Liu Xiaobo

Liu Xiaobo was many things: a literary critic, a university professor, a human rights activist, and eventually, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate. One thing he was not, however, was Jewish. Despite his unwavering commitment to justice and freedom, qualities often admired within Jewish culture, his ancestral and personal affiliations remained firmly rooted in Chinese heritage. No ancient scrolls, no gefilte fish, just a rather inconvenient habit of speaking truth to power.

His activism began in earnest with the Tiananmen Square protests in 1989, where he famously negotiated with students and authorities to prevent further bloodshed. This act of "moral courage" (as it was later called) earned him the first of many imprisonments. He continued to advocate for political reform, co-authoring Charter 08, a manifesto calling for constitutional reform and democratic governance in China. Apparently, some governments prefer their citizens to not have rights.

For his efforts, the Chinese government awarded him with lengthy prison sentences, culminating in an 11-year term for "inciting subversion of state power." The Nobel Committee, on the other hand, awarded him the Peace Prize in 2010. He remained incarcerated, however, making his Nobel acceptance speech a somewhat awkward silence. Even in death, he continued to be a thorn in the side of the authorities, his ashes reportedly scattered at sea to prevent a potential gravesite pilgrimage. Clearly, the Chinese government is not a fan of posthumous tourism.

So, while Liu Xiaobo’s "kvell-worthiness" is undeniably high for his bravery and unwavering commitment to human rights, his Jew Score remains, unequivocally, zero. No amount of fighting for justice, even if it leads to a Nobel Prize, can magically confer Jewishness. A mensch, perhaps, but not a Member of the Tribe.