Mark Twain

Samuel Clemens, better known as Mark Twain, was a giant of American literature, giving us masterpieces like "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" and "Adventures of Huckleberry Finn." His wit was as sharp as a matzo cracker, and his observations on human nature were as keen as a rabbi's sermon on Yom Kippur.

Twain was decidedly not Jewish; his family roots were firmly planted in Protestant American soil. However, he regularly skewered religious hypocrisy and intolerance, which, while not exclusively a Jewish trait, certainly aligns with a certain prophetic tradition.

Where Twain truly shone, in a kvell-worthy sense, was his vocal and passionate defense of Jews against antisemitism. His essay "Concerning the Jews," while containing some antiquated views, ultimately concludes with a powerful and prescient condemnation of prejudice, advocating for justice and understanding. He basically called out bigots before it was cool.

So, while his personal background offered no hints of the tribe, his moral compass, particularly in the face of widespread bigotry, points directly to a kind of honorary, deeply respected mensch-hood. He might not have been a Jew, but he certainly acted like one when it counted.