Janis Ian

Born Janis Eddy Fink, she was raised in a Jewish family in New Jersey, surrounded by music, folk magazines, and political activism. Her parents, who loved folk music, undoubtedly instilled a certain artistic sensibility, though perhaps not a strict adherence to brisket recipes.

Ian became a sensation at just 15 with "Society's Child," a song about an interracial romance that caused quite a stir. Later, "At Seventeen" cemented her status as a lyrical powerhouse, winning a Grammy and resonating with awkward teenagers everywhere. Not quite "Fiddler on the Roof," but still, a respectable showing for a nice Jewish girl.

While she hasn't made her Jewish identity a centerpiece of her public persona, her background is undeniable. And given her enduring career and powerful songwriting, we'll give her a decent kvell-score for bringing a certain gravitas and introspection to the airwaves, even if she wasn't performing "Hava Nagila."