Elena Kagan

Elena Kagan, a decidedly real Jew, has served on the U.S. Supreme Court since 2010. Before that, she was the first woman to serve as Solicitor General. Before THAT, she was the first woman to be Harvard Law School Dean. Before that, there was probably something else she was first at. A regular Ruth Bader Ginsburg in the making, minus the lace collars.

Kagan grew up in a Jewish family in New York City, attending Lincoln Square Synagogue, an Orthodox congregation, and celebrating abat mitzvah there. She worked on the Princeton Jewish Standard as an undergraduate at Princeton. So yes, very Jewish indeed.

While nominated by President Obama, a noted gentile, Kagan's appointment was widely celebrated by those who appreciate a nice Jewish daughter making good. Her jurisprudence is generally seen as liberal, but she's also known for her collegiality and ability to find common ground with her more conservative counterparts. A true mensch on the bench, if you will.

Her biggest kvell-worthy moment might just be her love of baseball, specifically the Washington Nationals. She's often seen at games, sometimes even sporting a curly W hat. Because what's more American, or more kvell-worthy, than a Supreme Court Justice who can quote statistics and argue balls and strikes with the best of 'em?