Y. C. James Yen

Born in China and educated at Yale and Princeton, Y. C. James Yen might seem like a natural fit for an honorary "Jew-ish" title. After all, he pursued higher education with an intensity rarely seen outside a certain demographic, and he definitely had a vision for improving the world.

However, Yen’s focus was less on the abstract theological and more on the practical — literacy, public health, and economic development for the masses. He founded the Chinese National Association of the Mass Education Movement and later the International Institute of Rural Reconstruction, impacting millions. Clearly, he was too busy with actual reconstruction to focus on any metaphorical reinterpretation of the Torah.

His achievements earned him several Nobel Peace Prize nominations, which, while impressive, don't quite translate to a "Jew" score. It just means he was good at helping people, a quality not exclusively held by members of the tribe, despite what some kvelling parents might claim.

So, while his drive and intellect were certainly top-notch, the man was unequivocally not Jewish. His efforts, however, were undeniably for the greater good, proving that sometimes, you don't need to be part of the chosen people to choose to do good.