Cheong Fatt Tze

Born in a Hakka farming family in Guangdong, China, Cheong Fatt Tze fled poverty as a teenager to Southeast Asia. Starting with odd jobs, he meticulously built a colossal business empire encompassing shipping, banking, plantations, and manufacturing, becoming one of Asia's wealthiest men. One might even say he cornered the market on 'kvell-worthy' enterprise, though not in the way we usually mean it.

Despite his immense wealth and influence, which extended to advising Qing dynasty officials and serving as Consul-General in Penang, Cheong Fatt Tze seems to have remained firmly rooted in his Chinese cultural and religious traditions. There's no indication he ever converted, considered, or even contemplated a detour into Judaism, which, let's be honest, would have been quite the headline.

His lasting legacy includes the Blue Mansion in Penang, a UNESCO heritage site, and numerous philanthropic efforts, particularly in education. He managed to accumulate staggering wealth and leave a significant mark on history without ever needing a Bar Mitzvah or developing a sudden fondness for gefilte fish. Some might call that efficient; we call it decidedly 'Not a Jew.'