Cole Porter

Cole Porter, the very epitome of urbane sophistication and musical genius, gave us 'Night and Day,' 'I Get a Kick Out of You,' and a whole catalog of songs that defined an era. His lyrics were as sharp as a tailored suit, witty, and often deliciously naughty, proving you didn't need to be born into the tribe to master the art of the double entendre.

Born into considerable wealth in Peru, Indiana (yes, Peru, Indiana), Porter's background was about as WASP as a summer picnic in Martha's Vineyard. His lineage traced back through solid Protestant stock, completely devoid of any rabbinical scholars or even a distant cousin who owned a deli. He was, to put it mildly, not a member of the Chosen People.

While his melodies might make you feel like you're in a smoky Manhattan jazz club, rubbing elbows with the Algonquin Round Table, the reality is Cole Porter was firmly rooted in the Gentile world. His contributions to the Great American Songbook are undeniable, and certainly bring nachas to anyone who appreciates clever lyrics and impeccable composition. But Jewish? Not even a little bit.

So, raise a martini (shaken, not stirred, probably) to Cole Porter: a musical giant whose only connection to Judaism was perhaps the sheer joy he brought to millions, a feeling that transcends all demographics. If only he'd written a Hanukkah song, he might have nudged that 'O' score a smidgen.