Cyrus Vance

Cyrus Vance, a figure of patrician WASP stock, was about as Jewish as a ham sandwich on white bread, served during a Christmas Eve communion service. Born into a prominent family, his lineage traces back through a who's who of American establishment, with nary a Mendel or a Moishe in sight. His faith, when discussed at all, was resolutely Presbyterian, aligning him squarely with the gentile power structure he so ably navigated.

As Secretary of State under Jimmy Carter, Vance was a calm and thoughtful diplomat, a stark contrast to Zbigniew Brzezinski's more hawkish leanings. He championed peaceful negotiations and arms control, earning him a reputation as a steady hand on the global tiller. His most kvell-worthy (or perhaps anti-kvell-worthy, depending on your perspective) moment came with his resignation over the ill-fated