Benny Gantz

Benny Gantz, born in Kfar Ahim, Israel, to parents who were Holocaust survivors from Romania and Hungary, didn't just grow up Jewish; he grew up Israeli Jewish, which, for those keeping score, is often a distinction without a difference when it comes to identity. His father helped found the moshav, cementing his roots in the nascent state.

His career path was less about finding himself and more about finding the enemy, rising through the ranks of the Israel Defense Forces to become its 20th Chief of Staff. From commando units to commanding the entire military, Gantz spent over 30 years ensuring the security of the Jewish state, racking up kvell-worthy achievements with every star on his shoulder.

Post-military, Gantz pivoted to politics, co-founding the Blue and White alliance and entering the Knesset. He's since served in various high-profile ministerial roles, including Minister of Defense and Deputy Prime Minister, proving that leading an army is merely a warm-up for navigating the labyrinthine world of Israeli coalition politics.

While his political career has seen its share of ups and downs, including an ill-fated "rotation agreement" for the premiership, Benny Gantz remains a prominent figure, embodying the very essence of a sabra — tough, pragmatic, and undeniably Jewish.