Barack/Michelle have a cousin who's a rabbi

[ruggerson]

http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/

September 14, 2008 11:57 AM

So nu?

How has this escaped mention by Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., in his swings through Southern Florida?

The Jewish Daily Forward reports that one of Michelle Obama's cousins is the most prominent African-American rabbi in the U.S., Rabbi Capers Funnye, chief rabbi of Chicago's Beth Shalom B’nai Zaken Ethiopian Hebrew Congregation.

A shul with soul -- check it out.

Michelle Obama’s paternal grandfather, Frasier Robinson Jr., was the brother of Funnye's mother, Verdelle Robinson Funnye (born Verdelle Robinson).

"Although Funnye’s congregation describes itself as Ethiopian Hebrew," the Forward reports, "it is not connected to the Ethiopian Jews, commonly called Beta Israel, who have immigrated to Israel en masse in recent decades. It is also separate from the Black Hebrews in Dimona, Israel, and the Hebrew Israelite black supremacist group whose incendiary street harangues have become familiar spectacles in a number of American cities. Funnye converted to Judaism and was ordained as a rabbi under the supervision of black Israelite rabbis, then went through another conversion supervised by Orthodox and Conservative rabbis. He serves on the Chicago Board of Rabbis."

(more)

[iamjoy]

1. How Strange

It is odd this has never been mentioned before.

[ClarkUSA]

2. Because the Obamas are not into using their family as campaign props like McCain/Palin

'Nuff said.

[POAS]

3. SOOoooo, he's one a them Jew Muslins....

Somebody quick post this info @ Freeperville.

[question everything]

4. I dunno. Being called "Ethiopian Jews" they may prefer Egyptian cotton

(Have we put that infamous banner into the hallmark of DU?)

[cliffordu]

8. lol. Great.

[rug]

5. First cousin once removed is a tenuous connection.

[jillan]

6. And Biden's daughter in law is Jewish.

Biden was speaking Yiddish to a group of retirees in Fla last week :P


But that's the difference of our guys - they are fighting for everybody.

[Madam Mossfern]

7. That would be just another headache

No only would the racists be motivated, but would bring in the anti-semites as well.

[FrenchieCat]

10. For the most part....they are one and the same.

[ruggerson]

14. I agree

I think in Florida and NY/NJ/CT it would do him more good than harm.

[flamingdem]

9. Talking point for phone bankers and Obama people campaigning in FLORIDA w/Jewish vote

The jews in FL are not thrilled w/Palin so this is a good excuse for them to come over to Obama.

[stray cat]

11. Obama also has a grandfather who is a World War II vet

[comanche12]

12. what next - they're Yankee fans?

[grantcart]

13. I hired the guy who conducted the secret migration of "Ethiopian Jews" out of the Sudan

It amazed us that it could be kept secret for so many years. How can you keep the sudden appearance of thousands of orthodox African Jews following ancient texts a secret as they walk around Tel Aviv?

Great article