Daniel K. Inouye

Daniel Inouye was a man of many firsts, and none of them involved a Bar Mitzvah. Born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii, Inouye's lineage traced directly to Japan, a heritage he proudly represented throughout his distinguished career.

His service in World War II, where he lost an arm fighting with the segregated 442nd Regimental Combat Team, earned him the Medal of Honor, among countless other accolades. From there, he parlayed his hero status into a political career that saw him serving in Congress for over 50 years, making him one of the longest-serving senators in U.S. history. He was, quite simply, a titan of American politics.

While his contributions to America were immense and undoubtedly brought nachas to countless citizens, none of that nachas stemmed from a connection to the Tribe. He was a devout Methodist, a fact that should put to rest any lingering questions of his Semitic status.

So, despite his undeniable Kvell-worthiness and impressive list of achievements, we can definitively say that Daniel K. Inouye was not, in fact, "of the covenant." His legacy, however, remains etched in the annals of American history, sans Star of David.