Birth Name: Lewis Allan Reed

Date of Birth: March 2, 1942

Place of Birth: Brooklyn, New York City, New York, United States

Date of Death: October 27, 2013

Place of Death: Southampton, New York, United States

Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish

Lou Reed was an American musician, singer, and songwriter. He was known as the guitarist and vocalist of the American rock band The Velvet Underground, as well as for his solo career. Lou was the son of Toby (Futterman) and Sidney Joseph Rabinowitz, and grew up in Freeport, New York.

Lou’s paternal grandparents were Mendel Rabinowitz (the son of Solomon Rabinowitz and Mollie Novack/Novick) and Fannie Weinberg (the daughter of Yierma Weinberg and Slova Beckman). Mendel and Fannie were both born in Russia.

Lou’s maternal grandparents were Louis Futterman and Rebecca. They were both born in the Russian Empire, in present day Poland.

Source: Genealogy of Lou Reed – http://www.geni.com

Photo by Prphotos.com

Birth Name: Francesca Ruth Eastwood

Place of Birth: Redding, California U.S.

Date of Birth: August 7, 1993

Ethnicity:
*English, with some German, Irish, Scottish, and distant Dutch (father)
*Ashkenazi Jewish, Norwegian (mother)

Francesca Eastwood is an American actress, model, and television personality. She is the daughter of actor/filmmaker Clint Eastwood (Clinton Eastwood) and actress Frances Fisher (Frances Louise Fisher). She is the half-sister of Scott Eastwood, who is also an actor.

Francesca’s father has English, with some German, Irish, Scottish, and distant Dutch, ancestry. Francesca’s mother was born in New Forest, Hampshire, England, to American parents, and spent some of her teenage years in Orange, Texas. Francesca’s maternal grandfather was Jewish (of Russian Jewish and Hungarian Jewish descent). Francesca’s maternal grandmother was of Norwegian ancestry.

Francesca’s “Eastwood” line seems to trace back to Richard Eastwood, who was born, c. 1620, in England. Richard moved to Virginia, United States.

Francesca’s paternal grandfather was Clinton Eastwood (the son of Burr Eastwood and Jesse Mabel Anderson). Burr was the son of Asa Bedesco Eastwood and Emily/Emma Maraya Young. Jesse was the daughter of Matthew Anderson, who was Scottish, and of Lois Sabra Gaskill.

Francesca’s paternal grandmother was Margaret Ruth Runner (the daughter of Waldo Erroll Runner and Virginia May McClanahan). Waldo was the son of Charles Claude Runner and Sophia Aurelia Bartholomew. Virginia was the daughter of James William McClanahan and Matilda Belle Boyle; Matilda’s parents were John Pearis Boyle and Eliza D. Patterson.

Francesca’s maternal grandfather was William Irving Fisher, Sr. (the son of Louis Fisher and Fannie Miller). Louis was a Russian Jewish immigrant, the son of David Fisher and Anna. Fannie was a Hungarian Jewish immigrant. Fannie’s father was Rabbi Moshe Miller.

Francesca’s maternal grandmother was Olga Rosine Moen (the daughter of Marcus M. Moen and Rosine Caroline Preus). Marcus was Norwegian, the son of John Mortenson Moen and Pauline Olsdatter Hagerud. Rosine was born in Wisconsin, to Norwegian parents, Hans Nicolai Preus and Ludoviska Christophora Suckow.

Sources: Genealogies of Francesca Fisher – http://gw.geneanet.org
http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com

Genealogies of Francesca’s father – http://worldconnect.rootsweb.ancestry.com
http://worldconnect.rootsweb.ancestry.com

Family history of Francesca’s father (focusing on his own mother’s side) – http://www.americanancestors.org

Genealogy of Francesca’s maternal grandparents, William Irving Fisher and Olga Rosine Moen – http://www.geni.com

Francesca’s maternal grandmother, Olga Rosine Moen, on the 1920 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

Photo by Prphotos.com

Birth Name: Travis Cordell Kalanick

Place of Birth: Los Angeles, California, United States

Date of Birth: August 6, 1976

Ethnicity:
*50% Czech
*37.5% Ashkenazi Jewish
*6.25% German
*6.25% Irish

Travis Kalanick is an American entrepreneur. He is the co-founder of the peer-to-peer file sharing company Red Swoosh and the transportation network company Uber.

His father, Donald Edward Kalanick, is of Czech descent. His mother, Bonnie Renee (Bloom), is of three quarters Ashkenazi Jewish background (her own maternal grandfather was of German and Irish descent).

Travis’ paternal grandparents were Michael Andrew “Mike” Kalanick (the son of Jan Kulhánek, later John Kalanick, and Anna Polanská) and Mary Zeyock (the daughter of Jiří “George” Zeyock and Anna “Annie” Androsová). All of Travis’ paternal great-grandparents were Czech immigrants.

Travis’ maternal grandfather was Morris Bloom (also known as Maurice Buddy Bloom, the son of Frank Bloom and Rose Winegart). Frank was a Polish Jewish immigrant, and was the son of Morris Bloom. Rose was a Russian Jewish immigrant.

Travis’ maternal grandmother was Shirley Anita Ehni (the daughter of Charles Joseph Ehni and Tillie Kohn). Charles was the son of Charles William Ehni, whose parents were German, and of Anna Haver, whose parents were Irish. Travis’ maternal grandmother Tillie was the daughter of Samuel “Sam” Kohn, a German Jewish immigrant, and Esther Eppstein, a Polish Jewish immigrant.

Sources: Travis’ birth record – https://familysearch.org

Marriage record of Travis’ parents – https://familysearch.org

Birth record of Travis’ father – https://familysearch.org

Marriage record of Travis’ paternal grandparents, Michael Andrew “Mike” Kalanick and Mary Zeyack – https://familysearch.org

Birth record of Travis’ mother – https://familysearch.org

Marriage record of Travis’ maternal grandparents, Maurice Buddy Bloom and Shirley Anita Ehni – https://familysearch.org

Birth record of Travis’ maternal grandfather, Morris Bloom – https://familysearch.org

Death record of Travis’ maternal great-grandfather, Frank Bloom – https://familysearch.org

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Birth Name: Michael Alan Weiner

Place of Birth: The Bronx, New York City, NY

Date of Birth: March 31, 1942

Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish

Michael Savage is an American talk show host, author, activist, nutritionist, and conservative political commentator. He is the son of Rae (Wolf) and Benjamin Weiner. His father was a Russian Jewish immigrant. His mother was born in Canada, and was also Jewish.

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Birth Name: Jillian L. McKarus

Place of Birth: Los Angeles, California

Date of Birth: February 18, 1974

Ethnicity:
*Syrian/Lebanese (father)
*Italian (maternal grandfather)
*Ashkenazi Jewish (maternal grandmother)

Jillian Michaels is an American personal trainer, businessperson, author, and television personality.

Jillian’s paternal grandparents were Roger Essa McKarus (the son of Essa Makarus and Ruth Jamba) and Nellie Eva Courey (the daughter of Naijeeb Courey and Ratha Elizabeth Saba). Roger was Syrian. Nellie was born in Michigan, to Syrian parents. Some of Jillian’s father’s family also identified as Lebanese.

Jillian’s maternal grandparents were Joseph Saldi (the son of Michael Saldi and Raffaele Iacino) and Regina Maltson (the daughter of Casper Maltson and Minnie Landkron). Joseph was the son of Italian parents. Regina was born in Salford, Greater Manchester, England, to a Russian Jewish father and an Austrian Jewish mother.

Source: Genealogy of Jillian Michaels – http://www.geni.com

Birth Name: Kira Nicole Kosarin

Place of Birth: Boca Raton, Florida

Date of Birth: October 7, 1997

Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish

Kira Kosarin is an American actress and singer. She stars as Phoebe Thunderman in the Nickelodeon series The Thundermans. On Instagram, she posted a childhood picture of herself with a menorah, and mentioned that she went to a Jewish day school.

Kira’s paternal grandfather is Paul Kosarin (the son of Irving Kosarin and Ann Boriskin).

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Birth Name: Melinda Heather Cohn

Place of Birth: Los Angeles, California

Date of Birth: May 20, 1966

Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish

Mindy Cohn is an American actress and comedian. She is known for her role as Natalie Green on the series The Facts of Life, and for being the voice of Velma Dinkley in the Scooby-Doo franchise since 2002. Her parents are Ina S. (Stern) and Nathaniel “Nat” Marshall Cohn.

On her father’s side, Mindy is the granddaughter of Isadore/Isidor Cohn (the son of Hymen Cohn and F. Ehrlich) and Sarah Brager (the daughter of Isadore Brager and Ida Orlinsky). Sarah was born in California, to parents from Russia.

Sources: http://fly.hiwaay.net

Mindy’s birth record – https://familysearch.org

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

Birth record of Mindy’s father – https://familysearch.org

Photo by Prphotos.com

Birth name: Chelsea Vanessa Peretti

Place of Birth: Oakland, California, United States

Date of birth: February 20, 1978

Ethnicity:
*Italian, English (father)
*Ashkenazi Jewish (mother)

Chelsea Peretti is an American stand-up comedian, actress, and writer. She is known for portraying Gina Linetti on the Fox comedy series Brooklyn Nine-Nine. Chelsea was born and raised in Oakland, California. Her brother, Jonah Peretti, is an internet entrepreneur, who founded Buzzfeed and co-founded The Huffington Post.

Chelsea’s father is of Italian and English descent. Chelsea’s mother is Jewish (of Russian Jewish descent).

Chelsea has said:

Our mother’s Jewish and our dad is Italian, so I think from the start, we had sort of a upbringing where we celebrated both Hanukkah and Christmas. This duality was constantly present.

Chelsea’s paternal grandparents were Gino/Gene Joseph Peretti and Barbara Claire King (the daughter of Russell King and Claire Dodge).

Chelsea’s maternal grandparents were Arthur Cherkin (the son of Carl Cherkin and Frances Kanter) and Adina Mantchik (the daughter of Herz Mantchik and Gena Kooriansky). Arthur was born in Pennsylvania, to Russian Jewish parents.

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Place of Birth: Bloomington, Indiana, United States

Date of Birth: October 10, 1954

Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish

Family Background: David Lee Roth is an American singer, songwriter, actor, author, and former radio personality. He is the lead singer of the rock band Van Halen.

David is the son of Sibyl (Lazar) and Nathan Roth, a renowned eye surgeon and actor. They were both from Jewish families, that had immigrated from Russia and Ukraine.

Source: Genealogy of David Lee Roth – http://www.geni.com/people/David-Roth/6000000025818672561

Divorce record of David’s parents – https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VPRS-2ZJ

http://m.imdb.com/name/nm0744822/trivia

Photo by Prphotos.com

Birth Name: Mark Feld

Place of Birth: Stoke Newington, London, England

Date of Birth: September 30, 1947

Place of Death: Barnes, London, England

Date of Death: September 16, 1977

Ethnicity:
*Ashkenazi Jewish (father)
*English (mother)

Family Background: Marc Bolan was an English singer, songwriter, musician, and poet. He was the lead singer of the rock band T. Rex.

Marc is the son of Phyllis Winifred (Atkins) and Simeon “Sid” Feld, a lorry driver. Phyllis was likely of English descent. Simeon had Jewish ancestry, from Poland and Russia.

A picture of Marc’s parents can be seen here.

Thinking of Marc's Mum, Phyllis Winifred Feld (nee Atkins), who passed away on 11th January 1991. R.I.P. pic.twitter.com/7LnLloYmPx

— Official Marc Bolan (@MarcBolan1977) January 11, 2016

Source: Genealogy of Marc Bolan – http://www.geni.com/people/Marc-Bolan/6000000017208688121

Marriage registrations of Marc’s parents –
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QV8B-YPPM
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QV8B-5ZJR

http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/solid-gold-easy-action-1245987.html

Photo by Prphotos.com

North West, Kris Jenner, and Penelope Disick – photo by Prphotos

Birth name: Penelope Scotland Disick

Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish, Armenian, German, English, as well as Scottish, Irish, and Dutch

Penelope Disick is the daughter or reality TV stars Kourtney Kardashian and Scott Disick.

Penelope’s aunts and uncles are Kim Kardashian, Khloé Kardashian, Rob Kardashian, Kendall Jenner, and Kylie Jenner, all of whom are television personalities. Her cousin is North West, who is Kim’s daughter.

Penelope’s paternal grandparents were Jeffrey Disick (the son of David Disick and Shirley Krasnoff) and Bonnie (the daughter of Regina). David was born in New York, to Russian Jewish parents. Shirley was also of Russian Jewish descent.

On her mother’s side, Penelope is the granddaughter of Robert Kardashian, a lawyer (the son of Arthur Kardashian and Helen Jean Arakelian), and Kris Jenner, a socialite (born Kristen Mary Houghton, the daughter of Robert True Houghton and Mary Gorden Campbell). Robert was of Armenian descent. Kris has English, Scottish, Irish, German, Dutch ancestry.

Sources: Genealogy of Penelope’s mother – http://worldconnect.rootsweb.ancestry.com

Obituary of Penelope’s maternal great-grandfather, Arthur Kardashian – http://www.findagrave.com

Obituary of Penelope’s maternal great-grandmother, Helen (Arakelian) Kardashian – http://www.findagrave.com

Penelope’s maternal great-great-great-grandmother, Lou Ethel Wyatt, on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

Genealogy of Penelope’s maternal great-great-great-great-grandmother, Mary Tiny VanZandt – http://worldconnect.rootsweb.ancestry.com

Birth Name: Frederick Jay Rubin

Place of Birth: Long Beach, New York, United States

Date of Birth: March 10, 1963

Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish

Rick Rubin is an American record producer. He is the former co-president of Columbia Records. Along with Russell Simmons, Rick is the co-founder of Def Jam Records, and also established American Recordings. His father, Mickey Martin Rubin, was a shoe wholesaler. His mother, Linda, is a housewife.

Rick’s paternal grandparents were Jack Rubin (the son of Solomon “Samuel/Sam” Rubin and Marie “Mary” Anenberg) and Birdie Reiss (the daughter of Jacob Reiss and Rosie Pasternak). Solomon was born in Russia, to Max Rubin and Nichama Cohen. Marie was also born in Russia, to Morris Anenberg and Zena Cohen. Rick’s great-grandfather Jacob was born in Austria, to Joseph Reiss and Sarah Hirsch. Rosie was also an Austrian Jewish immigrant.

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

Obituary of Rick’s father – http://www.legacy.com

Birth record of Rick’s paternal grandfather, Jack Rubin – https://familysearch.org

Death record of Rick’s paternal great-grandfather, Samuel Rubin – https://familysearch.org

Death record of Rick’s paternal great-grandmother, Mary (Anenberg) Rubin – https://familysearch.org

Birth record of Rick’s paternal grandmother, Birdie Reiss – https://familysearch.org

Photo by kathclick/Bigstock.com

Birth Name: Timur Ildarovich Yunusov

Place of Birth: Moscow, Russian SFSR (present-day Russia)

Date of Birth: August 15, 1983

Ethnicity:
*Tatar (father)
*Ashkenazi Jewish (mother)

Timati is a Russian artist, singer, songwriter, record producer, actor, and entrepreneur. His father, Ildar Yunusov, is Tatar. His mother, Simona Yakovna (Chervomorskaya) Yunusova, is Jewish.

Timati’s maternal grandfather is Yakov Chervomorsk.

Photo by magicinfoto/Bigstock.com

Birth Name: Jordan Philip Bridges

Place of Birth: Los Angeles, California

Date of Birth: November 13, 1973

Ethnicity:
*English, some Irish and Swiss-German (father)
*Ashkenazi Jewish, Austrian (mother)

Jordan Bridges is an American actor. He is the son of Julie Landfield and actor Beau Bridges (Lloyd Vernet Bridges III). He is a grandson of actors Dorothy Bridges and Lloyd Bridges, and a nephew of actor Jeff Bridges.

Jordan’s father has English, and some Irish and Swiss-German, descent. Jordan’s maternal grandfather was Jewish (of Russian Jewish descent), and Jordan’s maternal grandmother was of Austrian (Catholic) background. Jordan played a Jewish character in the 2011 movie Holiday Engagement.

Jordan’s paternal grandparents were Lloyd Bridges (Lloyd Vernet Bridges, Jr., the son of Lloyd Vernet Bridges and Harriet Evelyn Brown) and Dorothy Bridges (born Dorothy Dean Simpson, the daughter of Frederick Walter Simpson and Louise Myles). Frederick was born in Liverpool, England.

Jordan’s maternal grandparents were Marvin M. Landfield (the son of Phillip Landfield and Rose Plane) and Magdalene Anne Polries (the son of John Polries and Anna Sperger). Phillip was born in Canada, to Russian Jewish parents. Rose was a Russian Jewish immigrant. Jordan’s grandmother Magdalene was born in North Dakota, to Austrian (Catholic) parents.

Sources: Genealogies of Jordan Bridges (focusing on his father’s side) – http://gw.geneanet.org
http://worldconnect.rootsweb.ancestry.com

Article about Jordan’s maternal grandparents, Marvin M. Landfield and Magdalene Anne Polries – http://articles.latimes.com

Jordan’s maternal grandfather, Marvin M. Landfield, on the 1920 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

Jordan’s maternal grandmother, Magdalene Anne Polries, on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

Photo URL (by Prphotos.com):http://www.prphotos.com/p/IHA-008171/jordan-bridges-at-theatre-west-s-50th-anniversary-gala–arrivals.html?&ps=4&x-start=0

Birth Name: Benjamin Louis Cardin

Place of Birth: Baltimore, Maryland

Date of Birth: October 5, 1943

Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish

Ben Cardin is an American politician. A Democrat, he has served as a U.S. Senator from Maryland, since January 3, 2007. He was previously a Member of the U.S. House of Representatives (from 1987 to 2007), and a Speaker of the Maryland House of Delegates (from 1979 to 1987).

Ben is the son of Dora (Green) and Meyer Melvin Cardin (originally Kardonsky). His parents were both born in Maryland, both of them to parents who were born in Russia. Ben is a member of a Modern Orthodox congregation.

Ben’s paternal grandparents were Harris Kardonsky/Cardin and Anna.

Ben’s maternal grandparents were Benjamin Green and Rachael/Rae.

Sources: Genealogies of Ben Cardin (focusing on his father’s side) – http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com
http://www.geni.com

Obituary of Ben’s father – http://www.findagrave.com

Birth Name: David Hyman Pomeranz

Place of Birth: New York City, New York, United States

Date of Birth: February 9, 1951

Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish

David Pomeranz is an American singer-songwriter. He is the son of Bonnie G. (Bernstein) and Michael Allen Pomeranz. He is married to Kelly L. Yaegermann. He was previously married to Althea P. Lawton.

David’s paternal grandparents were Max Pomeranz (the son of Henry Pomeranz and Anna Kivowitz) and Adele Chernin (the daughter of Samuel Moiseevich Cherninsky, later Samuel Chernin, and of Rose Baumann). Henry was born in Kraków, Poland, to Jacob Pomeranz and Sarah Sobel. Anna was also born in Kraków, to Samuel Kivowitz and Sarah Levy. David’s great-grandfather Samuel was born in Russia, to Moshe “Morris” Cherninsky and Ida. Adele was also an immigrant from Russia.

David’s maternal grandparents were Jacob Bernstein and Sadie.

Sources: David’s marriage record to Althea P. Lawton – https://familysearch.org

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

Marriage record of David’s paternal grandparents, Max Pomeranz and Adele Chermin – https://familysearch.org

Genealogy of David’s paternal grandfather, Max Pomeranz – http://www.ancestry.com

Death record of David’s paternal great-grandfather, Henry Pomeranz – https://familysearch.org

Death record of David’s paternal great-grandmother, Anna (Kivowitz) Pomeranz – https://familysearch.org

Death record of David’s paternal great-grandfather, Samuel Chernin – https://familysearch.org

Obituary of David’s maternal uncle, Joseph Bernstein – http://www.siprep.org

Place of Birth: Oxford, Oxfordshire, England, United Kingdom

Date of Birth: 18 May, 1941

Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish

Miriam Margolyes is an English-Australian character actress and voice artist. She became an Australian citizen in 2013. Miriam is the daughter of Ruth (Sandeman/Walters) and Joseph Margolyes. Her father was born in Glasgow, Scotland, and her mother was born in England. Her parents were both Jewish.

Miriam’s paternal grandparents were Philip Margolyes (the son of Simon Margolyes and Golda Goldstone) and Rebecca Turiansky (the daughter of Bernard Turiansky and Sarah Gelbord). Philip was born in Belarus. Rebecca was born in Russia.

Miriam’s maternal grandparents were Sigismund/Sidney Sandeman/Walters (the son of Simon/Samuel/Simcha Sandeman and Hannah) and Flora Posner (the daughter of Jacob Posner and Bertha Snapper). Flora was born in England, to parents from Germany, with her mother being from Prussia.

Source: http://www.theguardian.com

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Birth Name: Peter Elliott Shumlin

Place of Birth: Brattleboro, Vermont

Date of Birth: March 24, 1956

Ethnicity:
*Ashkenazi Jewish (father)
*Dutch (mother)

Peter Shumlin is an American politician. A Democrat, he has served as Governor of Vermont, since January 6, 2011.

Peter is the son of Kitty Adriana (Prins) and George Joseph Shumlin. His father was Jewish (of Russian Jewish descent). His mother was born in The Hague, Netherlands, from a Protestant background.

Peter’s paternal grandparents were Elliott Michael Shumlin and Betty Saletan. Elliott was born in Colorado, to Russian Jewish parents. Betty was born in New York, to Russian Jewish parents.

Peter’s maternal grandparents were Albert Prins and Cornelia.

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

Birth Name: Lawrence Alan Agran

Place of Birth: Chicago, Illinois

Date of Birth: February 2, 1945

Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish

Larry Agran is an American politician. A Democrat, he served as Mayor of Irvine, California (from 1982 to 1984, 1986 to 1990, and 2000 to 2004). Larry was a candidate for the Democratic Party’s nomination for President of the United States in 1992.

Larry is the son of Selma Elizabeth (Meyerson) and Reuben Agranowsky/Agran. Reuben was born in Chicago, to Russian Jewish parents.

Larry’s paternal grandparents were Meyer “Max” Agranowsky and Sophie Benzianov/Bensinova/Bianoff.

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). Goldwater also sought the 1960 Republican nomination.

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

Four 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)
*John Kerry (2004, the year he was nominated; Democratic; won 46 states)
*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 is seeking the 2016 Democratic nomination; has thus far won 5 states)

Of the four, only Bernie Sanders is Jewish by religion, and he is the first person of Jewish religion to win a caucus and/or primary for a major American political party’s Presidential nomination (the 2016 New Hampshire primary).

Other people of Jewish heritage who have mounted major campaigns for President of the United States are:
*Milton Shapp (who sought the 1976 Democratic nomination)
*Arlen Specter (who sought the 1996 Republican nomination)
*Joe Lieberman (who sought the 2004 Democratic nomination)

Shapp, Specter, and Lieberman were/are all Jewish by religion. Shapp was the first person of Jewish religion to mount a major campaign for President of the United States.

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

Date of Birth: February 12, 1930

Place of Birth: Wichita, Kansas

Date of Death: October 14, 2012

Place of Death: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish

Arlen Specter was an American lawyer and politician. He served as a U.S. Senator from Pennsylvania, from January 3, 1981 to January 3, 2011. He was a Democrat (from 1951 to 1965), a Republican (from 1965 to 2009), and then a Democrat again. Arlen was a candidate for the Republican Party’s nomination for President of the United States in 1996.

Arlen was the son of Lillie (Shanin) and Harry Aaron Specter. His parents were Jewish immigrants. His father was born in Bachkuryne, Cherkasy Oblast, Ukraine. His mother was also born in the Russian Empire.

Arlen’s paternal grandfather was Avram Specter.

Arlen’s maternal grandparents were Mordecai “Max” Shanin (the son of Yehuda Leb Shanin and Anna Ugel) and Freda Mermowitz (the daughter of Jacob Mermowitz). Mordecai was from Mogilev, Belarus. Yehuda was the son of Ansel Asher Shanin and Rhoda. Freda was born in Ukraine.

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). Goldwater also sought the 1960 Republican nomination.

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

Four 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)
*John Kerry (2004, the year he was nominated; Democratic; won 46 states)
*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 is seeking the 2016 Democratic nomination; has thus far won 5 states)

Of the four, only Bernie Sanders is Jewish by religion, and he is the first person of Jewish religion to win a caucus and/or primary for a major American political party’s Presidential nomination (the 2016 New Hampshire primary).

Other people of Jewish heritage who have mounted major campaigns for President of the United States are:
*Milton Shapp (who sought the 1976 Democratic nomination)
*Larry Agran (who sought the 1992 Democratic nomination)
*Joe Lieberman (who sought the 2004 Democratic nomination)

Shapp, Agran, and Lieberman were/are all Jewish by religion. Shapp was the first person of Jewish religion to mount a major campaign for President of the United States.

Sources: Genealogy of Arlen Specter – http://www.geni.com

Arlen Specter on the 1940 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org