Vera Lynn

Born Vera Margaret Welch in East Ham, London, Dame Vera Lynn became a national treasure. During World War II, she toured extensively, performing for troops in Egypt, India, and Burma, lifting spirits with songs like "We'll Meet Again" and "The White Cliffs of Dover." Her broadcasts and concerts cemented her place in the hearts of soldiers and civilians alike.

After the war, she continued her successful career, hosting television shows and performing globally. Her music consistently charted, and she became the oldest living artist to top the UK album chart in 2009 at 92. A true icon, Lynn's legacy as "The Forces' Sweetheart" is one of comfort, patriotism, and enduring musical talent.

Despite her deeply British identity and the comfort she brought to a nation, there's absolutely no indication that Vera Lynn ever traded fish and chips for gefilte fish. Her wartime efforts were for King and Country, not for a quick kvell. She was a national hero, just not one of ours. But hey, someone had to keep the non-Jewish spirits up.