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Milton Shapp

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Birth Name: Milton Jerrold Shapiro

Date of Birth: June 25, 1912

Place of Birth: Cleveland, Ohio

Date of Death: November 24, 1994

Place of Death: Merion, Pennsylvania

Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish

Milton Shapp was an American politician. A Democrat, he served as Governor of Pennsylvania, from January 19, 1971 to January 16, 1979. Milton was a candidate for the Democratic Party’s nomination for President of the United States in 1976.

Milton was the son of Eva R. (Smelsky/Smelsey) and Aaron L. Shapiro. His father was born in New York, to Russian Jewish parents. His mother was born in New Jersey, also to Russian Jewish parents.

Milton’s paternal grandparents were Isaac Shapiro and Mary Mendelsohn.

Milton’s maternal grandfather was Manuel Smelsky.

Milton is the first person of Jewish religion to mount a major campaign for President of the United States.

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:
*Larry Agran (who sought the 1992 Democratic nomination)
*Arlen Specter (who sought the 1996 Republican nomination)
*Joe Lieberman (who sought the 2004 Democratic nomination)

Agran, Specter, and Lieberman were/are all Jewish by religion.

Source: Milton Shapp on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org


Pete Sampras

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2010 Tennis - 1st Annual Caesars Tennis Classic at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City - April 10, 2010

Birth Name: Petros Sampras

Place of Birth: Potomac, Maryland, U.S

Date of Birth: August 12, 1971

Ethnicity:
*75% Greek
*25% Ashkenazi Jewish

Pete Sampras is an American retired tennis player. He is regarded as one of the greatest players in tennis history. He holds the ATP record of six year-end No. 1 rankings, which were in consecutive years from 1993 through 1998.

Pete is the son of Georgia (Vroustouris) and Soterios “Sammy” Sampras. His mother emigrated from Salasia, near Sparta, Greece. His father was born in the United States, to a Greek father and an Ashkenazi Jewish mother. Pete was raised attending Greek Orthodox services.

Pete is married to actress, model, and singer Bridgette Wilson.

Pete has said:

My mum came to America from Greece when she was 25, without a penny and barely able to speak the language. My dad, who is Jewish but has a Greek father, held down two jobs while I was growing up. So you could say they taught me a lot about hard work and humility.

Pete’s paternal grandparents were Gust Costas Sampra/Sampros and Sarah A. Steinberg (the daughter of Samuel Steinberg and Minnie Lazar). Pete’s grandfather Gust was Greek. Pete’s grandmother Sarah was born in Illinois, to Russian Jewish parents. Samuel was the son of Solomon Steinberg and Ann Sarah. Minnie was the daughter of Isaac Lazar.

Pete’s maternal grandfather was Nick Vroustouris.

Sources: Genealogy of Pete Sampras – http://www.geni.com

Pete’s paternal grandmother, Sarah A. Steinberg, on the 1910 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org
Sarah A. Steinberg on the 1920 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

Photo by Prphotos.com

Eric Garcetti

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photo by Mayor of Los Angeles

Birth Name: Eric Michael Garcetti

Place of Birth: Los Angeles, California

Date of Birth: February 4, 1971

Ethnicity:
*Mexican, 1/4 Italian, 1/8 Irish (father)
*Ashkenazi Jewish (mother)

Eric Garcetti is an American politician. He has served as Mayor of Los Angeles, since July 1, 2013.

Eric is the son of Rachel Susan “Sukey” (Roth) and Gil Garcetti (Gilbert Salvadore Iberri Garcetti), who was District Attorney of Los Angeles County (from 1992 to 2000).

Eric’s father is from a Mexican immigrant family, whose ancestry also includes one quarter Italian and one eighth Irish. Eric’s mother is Jewish (of Polish Jewish and Russian Jewish descent). Eric was raised in the Jewish religion.

Eric’s paternal grandparents were Salvador Delgado Garcetti (the son of Massimo/Max Garcetti and Guadalupe “Lupe” Delgado Garcia) and Juanita Baine Iberri (the daughter of Jose Monteverde/Monteverdi Yberri and Juanita/Juana Dominguez Bain). Eric’s grandfather Salvador was born in Mexico, to an Italian father and a Mexican mother. Eric’s grandmother Juanita was born in Arizona. Eric’s great-grandfather Jose was Mexican. Eric’s great-grandmother Juanita was the daughter of Christopher Thomas Baine, an Irish immigrant, and of Jesus Esquer Dominguez, who was Mexican.

Eric’s maternal grandparents were Harry Hyman Roth (the son of Louis Roth and Fannie Rothblalt/Shane) and Julia Judith Lifshitz (the daughter of Louis Morris Lifshitz/Lifshetz and Elizabeth/Liza Peslin). Harry was born in California, to a Polish Jewish father, born in Zakroczym, Masovian Voivodeship, Poland, and a Russian Jewish mother. Julia was born in New York, to Russian Jewish parents.

Sources: Genealogy of Eric Garcetti – http://www.geni.com

Eric’s paternal grandmother, Juanita Baine Iberri, on the 1920 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org
Juanita Baine Iberri on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

Eric’s maternal grandfather, Harry Hyman Roth, on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

Eric’s maternal grandmother, Julia Judith Lifshitz, on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

Lisa Edelstein

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Cirque Du Soleil's "Kurios - Cabinet of Curiosities" Opening Night - Arrivals

Place of Birth: Boston, Massachusetts

Date of Birth: May 21, 1966

Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish

Lisa Edelstein is an American actress and playwright. She is known for playing Dr. Lisa Cuddy on the Fox medical drama series House. Lisa is the daughter of Bonnie and Alvin Edelstein. She is married to artist Robert Russell (who is also Jewish).

Lisa’s paternal grandparents were Samuel Edelstein and Ida/Chaya Gitl Stelling (the daughter of Samuel Stelling and Chava Leah Zwiebach). Samuel Edelstein was a Russian Jewish immigrant. Ida was a Polish Jewish immigrant.

Lisa’s maternal grandparents are Louis S. Wiederkehr (the son of Morris Wiederkehr and Celia Fodfield) and Gertrude F. Scher (the daughter of Charles Schher and Pearl Kohave). Louis and Gertrude were Polish Jewish immigrants.

Sources: http://jwa.org
http://www.ajlmagazine.com

Genealogy of Lisa Edelstein – http://www.geni.com

Photo by Prphotos.com

Beck

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13th Annual Elton John Aids Foundation In Style Oscar Party

Birth Name: Bek Campbell

Place of Birth: Los Angeles, California, United States

Date of Birth: July 8, 1970

Ethnicity:
*English, Scottish (father)
*English, Norwegian, Swedish, Ashkenazi Jewish (mother)

Beck is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and producer. He is the son of Bibbe Hansen, a performance artist, musician, and actress, and David Richard Campbell, an arranger, composer, and conductor, who was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Beck’s paternal grandparents were D. Warren Campbell and Norean Reid (the daughter of Stanley Richard Reid and Elsie Elenor Newman). D. Warren was from Winnipeg, and was of at least partly Scottish descent.

Beck’s maternal grandparents were Alfred Earl “Al” Hansen (born Alfred Duckworth, the son of Franklin T. Duckworth and Katherine C.) and Audrey Ostlin (the daughter of Olaf Gabriel Ostlin/Ingeniar and Sadie Rosenberg). Alfred, an artist, took on the surname of his stepfather, Nicholis Hansen; he was of at least partly Norwegian descent, which Beck’s mother, Bibbe, has stated. Beck’s great-grandfather Olaf was Swedish, born in Stockholm, Sweden. Beck’s matrilineal great-grandmother Sadie was Jewish, born in Brooklyn, New York, to a father from Poland, Abraham Rosenberg/Czarka, and a mother from Russia, Fannie Melutnik.

Beck has said that he was raised celebrating Jewish holidays and considers himself Jewish. He is also a Scientologist.

Sources: Genealogy of Beck – http://www.geni.com

Information about Beck’s paternal grandfather, D. Warren Campbell – http://davidmusic.com
http://www.thestar.com

Bek’s maternal grandfather, then Alfred Duckworth, on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

Obituary of Bek’s maternal grandfather, Alfred Earl “Al” Hansen – http://www.nytimes.com

Photo by Prphotos.com

Vanessa Trump

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Gabrielle's Angel Foundation for Cancer Research Celebrates Second Decade with "Gabrielle's Gala" - Arrivals

Birth Name: Vanessa Kay Haydon

Place of Birth: New York City, New York

Date of Birth: December 18, 1977

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

Vanessa Trump is an American model.

Vanessa is the daughter of Bonnie (Ewans), who ran the Kay Models agency, and Charles Haydon (born Charles Hochberg), a lawyer. Vanessa’s father was Jewish (of Austrian Jewish and Russian Jewish descent). Vanessa’s mother has Danish ancestry.

Vanessa is married to businessperson Donald Trump, Jr., who is the son of Ivana Trump (born Ivana Marie Zelníčková), a model, and Donald Trump, a businessman and television personality. The two were married by Donald, Jr.’s aunt (his father’s sister), Maryanne Trump Barry, a prominent judge.

Vanessa’s paternal grandparents were Nathan Hochberg (the son of Abraham Hochberg and Fanny Roth) and Jennie Weisberg (the daughter of Charlie Weisberg and Hannah/Amy Chamowitz). Nathan was an Austrian Jewish immigrant. Jennie was a Russian Jewish immigrant.

Vanessa’s maternal grandparents were Kai Ewans (born Kai Peter Anthon Nielsen) and Kylsan. Kai was a Danish jazz reedist.

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

Marriage record of Vanessa’s paternal grandparents, Nathan Hochberg and Jennie Weisberg – https://familysearch.org

Genealogy of Vanessa Trump (focusing on her mother’s side) – http://www.geni.com

Photo by Prphotos

Suzanne Pleshette

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Date of Birth: January 31, 1937

Place of Birth: Brooklyn Heights, New York City, New York

Date of Death: January 19, 2008

Place of Death: Los Angeles, California

Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish

Suzanne Pleshette was an American actress and voice actress. After beginning her career in theatre, she made the transition to films in the early 1960s, such as Rome Adventure and The Birds.

Suzanne was the daughter of Eugene Pleshette, a TV network executive, and Geraldine Kaplan, a dancer who performed under the name Geraldine Rivers.

Suzanne’s paternal grandparents were Max Pleshek/Pleshet and Gertrude Skwarek/Sklarew (the daughter of Morris Skwarek and Annie Spegelglass). Max and Gertrude were Russian Jewish immigrants.

Suzanne’s maternal grandparents were Benjamin Kaplan and Gussie Goldstein. Benjamin was a Jewish immigrant from the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Gussie was a Russian Jew.

Sources: Genealogy of Suzanne Pleshette – http://www.wargs.com

Obituary of Suzanne Pleshette – http://www.findagrave.com

Genealogies of Suzanne Pleshette (focusing on her father’s side) – http://www.geni.com
http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com

Obituary of Suzanne’s father, Eugene Pleshette – http://www.findagrave.com

Suzanne’s paternal grandmother, Gertrude Skwarek/Sklarew, on the 1915 New York State Census – https://familysearch.org

Suzanne’s mother, Geraldine Kaplan, on the 1940 U.S Census – https://familysearch.org

Ad-Rock

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7th Annual Tribeca Film Festival - "Gunnin' for That # 1 Spot" - Arrivals

Birth Name: Adam Keefe Horovitz

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

Date of Birth: October 31, 1966

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

Ad-Rock, also known by his birth name, Adam Horovitz, is an American musician, guitarist, rapper, producer, and actor. He is a member of the hip hop group Beastie Boys, in which he plays the guitar. Ad-Rock is the son of Doris (Keefe) and Israel Horovitz, a playwright, director, and actor. His sister is producer Rachael Horovitz.

His father is Jewish. His mother is of Irish Catholic background.

Ad-Rock’s paternal grandparents were Julius Charles Horovitz (the son of Israel Horovitz and Bessie S. Binsky) and Hazel Rose Solberg (the daughter of Natan/Nathan/Nattan Solberg and Mabel/Mabele Becker). According to the census records, Israel and Bessie were both born in Russia. Israel’s profile on geni.com says that he was born in Romania. On the 1920 census, Natan and Mabel are both listed as being born in Poland. On the 1930 census, Natan is listed as being born in Russia, while Mabel is listed as born in Latvia, to German-born parents.

Sources: http://www.jewishjournal.com

Genealogy of Ad-Rock (focusing on his father’s side) – https://www.geni.com

Ad-Rock’s paternal grandfather, Julius Charles Horovitz, on the 1910 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org
Julius Charles Horovitz on the 1920 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org
Julius Charles Horovitz on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

Ad-Rock’s paternal grandmother, Hazel Rose Solberg, on the 1920 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org
Hazel Rose Solberg on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

Photo by Prphotos.com


Aly Raisman

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"Late Show with David Letterman" - August 14, 2012

Birth Name: Alexandra Rose Raisman

Place of Birth: Needham, Massachusetts

Date of Birth: May 25, 1994

Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish

Aly Raisman is an American artistic gymnast. She is the daughter of Lynn (Faber) and Rick Raisman. She is Jewish (of Russian Jewish, Ukrainian Jewish, and Lithuanian Jewish descent).

On her father’s side, Aly is the granddaughter of Martin Raisman (the son of Hyman Raisman and Beatrice Wartow) and Nancy Annis (the daughter of Morris Annis and Lillian Knoff). Hyman was born in Russia. Beatrice was born in Massachusetts, to a father born in Russia and a mother born in Kiev, Ukraine.

On her mother’s side, Aly is the granddaughter of Richard Leon Faber (the son of Samuel Faber and Hesta R.) and Susan Magerer (the daughter of Meyer Magerer and Rose Burick).

Sources: http://nypost.com

Genealogy of Aly Raisman – https://www.geni.com

photo by Prphotos

Merrick Garland

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Birth Name: Merrick Brian Garland

Place of Birth: Chicago, Illinois

Date of Birth: November 13, 1952

Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish

Merrick Garland is an American federal judge. He has served as Chief Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, since February 12, 2013, and as Judge on that Court, since March 20, 1997.

Merrick is the son of Shirley (Horwitz) and Cyril Garland.

His parents were both Jewish (of Lithuanian Jewish, Polish Jewish, Belarusian Jewish, and Russian Jewish descent). Media statements that Merrick was “born to a Jewish mother and a Protestant father” are not correct.

Merrick is a second cousin of politician Terry Branstad, the Governor of Iowa. Merrick’s paternal grandfather, Max Harry Garland, and Terry’s maternal grandfather, Louis Edward Garland, were siblings. They had both moved from Lithuania to Iowa.

Merrick’s paternal grandparents were Max Harry/L. Garland (the son of Nachman Garland and Rose Friedman) and Rose B. Kaplan. Max was born in Karklon, Lithuania. Merrick’s grandmother Rose was born in Poland.

Merrick’s maternal grandparents were Abraham Meyer Horwitz (the son of Binyamin Horwitz and Rivkah Esther Sverdlov) and Bessie Loretta Fish (the daughter of Berke Fish and Hodl). Abraham was born in Vitebsk Oblast, Belarus. Bessie was born in Illinois, to parents from Russia.

Sources: Genealogy of Merrick Garland – https://www.geni.com

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

Obituary of Merrick’s father – http://articles.chicagotribune.com

Death record of Merrick’s paternal grandfather, Max Harry Garland – https://familysearch.org

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

Zac MacMath

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Birth Name: Zachary Michael MacMath

Place of Birth: St. Petersburg, Florida

Date of Birth: August 7, 1991

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

Zac MacMath is an American professional soccer player.

Zac’s father has Scottish and English ancestry and Zac’s mother is Jewish. Zac was raised Jewish and had a Bar Mitzvah ceremony.

On his father’s side, Zac is the grandson of William Henry MacMath, Jr. (the son of William Henry MacMath and Cecelia) and Lorna Evelyn North (the daughter of James Howard North and Lorna A. Parker).

On his mother’s side, Zac is the grandson of F. Lee Eggnatz (the son of Meyer Eggnatz and Rena Schapiro) and Marian Siegel (the daughter of Henry Siegel and Betty). Meyer was born in Maryland, to Russian Jewish parents, Isaac Eggnatz and Sadie. Rena was also born in Maryland, also to Russian Jewish parents. Henry was born in Maryland, to Russian Jewish parents.

Sources: Obituary of Zac’s paternal grandmother, Lorna Evelyn (North) MacMath – http://www.legacy.com

Obituary of Zac’s maternal grandfather, F. Lee Eggnatz – http://www.legacy.com

Zac’s maternal great-grandfather, Meyer Eggnatz, on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

Kevin DuBrow

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Tao Las Vegas 2nd Anniversary Weekend Celebration - Arrivals

Birth Name: Kevin Mark Dubrow

Date of Birth: October 29, 1955

Place of Birth: Los Angeles, California, United States

Date of Death: November 25, 2007

Place of Death: Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish, 1/512 Sephardi Jewish

Kevin DuBrow was an American singer, songwriter, and musician. He was the lead singer of the heavy metal band Quiet Riot. Kevin was the son of Laura Lee (Gotthalf) and Alvin Leon Dubrow. His brother is plastic surgeon and television personality Terry Dubrow.

Kevin’s paternal grandparents were Benjamin Dubrow (the son of David Dubrowsky/Dubrow and Gittle Lipshitz/Lipshutz) and Bessie Alpert (the daughter of Edward Alperowitz/Alpert and Sadie Costrell). Benjamin was born in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Kevin’s great-grandparents David and Gittle was born in Shchedrin, in present-day Belarus. Kevin’s great-grandfather Edward was born in Sosenka, in present-day Belarus. Kevin’s great-grandmother Sadie was born in Kurenets, in present-day Belarus.

Kevin’s maternal grandparents were Eseal Barney Gotthalf (the son of Joseph Gotthalf and Anna Rouin) and Gussie Posolsky. Kevin’s grandfather Eseal was born in Russia.

Kevin’s seventh great-grandfather, Miguel Castro, was possibly born in Spain.

Source: Genealogy of Kevin DuBrow – https://www.geni.com

Photo by Prphotos.com

Shlomit Malka

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Place of Birth: Tel Aviv, Israel

Date of Birth: December 23, 1993

Ethnicity: Russian Jewish, Moroccan Jewish

Shlomit Malka is an Israeli model. She is of Russian Jewish and Moroccan Jewish descent.

Source: http://diepresse.com

Spencer Daniels

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Birth Name: Spencer Eli Daniels

Place of Birth: Tarzana, Los Angeles, California

Date of Birth: December 23, 1992

Ethnicity:
*Welsh, Scottish, English, German, French (father)
*Ashkenazi Jewish (mother)

Spencer Daniels is an American actor.

Spencer’s paternal grandparents are Jack Alvin Daniels (the son of Lindsay Daniels and Olivine Lerone) and Phyllis Jayne Anders (the daughter of Otto Anders and Daisy Elenora Fortier). Lindsay’s father was Welsh, and Lindsay’s mother was born in Utah, to Scottish parents.

Spencer’s maternal grandfather is Ralph Loeff (born Ralph Marvin Bolstein, the son of Mortimer Jack Bolstein and Sarah Asher). Mortimer was born in New York, to Harry Bolstein, a Polish Jewish immigrant, and Sophia S. Gold, who was born in New York, to a German Jewish father and an English Jewish mother. Sarah was the daughter of Russian Jewish parents, Selig Asher and Ida Teitzel/Teitzell.

Spencer’s maternal grandmother is Lorraine R. Bluhm (the daughter of Joseph Benjamin Bluhm and Renee Zucker). Joseph was born in New York, to Russian Jewish/Lithuanian Jewish parents, Charles Saul Bluhm and Charlotte Schwartzberg. Renee was born in New York, to Russian Jewish parents, Raphael Zucker and Ida Back.

Sources: Spencer’s paternal great-grandfather, Lindsay Daniels, on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

Spencer’s maternal great-grandfather, Mortimer Jack Bolstein, on the 1920 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

Spencer’s maternal great-great-grandparents, Selig Asher and Ida Teitzel/Teitzell, on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

Neil Sedaka

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2014 Los Angeles Film Festival - "Jersey Boys" Premiere - Arrivals

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

Date of Birth: March 13, 1939

Ethnicity: Sephardi Jewish, Ashkenazi Jewish

Neil Sedaka is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and record producer.

Neil is the son of Eleanor (Appel) and Max “Mac” Sedaka. His father was of Turkish Jewish descent. His mother was of Polish Jewish and Russian Jewish descent.

Neil’s cousin was singer Eydie Gormé.

Neil’s paternal grandparents were Sam Sedacca (the son of Sarah Sedacca) and Marie/Mary Jaffee/Jaffe. Neil’s paternal grandparents were born in Istanbul, Turkey.

Sources: http://www.thejc.com

Genealogy of Neil Sedaka (focusing on his father’s side) – https://www.geni.com

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

Photo by Prphotos.com


Melanie Blatt

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"Ecstasy" UK Premiere - Arrivals

Birth Name: Melanie Ruth Blatt

Place of Birth: St. Pancras, London, England

Date of Birth: 25 March 1975

Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish, French

Melanie Blatt is a British singer, songwriter, and actress. She rose to fame in 1997 as a member of the girl group All Saints, with Natalie Appleton, Nicole Appleton, and Shaznay Lewis. Melanie is the daughter of author and travel expert David Blatt.

Her father is Jewish (of Polish Jewish and Russian Jewish descent). Her mother is from France. It is not clear if she is also Jewish.

Source: http://www.theguardian.com

Photo by Prphotos.com

Riff Raff

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LOS ANGELES - FEB 10:  Riff Raff arrives at the 55th Annual Gram

Birth Name: Horst Christian Simco

Place of Birth: Houston, Texas, U.S.

Date of Birth: January 29, 1982

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

Riff Raff is an American rapper.

Riff Raff is the son of Anita and Ronald Simco. His mother is Jewish (of German Jewish and Russian Jewish descent). Some of her relatives were victims of the Holocaust. Riff Raff has said that he is not religious. His first name, “Horst”, is of German origin.

On his mother’s side, Riff Raff is the grandson of Bernard Isaacs (the son of Max M. Isaacs and Hannah Bernhardt) and Amy Ruth Jacobson (the daughter of Samuel Jacobson and Dorothy Gimp). Bernard was born in Wisconsin, to a father from Germany and a mother who was born in Illinois, to German-born parents. Amy was born in Ohio, to a Russian-born father and a mother who was born in Ohio, to parents from Russia.

Sources: http://www.rollingstone.com

Riff Raff’s maternal grandfather, Bernard Isaacs, on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

Riff Raff’s maternal grandmother, Amy Ruth Jacobson, on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

David Geffen

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David Geffen  at the 36th AFI Lifetime Achievement Award Tribute

Birth Name: David Lawrence Geffen

Place of Birth: Brooklyn, New York, United States

Date of Birth: February 21, 1943

Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish, possibly Sephardi Jewish

David Geffen is an American business magnate, producer, film studio executive, and philanthropist. He created or co-created Asylum Records in 1970, Geffen Records in 1980, DGC Records in 1990, and DreamWorks SKG in 1994.

His father, Abraham Geffen, was a Lithuanian Jewish immigrant, from Vilnius. His mother, Batya Israelovna (Volovskaya), was a Moldovan Jewish immigrant, from Yagorlik, near Dubăsari, Transnistria.

David’s patrilineal ancestry can be traced back to his sixth great-grandfather, David Bentsion Gafanovich, of Kupiškis. Kupiškis was the hub for Jews from Portugal, who were of Sephardi Jewish origins. However, it is unclear if David Bentsion had Sephardi Jewish ancestry.

David’s paternal grandparents were Eliezer Leyb “Elias” Geffen (the son of Avraham David Geffen and Chana Gita “Sophie”) and Mina “Minnie” Montvilishky (the daughter of Link Geffen Montviliski). Avraham was the son of Eliash Jonah Geffen and Yocheved.

David’s maternal grandparents were Israel Volovsky and Sara Torgovitskaya.

Sources: Genealogy of David Geffen – https://www.geni.com

Naturalization record of David’s mother – http://search.ancestry.com

Photo by s_bukley/Bigstock.com

Doris Roberts RIP

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HOLLYWOOD - AUGUST 05: Doris Roberts at the 13th Annual Angel Aw

Birth Name: Doris May Green

Date of Birth: November 4, 1925

Place of Birth: St. Louis, Missouri

Date of Death: April 17, 2016

Place of Death: Los Angeles, California

Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish

Doris Roberts was an American actress. She was raised by her mother, Ann (Meltzer), and stepfather, Chester H. Roberts.

Doris’s parents were both Jewish, as was her stepfather. Doris’s birth father was related to vaudeville performer Henry Lewis (born Henry Levine).

Doris’s maternal grandparents were Jacob Meltzer and Bessie Morris. Jacob and Bessie were born in Russia.

Photo by s_bukley/Bigstock.com

Kevin Mitnick

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Birth Name: Kevin David Mitnick

Place of Birth: Los Angeles, California, United States

Date of Birth: August 6, 1963

Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish

Kevin Mitnick is an American computer security consultant, author, and hacker. He is known for his high-profile 1995 arrest and later five years in prison for various computer and communications-related crimes. He is the son of Rochelle August “Shelly” (Kramer) Jaffe and Alan Jay Mitnick. He is married to Bonnie Vitello.

Kevin’s maternal grandfather was Sidney Kramer (the son of Benjamin “Ben” Kramer and Rose Leaderman). Benjamin was born in Kiev, Ukraine, to Chaim Kramer and Etta. Rose was born in Talachyn, Vitebsk Region, Belarus, to Schloma Leaderman and Fannie Reman.

Kevin’s maternal grandmother was Reba Palma Helfand (the daughter of Joseph “Joe” Helfand and Ella Pickowskaya). Joseph was a Russian Jewish immigrant. Ella was a Polish (or sometimes Russian) Jewish immigrant.

Sources: Kevin’s birth record – https://familysearch.org

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

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

Marriage record of Kevin’s maternal grandparents, Sidney Kramer and Reba Palma Helfand – https://familysearch.org

Birth record of Kevin’s maternal grandmother, Reba Palma Helfand – https://familysearch.org

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