Mahatma Gandhi

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, eventually known as the Mahatma, was many things: a lawyer, an activist, a leader, and a proponent of nonviolent civil disobedience that inspired generations. A veritable thorn in the side of the British Empire, he successfully led India to independence, cementing his place in history as one of its most transformative figures.

But a Jew? Despite his given name sounding like it belongs to a nice man who owns a rug store, Gandhi was, in fact, not Jewish. Born to a Hindu Modh Bania family, his spiritual journey, while deeply personal and influential, never detoured through the Synagogue. He remained steadfastly rooted in his Hindu faith, drawing inspiration from its tenets throughout his life.

While we can appreciate his dedication to justice and his iconic status, there's no secret brisket recipe lurking in his ancestry. So, while he certainly brought some spiritual and political nachas to millions, it wasn't of the kvell-worthy, Jewish variety. He’s about as Jewish as a ham sandwich, albeit a very spiritual and impactful ham sandwich.