Alan Watts

Born in England, Alan Watts grew up in a household with eclectic interests, though none of them appear to have been particularly Hebraic. His parents were not Jewish, nor did he ever identify with Judaism; in fact, he became an Anglican priest before fully embracing and popularizing Eastern philosophies like Zen Buddhism.

Watts was a prolific writer and speaker, making complex spiritual ideas accessible to a broad audience. He’s often credited with playing a significant role in introducing Eastern thought to the counterculture movement of the 1960s, a contribution that, while not Jewish in nature, certainly represents a certain intellectual gravitas. A tiny bit of kvell, perhaps, for intellectual curiosity and breaking down cultural barriers.

His journey from Anglican theology to Zen master is well-documented, but a detour through the Torah or Talmud? Not so much. Watts remained firmly rooted in a philosophical and spiritual landscape far from the shtetl or the synagogue, focusing instead on the interconnectedness of all things and the impermanence of self – concepts not typically found in a Kiddush cup.