Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez reveals Jewish ancestry at Hanukkah celebration

Boston Globe ^ | 12/10/18 | Isaac Stanley-Becker

[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.

[BeauBo]

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

That must be the economist in her talking...

[timestax]

[CrazyIvan]

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

[SJackson]

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.

[SJackson]

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.

[SJackson]

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.

[SJackson]

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.

[SJackson]

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.

[colorado tanker]

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.

[SJackson]

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.

[SJackson]

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

[GrandJediMasterYoda]

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.

[x]

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.

[hinckley buzzard]

Big year for Spain.

[Pelham]

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

[Pelham]

the best humor is to be found at FR

[hinckley buzzard]

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.

[ssaftler]

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.

[BTerclinger]

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