hinde Rabinowitz). Ruth was born in Minnesota, to Polish Jewish parents. Israel was the son of Herschel Alpern and Leah Lurje/Lurie.

Dean’s maternal grandfather was Donald Ellery Litin/Litinsky (the son of Abraham Harry Litinsky and Anna/Anne Weisberg). Donald was born in Minneapolis, Hennepin, Minnesota, to Russian Jewish/Polish Jewish parents. Abraham was the son of Benjamin Litinsky and Rose.

Dean’s maternal grandmother was Gayle E. Johnson (the daughter of Yale E. Johnson and Sara/Sarah R. Kapplin). Gayle was born in Minneapolis, Hennepin, Minnesota. Yale and Sara were born in Minnesota, both of them to Russian Jewish parents. Yale was the son of Sam Johnson and Jennie.

Two people of Jewish heritage have been nominated for President of the United States by a major party. Barry Goldwater, nominated by the Republican Party in 1964, was the first (Goldwater was born to a Jewish father and a non-Jewish mother, and was raised an Episcopalian). John Kerry, nominated by the Democratic Party in 2004, was the second (Kerry’s paternal grandparents were born Jewish, though Kerry’s father and Kerry himself were raised Catholic).

Joe Lieberman, who is Jewish, was nominated for Vice President of the United States by the Democratic Party in 2000.

Five people of Jewish heritage have won a major party’s Presidential caucus and/or primary:
*Barry Goldwater (1964, the year he was nominated; Republican; won 7 states; Goldwater also sought the 1960 Republican nomination)
*John Kerry (2004, the year he was nominated; Democratic; won 51 contests)
*Wesley Clark (who sought the 2004 Democratic nomination; won 1 state, Oklahoma; Clark was born to a Jewish father and a non-Jewish mother, and is a practicing Catholic)
*Bernie Sanders (who sought the Democratic nomination in 2016 and 2020; in 2016, he won 23 contests; in 2020, he won 9 contests)
*Michael Bloomberg (who sought the 2020 Democratic nomination; won 1 territory, American Samoa)

Of the five, Bernie Sanders and Michael Bloomberg are Jewish by religion, and Sanders is the first person of Jewish religion to have won a caucus and/or primary for a major American political party’s Presidential nomination (the 2016 New Hampshire primary).

Other people of significant Jewish heritage who have mounted or are mounting plausible or semi-plausible campaigns for a major party’s nomination for President of the United States are:
*Milton Shapp (who sought the 1976 Democratic nomination)
*Larry Agran (who sought the 1992 Democratic nomination)
*Arlen Specter (who sought the 1996 Republican nomination)
*Joe Lieberman (who sought the 2004 Democratic nomination)
*John H. Cox (who sought the 2008 Republican nomination)
*Fred Karger (who sought the 2012 Republican nomination)
*Marianne Williamson (who sought the 2020 Democratic nomination, and is seeking the 2024 Democratic nomination)
*Michael Bennet (who sought the 2020 Democratic nomination)
*Tom Steyer (who sought the 2020 Democratic nomination)

Shapp, Agran, Specter, Lieberman, Karger, and Williamson were/are all Jewish by religion. Bennet and Steyer were raised in mixed-faith households, Bennet with a Jewish mother and Steyer with a Jewish father. Shapp was the first person of Jewish religion to mount a prominent campaign for a major party’s nomination for President of the United States.

Kirsten Gillibrand, a Catholic with a Jewish great-grandfather, also sought the 2020 Democratic nomination.

Sources: Genealogy of Dean Phillips – https://www.geni.com

Dean’s paternal grandmother, Ruth Alpern, on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org

Dean’s maternal grandfather, Donald Ellery Litin/Litinsky, on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org

Dean’s maternal grandmother, Gayle E. Johnson, on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org

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