Barack Obama

Barack Hussein Obama was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, to a white mother from Kansas and a Black father from Kenya. His diverse background and upbringing, including time spent in Indonesia, shaped his worldview, but none of it involved matzo ball soup or a Bar Mitzvah. He’s about as Jewish as a ham sandwich.

During his time in office, President Obama maintained a close relationship with the Jewish community and with Israel, though it was often... complicated. He appointed several Jewish people to prominent positions, including two Jewish Chiefs of Staff, Rahm Emanuel and Jack Lew, proving that he was at least comfortable delegating to members of the tribe.

While he never claimed Jewish heritage or practiced the faith, Obama's nuanced approach to Middle Eastern politics and his personal friendships with prominent Jewish figures sometimes led to bizarre conspiracy theories from both ends of the political spectrum. Rest assured, folks: the only thing he's kvelling over is probably Sasha and Malia's accomplishments.

So, to be absolutely clear for those in the back: Barack Obama is not Jewish. Not even a little bit. He's a Christian, and his connection to Judaism is largely political and collegial, not ancestral or religious. His