Birth Name: Jorma Ludwik Kaukonen

Place of Birth: Washington, D.C., United States

Date of Birth: December 23, 1940

Ethnicity:
*Finnish, some Swedish (father)
*Ashkenazi Jewish (mother)

Jorma Kaukonen is an American singer, songwriter, and musician. He was the lead guitarist and singer of the rock band Jefferson Airplane. Jorma is the son of Beatrice Love (Levine) and Jorma Ludwig Kaukonen. His father was of Finnish, and some Swedish, descent. His mother was Jewish, and Jorma practices Judaism.

Jorma’s paternal grandparents were Jaakko Ludvig Kaukonen (the son of Tuomas Hermanninpoika Kaukonen and Maria Simontytär Louko) and Ida Charlotta Palmqvist (the daughter of Alexander Ferdinand Danielsson Palmqvist and Ida Sofia Aatamintytär Ruoja). Jorma’s grandparents Jaakko and Ida were immigrants from Finland.

Jorma’s maternal grandparents were Benjamin Samuel Levine (the son of Samuel Levine) and Vera Faith Joseph Haskevitch. Benjamin and Vera were immigrants from Russia.

Source: Genealogy of Jorma Kaukonen – https://www.geni.com

Photo by Bonish Photo/Bigstock.com

Birth Name: Linda Louise Eastman

Date of Birth: September 24, 1941

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

Date of Death: April 17, 1998

Place of Death: Tucson, Arizona

Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish

Linda McCartney was an American musician, photographer, businessperson, publisher, and animal rights activist. She was the keyboardist and backup singer for the group Wings, which was fronted by her husband, musician Paul McCartney.

Linda was the daughter of Louise Sara (Lindner) and Lee Eastman (born Leopold Vail Epstein), a showbusiness attorney and art collector. Among her children is fashion designer Stella McCartney.

Linda’s paternal grandparents were Louis Epstein (the son of Max Barntovsky/Epstein and Mary Solomon) and Stella Freyer. Louis was born in New York, of Polish Jewish descent, with his father being from Augustow. Stella was a Russian Jewish immigrant.

Linda’s maternal grandparents were Max Joseph Lindner (the son of Isador F. Lindner and Esther Freyer) and Stella Dryfoos (the daughter of Isaac Dryfoos and Sarah Schwartzenberg). Max was born in Ohio, of Polish Jewish descent. Isaac and Sarah were German Jews, Isaac from Marienthal and Sarah from Graywaler.

Source: Genealogy of Linda McCartney – https://www.geni.com

Birth Name: Jakob Luke Dylan

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

Date of Birth: December 9, 1969

Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish

Jakob Dylan is an American singer and songwriter. He is the lead singer for the rock band The Wallflowers. Jakob is the son of model Shirley Marlin Noznisky and musician Bob Dylan. His parents are both Jewish.

Jakob’s paternal grandparents were Abram “Abe” Zimmerman (the son of Zigman Zisel Zimmerman and Anna Chana Greenstein) and Beatrice “Beatty” Stone (the daughter of Benjamin David Solemovitz/Stone and Florence Sara Edelstein). Zigman and Anna were from Odessa, in the Russian Empire, now in Ukraine. They emigrated to the United States following the anti-Semitic pogroms of 1905. Benjamin and Florence were Lithuanian Jews. They arrived in the U.S. in 1902.

Jakob’s maternal grandparents were Isaac Noznisky/Novoletsky and Bessie.

In his autobiography Chronicles: Volume One (2004), Bob Dylan wrote:

Originally, [my grandmother had] come from Turkey, sailed from Trabzon, a port town, across the Black Sea… Her family was from Kagizman, a town in Turkey near the Armenian border, and the family name had been Kirghiz. My grandfather’s parents had also come from that same area, where they had been mostly shoemakers and leatherworkers. My grandmother’s ancestors had been from Constantinople. As a teenager, I used to sing the Ritchie Valens song “In a Turkish Town” with the lines in it about the “mystery Turks and the stars above,” and it seemed to suit me more than “La Bamba,” the song of Ritchie’s that everybody else sang and I never knew why.

It is not clear if these statements about Turkish Jewish ancestry are accurate.

Sources: Genealogy of Jakob Dylan – https://www.geni.com

Jakob’s paternal grandparents, Abram “Abe” Zimmerman and Beatrice “Beatty” Stone, on the 1940 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

Photo by kathclick/Bigstock.com

Place of Birth: New York City, New York

Date of Birth: May 30, 1986

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

Will Peltz is an American actor. He is the son of Claudia (Heffner), a model, and Nelson Peltz, a businessman and philanthropist. Actress Nicola Peltz and hockey player Brad Peltz are his siblings.

Will’s father is from an Ashkenazi Jewish family (from Austria and Russia). Will’s mother has German, Welsh, and English ancestry. Will’s family practices Judaism (it is possible that his mother converted to Judaism).

Will’s paternal grandparents were Maurice Herbert Peltz (the son of Adolph Peltz and Rebecca Kroudviro) and Claire Wechsler. Maurice was born in New York, to Austrian Jewish parents. Adolph was the son of Morris Peltz and Shifra Rosen. Claire was born in New York, to an Austrian Jewish father and a Russian Jewish mother.

Will’s maternal grandparents were William J. Heffner (the son of Edward G. Heffner and Claudia M. Evans) and Barbara. Edward was the son of Edward Heffner and Mary W. Claudia was the daughter of Damon L. Evans and Lulu M. Rogers.

Sources: Genealogy of Will Peltz (through Will’s sister, Nicola) – https://www.geni.com

Will’s paternal grandparents, Maurice Herbert Peltz and Claire Wechsler, on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

Will’s paternal grandfather, Maurice Herbert Peltz, on the 1920 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

Obituary of Will’s maternal grandfather, William J. Heffner – http://nl.newsbank.com

Will’s maternal great-grandfather, Edward G. Heffner, on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

Photo by DFree/Bigstock.com

Birth Name: Laura Jane Silverman

Place of Birth: Bedford, New Hampshre, United States

Date of Birth: June 10, 1966

Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish

Laura Silverman is an American actress and voice actress. She is the daughter of Beth Ann (Halpin) and Donald Silverman. One of her siblings is actress/comedian Sarah Silverman. Her parents’ families were both Jewish (from Russia, Poland, and Lithuania).

Laura’s paternal grandparents were Max Silverman (likely the son of Jacob Silverman and Fanny Tessler/Teshier) and Rose. Max was born in Massachusetts, to parents from Russia.

Laura’s maternal grandparents were Herman S. Halpin and Goldie Trapsky (the daughter of Samuel Trapsky and Ida/Ada Supraner). Herman was born in Washington, D.C. Goldie was born in Vilna, Lithuania.

Sources: Laura’s sister Sarah mentions their ancestry (YouTube) – http://www.youtube.com

Laura’s father on the 1940 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

Laura’s paternal grandfather, Max Silverman, on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

Photo by kathclick/Bigstock.com

Birth Name: Susan Carol Alpert

Place of Birth: Cambridge, Massachusetts

Date of Birth: April 13, 1944

Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish

Susan Davis is an American politician. A Democrat, she has served as a Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from California since 2001, currently for California’s 53rd congressional district.

Susan is the daughter of Dorothy/Dora M. (Wexler) and Dr. George R. Alpert. All four of Susan’s grandparents were Jewish immigrants from the Russian Empire.

Susan’s paternal grandparents were Barnet Alpert and Mary. Barnet was born in Wilna, Lithuania.

Susan’s maternal grandparents were Max/Maxwell Wexler and Edith Mary Yochelmo/Yochelman. Max was born in Kiev, Ukraine.

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

Birth Name: Eliot Lance Engel

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

Date of Birth: February 18, 1947

Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish

Eliot Engel is an American politician. A Democrat, he has served as a Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York since 1989, currently for New York’s 16th congressional district.

Eliot’s paternal grandparents were Benjamin Engel and Dora. Benjamin and Dora were both born in Russia.

Sources: http://www.chabad.org

Genealogy of Eliot Engel (focusing on his father’s side) – http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com

Place of Birth: Katonah, New York

Date of Birth: May 6, 1994

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

Noah Galvin is an American actor.

His father is Catholic, of Irish and Italian descent. His mother is Jewish (of Russian Jewish, Polish Jewish, and Austrian Jewish descent).

He has said, “I was raised both Jewish and Catholic going to CCD [Confraternity of Christian Doctrine], Hebrew School and church. My siblings were both confirmed and had their Bar and Bat Mitzvahs.” He has also described himself as Jewish.

Noah’s maternal grandfather is Jack Fink (the son of Ysruel Nuchim “Nathan” Fink and Malke Dvora “Dorothy” Radzinsky). Jack was born in the Russian Empire, to a Jewish family. Ysruel was born in Poland, the son of Yudel Finkelstein and Malke Rachel Goldberg. Malka was born in Poland, the daughter of Zvi Hirsh Radzinsky and Shoshana Sura Kawer.

Noah’s maternal grandmother is Florence Waze (the daughter of Samuel Waze and Belle Cashman/Cashwan). Florence was born in Michigan, to an Austrian Jewish father, from Radziechów, and a Russian Jewish mother. Belle’s mother was named Leah.

Sources: Genealogy of Noah Galvin (focusing on his mother’s side) – https://www.geni.com

Noah’s maternal grandfather, Jack Fink, on the 1940 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

Noah’s maternal grandmother, Florence Waze, on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

photo by Gage Skidmore

Birth Name: Jill Ellen Stein

Place of Birth: Chicago, Illinois, United States

Date of Birth: May 14, 1950

Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish

Jill Stein is an American physician, activist, and politician. She is the Green Party’s 2016 nominee for President of the United States. She was also the Green Party’s nominee for President of the United States in 2012.

Jill is the daughter of Gladys (Wool) and Joseph Stein.

Jill’s paternal grandparents were Abraham “Abe” Stein and Lillian/Lily Zeidman/Zudman (the daughter of Joseph Zeidman and Sarah Green). Abraham was a Jewish immigrant from Russia/Poland. Lillian was born in London, England, to Russian Jewish parents.

Jill’s maternal grandparents were Israel William Wool (the son of Aaron Wool and Rose Lerner) and Mae Surslossky/Swislow. Israel and Mae were Russian Jewish immigrants. Israel was from Volhynia. Aaron was the son of Joseph Wool.

Sources: http://forward.com

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

Jill’s paternal grandmother, Lillian/Lily Zeidman/Zudman, on the 1910 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

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

Jill’s maternal grandfather, Israel Wool, on the 1920 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

Birth Name: Eric Jay Bloom

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

Date of Birth: December 1, 1944

Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish

Eric Bloom is an American singer, songwriter, and musician. He is the lead singer and stun guitarist of the rock band Blue Öyster Cult. Eric is the son of Jewish parents, Carrie and Benjamin Nathan Bloom.

Eric’s paternal grandparents were Joseph Bloom and Emma Dubowsky. Joseph was born in Russia. Emma was born in Suwałki, Poland.

Eric’s maternal grandparents were both born in Russia.

Sources: Genealogy of Eric Bloom (focusing on his father’s side) – https://www.geni.com

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

Photo by prphotos.com

Date of Birth: December 15, 1977

Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish

Marc Mezvinsky is an American investment banker. He co-founded the hedge fund Eaglevale Partners. Marc is married to executive Chelsea Clinton.

Marc is the son of politicians Marjorie Margolies and Edward Mezvinsky. His parents, Democrats, were both Members of the U.S. House of Representatives, his father, from Iowa, from January 3, 1973 to January 3, 1977, and his mother, from Pennsylvania, from January 3, 1993 to January 3, 1995.

Marc was raised in Conservative Judaism. His family is from Russia, Poland, and Germany.

Marc is in an interfaith marriage with Chelsea, who is Methodist.

Marc’s paternal grandparents were Abe Mezvinsky (the son of Nathan Mezvinsky and Yenta Osherenko) and Fannie Grundman (the daughter of David B. Grundman and Ester Dominitz). Abe was born in Russia. Fannie was born in Poland, to a father from Russia and a mother who was born in Sukow, Mecklenburg-West Pommerania, Germany.

Marc’s maternal grandparents were Herbert Margolies (the son of Philip Margolies and Mary) and Mildred Harrison (the daughter of Charles R. Harrison and Sadie Sostman). Herbert was born in Pennsylvania, to parents from Russia. Charles was born in Minnesota, to a father from Poland and a mother from Hanover, Germany. Sadie was born in Pennsylvania, to parents from Germany, with her father being from Emmerthal, Lower Saxony.

Source: Genealogy Marc Mezvinsky – https://www.geni.com

Photo by Prphotos

Birth Name: Zachary E. Posen

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

Date of Birth: October 24, 1980

Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish

Zac Posen is an American fashion designer. He is the son of Susan (Orzack) and Stephen Posen. Both of his parents are Jewish, from the SoHo neighborhood of lower Manhattan.

Zac’s maternal grandparents were Everett D. Orzack (the son of Morris Orzack and Jennie) and Mildred Levin (the daughter of Samuel Levin and Beatrice). Morris was born in Poland. Jennie was born in New York, to parents from Germany. Samuel was born in Russia. Beatrice was born in Maryland, to parents from Russia.

Source: http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org

Photo by DFree/bigstockphoto.com

Birth Name: Taika David Waititi

Place of Birth: Wellington, New Zealand

Date of Birth: August 16, 1975

Ethnicity:
*Maori, as well as 1/16th French-Canadian (father)
*Ashkenazi Jewish (mother)

Taika Waititi, also known as Taika Cohen, is a New Zealand film director, writer, actor, painter, and comedian.

Taika’s father is Maori, and also of one sixteenth French-Canadian ancestry. His mother is Jewish, of Russian Jewish descent; her maiden name is “Cohen”.

Taika’s paternal grandparents were Edward Taika Waititi (the son of Kainga O Te Ware Waititi and Taupe Brown or Paraone) and Matewa Delamere (the daughter of Hiki Manawa Delamere and Rongopouri Poihipi). Hiki’s paternal grandfather, Samuel Delamere, was a French-Canadian whaler who married Peti Te Ha, a Maori woman.

Sources: Genealogy of Taika Waititi (focusing on his father’s side) – https://www.geni.com

Taika’s family background – http://www.npr.org

Information about Taika’s great-great-great-grandfather, Samuel Delamere – http://www.teara.govt.nz

Photo by Joe Seer/bigstockphoto.com

Birth Name: Tony Peter Panayi

Place of Birth: Manchester, Lancashire, England

Date of Birth: January 27, 1961

Ethnicity:
*Greek Cypriot (father)
*Russian Jewish, Syrian Jewish (mother)

Tony Clement is a Canadian politician. A member of the Conservative Party of Canada, he has served as an MP from Ontario, since January 23, 2006, and before that from June 8, 1995 to September 2, 2003. He was Minister of Health, from February 6, 2006 to October 30, 2008, and Minister of Industry, from October 30, 2008 to May 18, 2011.

Tony was born Tony Peter Panayi in Manchester, Lancashire, England, to Carol Ann (Drapkin) and Peter M. Panayi. His father was a Greek Cypriot. His mother was Jewish (of Russian Jewish and Syrian Jewish descent).

Tony himself practices Christianity.

His family moved to Canada when he was around four. His stepfather was Canadian politician John Clement, an Ontario MPP, who adopted Tony.

Tony’s maternal grandparents were Charles Drapkin and Vera Djeddah. Vera’s family was from Aleppo, Syria.

Birth Name: Adam Saul Pally

Place of Birth: New York City, New York

Date of Birth: March 18, 1982

Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish

Adam Pally is an American actor and comedian.

Adam’s paternal grandparents are Aaron Abraham Pally and ? Klein (the daughter of Samuel Klein and Yetta Friedman). Yetta was the daughter of Wolf Friedman and Gussie.

Adam’s maternal grandparents were Arthur S. Katkin (the son of Nathan Katkin and Roslyn/Rosalind) and Sylvia Sobel (the daughter of Julius Sobel and Ida). Nathan was born in Russia. Sylvia was born in New York, to parents from Poland.

Sources: Genealogy of Adam Pally – https://www.geni.com

Adam’s maternal grandmother, Sylvia Sobel, on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

Photo by Prphotos

Birth Name: either Akiva D. Schaffer or Akiva D. Shebar (depending on birth certificate)

Place of Birth: Alameda, California, United States

Date of Birth: December 1, 1977

Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish, possibly Sephardi Jewish

Akiva Schaffer is an American actor, comedian, singer, rapper, musician, director, producer, and writer. He is a member of the comedy group The Lonely Island, along with Andy Samberg and Jorma Taccone.

Akiva is the son of Patricia Ann (Schaffer) and Gerald D. Shebar. His parents are both Jewish. The surname “Shebar” is often found among some Argentinian Jews, and might have Sephardi Jewish origins.

Akiva is married to actress Liz Cackowski, with whom he has two children.

Akiva’s maternal grandparents is probably Mischa Mark Schaffer and Ruth F. Mischa was born in Russia.

Source: Marriage record of Akiva’s parents – https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V6DB-LR3

Photo by prphotos.com

Birth Name: Jussie Langston Mikha Smollett

Place of Birth: U.S

Date of Birth: June 21, 198?

Ethnicity:
*Ashkenazi Jewish (father)
*African-American, Native American, Louisiana Creole, Irish (mother)

Jussie Smollett is an American actor, singer, and photographer. He is the son of Janet (Harris) and Joel Smollett. His siblings include Jojo Smollett, Jazz Smollett, Jurnee Smollett-Bell, Jake Smollett, and Jocqui Smollett, all of whom have been involved in the entertainment business.

Jussie’s father, who was white, was Ashkenazi Jewish (from a family from Russia and Poland). Jussie’s mother is black.

Jussie’s sister Jurnee stated in an interview that her mother has African-American, Native American, Louisiana Creole, and Irish ancestry.

Jussie’s paternal grandmother’s name is Molly.

Source: Interview where Jurnee mentions her background – http://www.tsdmemphis.com

Photo by kathclick/Bigstock.com

Birth Name: Philip Milton Roth

Place of Birth: Newark, New Jersey, U.S.

Date of Birth: March 19, 1933

Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish

Philip Roth is an American novelist.

He is the son of Bess (Finkel) and Herman Hyman Roth. His father was born in New Jersey, to Austrian Jewish parents. His mother was also born in New Jersey, to an Austrian Jewish father and a Russian Jewish mother.

Philip’s paternal grandparents were Sender/Samuel Alexander Roth (the son of Akiva Roth and Sara Flaschner) and Bertha Feige Brana Zahnstecher (the daughter of Moses Zahnstecher and Sara). Moses was the son of Abraham Wolfe Zahnstecher and Feude.

Philip’s maternal grandparents were Philip Finkel and Dora.

Source: Genealogy of Philip Roth – https://www.geni.com

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

Date of Birth: 1988

Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish, Irish

Karl Glusman is an American actor. He has been described as being of German Jewish and Irish Catholic descent.

Karl’s paternal grandparents were Morris/Murray Glusman (the son of Louis Glusman and Sophie) and Ida Louise Johns. Morris was born in New York, to Russian Jewish parents.

Sources: Obituary of Karl’s paternal grandfather, Morris/Murray Glusman – http://query.nytimes.com

Obituary of Karl’s paternal grandmother, Ida Louise (Johns) Glusman – http://www.legacy.com

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Birth Name: Mark Andrew Spitz

Place of Birth: Modesto, California

Date of Birth: February 10, 1950

Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish

Mark Spitz is an American competition swimmer. He is a nine-time Olympic champion. He won seven gold medals at the 1972 Munich Olympics, then the most ever at one Olympics. The record held until 2008, when Michael Phelps broke it (winning eight gold medals).

Mark set world records in all seven events in which he competed in 1972.

Mark is the son of Lenore Sylvia (Smith) and Arnold Spitz. His parents were/are both Jewish.

Mark’s paternal grandparents were Morris Spitz (the son of Nathan Spitz and Tery Ignotz) and Alice Schwalb (the daughter of Robert M. Schwalb and Terez). Morris was born in New York, to Hungarian Jewish parents. Alice was born in Colorado, also to Hungarian Jewish parents.

Mark’s maternal grandfather was Louis J. Smith (the son of Hessel “Harry” Smith and Hannah Levin). Louis was a Jewish immigrant, born in Traube/Traby, Belarus. Hessel was the son of Shimon Zlotkovich/Sklotkovick and Shana Basha. Hannah was the daughter of Borach M. Levin and Sarah F.

Mark’s maternal grandmother was Edith Rosen (whose parents’ surnames were “Rosen” and “Melman”). Edith was born in England, to Russian Jewish parents.

Sources: Genealogy of Mark Spitz (focusing on his father’s side) – https://www.geni.com

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

Genealogy of Mark’s mother – http://www.genealogy.com

Photo by Prphotos