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Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez reveals Jewish ancestry at Hanukkah celebration
Boston Globe ^ | 12/10/18 | Isaac Stanley-Becker

Posted on 12/10/2018 9:43:19 AM PST by Libloather

Hanukkah celebrates the miracle that oil thought to be enough for only one day burned instead for eight. So the Jewish festival of lights is also, in a way, a celebration of surprise.

A temple in Queens got a small dose of surprise on Sunday - the final night of Hanukkah - when Rep.-elect Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the New York Democrat with a knack for dramatic flourish, told those gathered to light the menorah that her ancestors were Jewish.

‘‘One of the things that we discovered about ourselves is that a very, very long time ago, generations and generations ago, my family consisted of Sephardic Jews,’’ Ocasio-Cortez said. These are Jews who settled in the Middle East, North Africa and southern Europe after the Jewish diaspora. They were expelled from Spain in 1492.

(Excerpt) Read more at bostonglobe.com ...


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Extended News; Government; News/Current Events; US: Massachusetts; US: New York; US: Vermont
KEYWORDS: ancestry; aoc; berniesanders; cortez; dnctalkingpoint; dnctalkingpoints; elizabethwarren; fauxahontas; hanukkah; jewish; joecrowley; massachusetts; newyork; ocasiocortez; slingingbull; vermont
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To: GrandJediMasterYoda

“If you can’t afford something, then pay for it and you can have it”

That must be the economist in her talking...


121 posted on 12/11/2018 9:15:03 AM PST by BeauBo
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To: timestax
Dem-Socialism
122 posted on 12/11/2018 9:38:39 AM PST by timestax
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To: Libloather

Prove it. Go wander in the wilderness for fourty years. Then we’ll talk.


123 posted on 12/11/2018 10:48:14 AM PST by CrazyIvan (A gentleman arms himself for the protection of others.)
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To: The Fop
Could very well be true. There were lots of Jews living in Spain during the Inquisition who converted to Christianity and moved to the New World. That’s why many Hispanics have names like Israel and Emmanuel. Lots of Hispanics who consider themselves to be Catholics light candles on Friday night and don’t eat pork, because that’s what their parents and grandparents did, and they never knew why. Then they found out they had Jewish ancestors.

First part not likely. Note she says And a strong group of people, strong-willed, that were determined to continue living life as they wanted to live it decided to get on a boat and leave Spain Living life as they wanted to live it, it me, means continuing practicing Judaism. Not going to happen in a Spanish colony. As to Jewish traditions passed down as you relate, that's very true, but the reasons were generally unknown to them. Many instances of that in Mexico and the American southwest. There's a Rabbi, Mexico City I believe, who has converted several hundred. But the story isn't like Alexandra's, who seems to contend her ancestors left Spain for Puerto Rico to practice their religion. Other Carribean island, yes. Brazil. Yes, till the Inquisition reached there. Heck, historically she'd be better off claiming descent from Spanish or Portugese Jews who fled to Brazil, then to New York. These are all very interesting stories. However imo her's is BS.

124 posted on 12/11/2018 11:46:51 AM PST by SJackson (The Constitution only gives people the right to pursue happiness. You have to catch it yourself)
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To: colorado tanker
It's possible she had Jewish ancestors who came to the New World. A number of Sephardic Jews became baptized and lived as Christians. A number ended up in New Mexico. Some kept reminders of their past, but well hidden.

You're right, New Mexico being remote from central Mexico. Though not so much in Puerto Rico, the Inquisition was active in Mexico. Out in the boonies like what is now New Mexico, not much of a risk. But her story isn't like many you can easily find of people "finding" centuries old roots through mysterious practices. She says her ancestors moved to Puerto Rico to continue practicing their religion. I don't believe that.

125 posted on 12/11/2018 11:50:43 AM PST by SJackson (The Constitution only gives people the right to pursue happiness. You have to catch it yourself)
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To: Political Junkie Too
Hillary Clinton also suddenly discovered Jewish ancestors when she was running for Senator of New York.

If I recall, a grand step father or something like that. Means nothing, but at least it was true. Like Fred Kohn, John Kerry's grandfather. At least it's factual. Though meaningless.

126 posted on 12/11/2018 11:52:48 AM PST by SJackson (The Constitution only gives people the right to pursue happiness. You have to catch it yourself)
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To: Berosus
In 1999 the Lemba, a small black tribe in Zimbabwe and South Africa that claims Jewish ancestry, submitted to DNA testing, and they have the "Cohanim gene," which so far has only turned up on the Y chromosome of Jewish men from the tribe of Levi. That means the Lemba are not only Jewish, but also Levites, members of the ancient priestly class, so the Israeli government is allowing them to emigrate to Israel.

They undergo conversion first. The genes mean nothing. Alexandria would have to convert first too. Unless she can prove a direct matrilineal line to a Jewish g-g-g-g-g or whatever mother. And that wouldn't be easy.

127 posted on 12/11/2018 11:56:52 AM PST by SJackson (The Constitution only gives people the right to pursue happiness. You have to catch it yourself)
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To: jjotto
Two converts to Judaism could marry and have many children who would be 100% Jewish without having any Jewish DNA at all. And the paternal half of one’s DNA could be ‘Jewish’ without one being a Jew at all.

Exactly. I doubt Sammy Davis Jr. had "Jewish DNA", which is irrelevant.

128 posted on 12/11/2018 11:58:18 AM PST by SJackson (The Constitution only gives people the right to pursue happiness. You have to catch it yourself)
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To: SJackson
She says her ancestors moved to Puerto Rico to continue practicing their religion.

You're right that couldn't have happened anyplace in the Spanish Empire after 1492 until modern times. Either she doesn't want to admit what her ancestors did after the expulsion or she's making it all up.

129 posted on 12/11/2018 12:08:07 PM PST by colorado tanker
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To: Vermont Lt
Being sent to PR from Spain in 1492? That would be akin to being shipped to the moon in November 1969

Pretty much. Columbus' translator, Luis de Torres, is thought to be a converso. As were a couple other crewmembers. Of course Columbus didn't discover Puerto Rico till his second voyage in 1493. And I don't think there were any attempts to settle for 15 or 20 years. So she's off by at least a generation. Great story though.

130 posted on 12/11/2018 12:38:18 PM PST by SJackson (The Constitution only gives people the right to pursue happiness. You have to catch it yourself)
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To: Jewbacca
To my knowledge there hasn’t been a reliable test for Sephardic ancestry that is generally available. Perhaps there is now.

Wouldn't matter anyway, but maybe she'll fund one. She's nuts, but I'll bet she was a good bartender. Good stories. Only a year or so ago


131 posted on 12/11/2018 12:42:08 PM PST by SJackson (The Constitution only gives people the right to pursue happiness. You have to catch it yourself)
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To: BeauBo

Yep, her brilliance is astounding. All this time, all I had to do was pay for the things I can’t afford. 100 room mansion? I just have to pay for it and I can have it. Private jet? I just have to pay for it and I can have it, it doesn’t matter if I can’t afford it, I just have to pay for it and I can have it.


132 posted on 12/11/2018 2:04:41 PM PST by GrandJediMasterYoda (Until Hillary is in jail, equal justice under the law will not exist in the USA)
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To: Libloather
I suppose most Spaniards have a few Jewish and Muslim ancestors.

Maybe Ted Cruz is on deck and warming up for his own discovery.

Many conversos took names like Cruz.

133 posted on 12/11/2018 4:58:25 PM PST by x
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To: Sacajaweau
Big year for Spain.
134 posted on 12/11/2018 6:48:12 PM PST by hinckley buzzard (Power is more often surrendered than seized.)
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To: Libloather

Jews respond: “Haven’t we suffered enough?!”


135 posted on 12/11/2018 6:50:54 PM PST by Pelham (Secure Voter ID. Mexico has it, because unlike us they take voting seriously)
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To: MrEdd

the best humor is to be found at FR


136 posted on 12/11/2018 6:52:11 PM PST by Pelham (Secure Voter ID. Mexico has it, because unlike us they take voting seriously)
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To: cuban leaf
1492 was the year that Isabella required all Jews to either convert to Christianity or be expelled. She treated the Moors the same way, same time. Columbus sailing didn’t even make the headlines.
137 posted on 12/11/2018 6:53:38 PM PST by hinckley buzzard (Power is more often surrendered than seized.)
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To: Libloather
Rep.-elect Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the New York Democrat with a knack for dramatic flourish, told those gathered to light the menorah that her ancestors were Jewish.

Burying the needle in the Chutzpah meter.

138 posted on 12/11/2018 6:55:15 PM PST by ssaftler (From Governor Moon Bat to Governor Gruesome. We're doomed, I tell you!)
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To: Libloather

She's so Jewish she supports Sarsour. More likely she has Moorish ancestry.

139 posted on 12/18/2018 10:35:56 PM PST by BTerclinger (MAGA)
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