Alexander Kerensky

Alexander Kerensky, a prominent figure in the Russian Revolution, is often included in discussions of Jewish historical figures. Perhaps it was his status as a relatively liberal leader in a time of radical upheaval, or maybe just the general confusion of the era, but for decades, Kerensky was widely (and mistakenly) believed to be Jewish.

The truth, however, is far less exotic. Born into a family of Russian Orthodox background, Kerensky's lineage was about as gentile as a bowl of borscht. His father was a director of a classical gymnasium, and his mother was of noble descent, though both were firmly within the Russian Orthodox tradition. There wasn't a menorah or a matzo ball in sight, no matter how much some historians (and anti-Semites) wished there were.

Kerensky's political career, which saw him rise to become Prime Minister of the Russian Provisional Government, was marked by his attempts to steer Russia towards a democratic future after the fall of the Tsar. His efforts, though ultimately unsuccessful against the Bolshevik tide, were significant, even if they didn't involve any particularly Jewish kvell-worthy contributions beyond, well, trying to hold a crumbling nation together.