Place of Birth: Wayne, Pennsylvania, U.S.

Date of Birth: February 1, 1984

Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish

Abbi Jacobson is an American comedian, writer, actress and illustrator. She is known for co-creating, and co-starring in, the show Broad City, with Ilana Glazer.

Abbi’s paternal grandparents were Jack Jacobson and Estelle Abrams.

Abbi’s maternal grandfather was Henry Mehr (the son of Louis S. Mehr and Rose R. Raeffle). Henry was born in Delaware. Louis was born in Lithuania. Rose was born in Texas, the daughter of R. Raphael and Anna, who were from Germany.

Abbi’s maternal grandmother was Mitzi R. Brody (the daughter of Jacob Brody and Leah Kaplan). Mitzi was born in Pennsylvania. Jacob was born in Russia.

Source: Genealogy of Abbi Jacobson – https://www.geni.com

Photo by Prphotos

Date of Birth: c. 1986

Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish

Jon Bass is an American actor and comedian.

Photo by Prphotos

Birth Name: Ayelet Ben Shaul

Place of Birth: Tel Aviv, Israel

Date of Birth: May 7, 1976

Ethnicity:
*Iraqi Jewish (father)
*Polish Jewish, Romanian Jewish (mother)

Ayelet Shaked is an Israeli politician and computer programmer. A member of The Jewish Home party, she has served in the Knesset, since 2013, and as Justice Minister, since 2015.

Her father is of Iraqi Jewish descent. Her mother’s family were Jews who moved from Poland and Romania to Israel in the 1880s.

Birth Name: Matthew Joseph Cohen

Place of Birth: Miami, Florida, U.S.

Date of Birth: September 28, 1982

Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish

Matt Cohen is an American actor.

Matt is married to actress and singer Mandy Musgrave.

Source: http://www.uexpress.com

Photo by kathclick/Bigstock.com

Birth Name: Jacob Norman Kasdan

Place of Birth: Detroit, Michigan, U.S.

Date of Birth: October 28, 1974

Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish

Jake Kasdan is an American television and film director and actor.

Jake was born in Detroit, Michigan, the son of Meg (Goldman), an actress and writer, and screenwriter Lawrence Kasdan. Jake’s brother, Jon, is also a writer and director. His parents are Jewish.

Jake’s paternal grandfather was Clarence Norman Kasdan/Kusden (the son of Robert Kasdan/Kusden and Mary). Clarence was born in New Jersey, to parents from Russia.

Jake’s paternal grandmother was Sylvia Sarah Landau (the daughter of Leonard Landau and Anna). Sylvia was born in Pennsylvania, to parents from Poland.

Jake’s maternal grandfather was Irving E. Goldman (the son of Harry Goldman and Bertha/Bert Allan). Harry was born in Michigan, to parents from Poland and/or Russia, Hyman L. Goldman, whose father was from Lithuania, and of Ethel “Hattie” Ruth. Bertha was born in New York, to a father from Russia and a mother from Poland.

Jake’s maternal grandmother was Doris Lee Rothberg (the daughter of Jacob “Jack” Rothberg and Marion). Jacob was born in Missouri, to parents from Russia. Marion was born in Missouri, to a father from Hungary and a mother from Missouri.

Sources: Jake’s paternal grandfather, Clarence Kasden/Kusden, on the 1910 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

Jake’s paternal grandfather, Clarence Kasdan/Kusden, on the 1915 New Jersey State Census – https://familysearch.org

Jake’s paternal grandmother, Sylvia Sarah Landau, on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

Genealogy of Jake Kasdan (focusing on his mother’s side) – https://www.geni.com

Obituary of Jake’s maternal grandfather, Irving E. Goldman – http://www.legacy.com

Jake’s maternal great-grandfather, Harry Goldman, on the 1920 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

Jake’s maternal great-grandfather, Jacob “Jack” Rothberg, on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

https://www.newspapers.com

Photo by (Please find a photo on Bigstock.com

Birth Name: Paul Samuel Feig

Place of Birth: Mount Clemens, Michigan, U.S.

Date of Birth: September 17, 1962

Ethnicity:
*Ashkenazi Jewish (father, who converted to Christian Science)
*English, possibly other (mother)

Paul Feig is an American actor, film director, producer, and screenwriter.

Paul is the son of Elaine Elizabeth (Artingstall) and Sanford William Feig.

Paul’s father was raised Jewish. He later converted to Christian Science. Paul’s mother was of English (and possibly other) descent.

Paul’s paternal grandfather was Pesach/Philip Meir/Meyer Feig (the son of Jacob David or Sholom Volfe Feig and Frumet/Frimma Pollak). Pesach was born in Nagy Bocska, Marrmoroz, Hungary (Velykiy Bychkiv, Ukraine). Jacob was the son of Peiszech Majer Feig and Szaszje.

Paul’s paternal grandmother was Chaya/Chaika “Clara” Goldenberg (the daughter of Samuel Goldenberg and Sara/Sarah Heinick/Hajnik/Haynick). Chaya was born in Missouri. Samuel was born in Hungary, the son of Sholom/Shurley Goldenberg and Sizie/Sophia. Sara was born in Romania, the daughter of Shoil/Saul Haynick/Haing and Dobrish/Dora, who was from Russia.

Paul’s maternal grandparents were Samuel Artingstall and Ethel Hinton (the daughter of Ben Whitehead and Elizabeth Henrietta).

Sources: Genealogies of Paul Feig – http://worldconnect.rootsweb.ancestry.com
http://worldconnect.rootsweb.ancestry.com

Paul’s father, Sanford Feig, on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

http://www.theoaklandpress.com

Photo by Prphotos

Place of Birth: Montréal, Québec, Canada

Date of Birth: October 19, 1977

Ethnicity:
*Ashkenazi Jewish (father)
*French-Canadian (mother, who converted to Judaism)

Jason Reitman is a Canadian-American film director, screenwriter, and producer.

Jason was born in Montréal, Québec, the son of film producer Ivan Reitman and actress Geneviève Robert. His sisters are Caroline and Catherine, who is also an actress. They were raised in Los Angeles, California, U.S.

Jason’s father is Jewish; he was originally born in Komárno, Czechoslovakia (now Slovakia), to Slovak Jewish parents. Jason’s mother is French-Canadian; she converted to Judaism upon their marriage.

Jason’s paternal grandparents were Ladislav “Leslie” Reitman (the son of Gustav Reitman and Cecelia/Cecilia Hochberger) and Klara/Clara Raab/Rab. Gustav was the son of Nathan Reitman and Rozalia Hilwerth.

Jason has dual Canadian and American citizenship.

Sources: https://jewishsantabarbara.org
http://camerainthesun.com

Genealogy of Jason Reitman (focusing on his father’s side) – https://www.geni.com

Photo by Prphotos

Place of Birth: Komárno, Czechoslovakia (now Slovakia)

Date of Birth: October 27, 1946

Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish

Ivan Reitman is a Slovak-born Canadian film producer and director.

Ivan was born in Komárno, Czechoslovakia (now Slovakia), the son of Klara/Clara (Raab/Rab) and Ladislav “Leslie” Reitman. He was raised in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Ivan’s parents were both Jewish. Ivan’s mother survived the Auschwitz concentration camp and Ivan’s father was an underground resistance fighter. They moved to Canada in 1950 as refugees.

Ivan is married to French-Canadian actress Geneviève Robert. She converted to Judaism upon their marriage. Their children are Jason Reitman, a film director, Catherine Reitman, an actress, and Caroline.

Ivan’s paternal grandparents were Gustav Reitman (the son of Nathan Reitman and Rozalia Hilwerth) and Cecelia/Cecilia Hochberger.

Sources: http://www.denofgeek.com
https://jewishsantabarbara.org

Genealogy of Ivan Reitman (focusing on his father’s side) – https://www.geni.com

Photo by prphotos

Birth Name: Miriam Ruth Shor

Place of Birth: Hennepin, Minnesota, United States

Date of Birth: July 25, 1971

Ethnicity:
*Ashkenazi Jewish (father)
*Swedish, possibly other (mother)

Miriam Shor is an American film, stage, and television actress.

Miriam was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the daughter of Margaret Lee Anne Forsman and Francis Robert Shor. She has a sister, Molly. Miriam was raised between Turin, Piedmont, Italy, and Detroit, Michigan, U.S. Miriam speaks fluent English and Italian.

Regarding her upbringing, Miriam has stated in an interview:

I like to say I’m Jew-ish, because I’m half Jewish but not really religious, but that’s sort of the culture. I went back and forth between Detroit and Italy when I was growing up. The Southern Christianity is very “other” for me.

Miriam’s paternal grandfather was Martin R. Shor (the son of Samuel Shor and Eva Richman). Samuel was originally from Romania. Eva was born in Russia.

Miriam’s paternal grandmother was Ethel Ziff (the daughter of Frank Ziff and Fannie Shapiro). Frank was originally from Lithuania. Fannie was from Russia.

Sources: Birth record of Miriam Shor – https://familysearch.org

http://www.pr.com

Obituary of Miriam’s uncle (father’s brother), Norman R. Shor – http://www.legacy.com

Miriam’s paternal grandfather, Martin R. Shor, on the 1940 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

Miriam’s paternal grandmother, Ethel Ziff, on the 193o U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

Photo by s_bukley/Bigstock.com

Birth Name: Ann E. Shoket

Place of Birth: Fairless Hills, Pennsylvania, U.S.

Date of Birth: June 16, 1972

Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish

Ann Shoket is an American magazine editor and writer.

Ann is the daughter of Roslyn (Perloff) and Daniel Shoket/Shohet. She has a sister, Abra. Her family is Jewish.

Ann is married to Richard Goozée.

Ann’s paternal grandparents were Abraham Shoket/Shohet and Esther. They were originally from Russia.

Ann’s maternal grandfather was Solomon/Soloman D. Perloff (the son of Max B. Perloff and Flora). Solomon was born in Pennsylvania, to parents from Russia.

Ann’s maternal grandmother was Ida David Rosenberg (the daughter of Nathan Rosenberg and Anna). Ida was also born in Pennsylvania, to parents from Russia.

Sources: Ann’s father, Daniel Shoket/Shohet, on the 1940 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

Ann’s maternal grandfather, Solomon/Soloman D. Perloff, on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

Ann’s maternal grandmother, Ida David Rosenberg, on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

Obituary of Ann’s maternal grandmother, Ida David (Rosenberg) Perloff – http://www.legacy.com

Photo by kathclick/Bigstock.com

Birth Name: Naomi R. Wolf

Place of Birth: San Francisco, California, United States

Date of Birth: November 12, 1962

Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish

Naomi Wolf is an American author, journalist, and former political advisor to Al Gore and Bill Clinton.

Wolf was born in San Francisco, to a Jewish family. Her father is the Romanian-born gothic horror scholar and Yiddish translator Leonard/Ludovic Wolf. Her mother is Deborah Goleman, an anthropologist and author.

Naomi’s paternal grandparents were Joseph Wolf (the son of Mordecai Wolf) and Rose-ita (the daughter of Golda).

Source: https://books.google.com

Birth Name: Alysia Michelle Davis Reiner

Place of Birth: Gainesville, Florida, U.S.

Date of Birth: July 21, 1970

Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish

Alysia Reiner is an American actress and producer. She is married to actor David Alan Basche.

Alysia is the daughter of Gail (Davis) and Charles Alan Reiner. She has a half-sister, Katharine.

Alysia’s paternal grandparents were Jules C. Reiner and Norma Ann Peyser (the daughter of Nat Peyser and Blanche Levy). Nat was born in New York, to a father from Russia and a mother from Germany. Blanche was also born in New York, to parents from Russia.

Alysia’s maternal grandparents were Arnold Davis and Seena R.

Regarding her religious upbringing, she has stated:

In my house growing up, the intellect was God. We were cultural Jews. We ate bagels and lox, matzah and kugel, but we rarely went to temple and but parents didn’t fast or keep Passover. Judaism was the way we stayed connected to family, an excuse to gather, which I loved. At 11 years old when everyone started talking bat mitzvahs and my parents started talking Hebrew School, they couldn’t argue when I said, “I have no desire to do this thing, its all about big parties, materialism, and monetary gifts”.

Sources: Marriage announcement of Alysia Reiner – http://www.nytimes.com

http://www.kveller.com

Obituary of Alysia’s father, Charles Alan Reiner – http://www.nytimes.com

Genealogy of Alysia’s father, Charles Alan Reiner (focusing on his mother’s side) – https://www.ancestry.com

Alysia’s paternal great-grandfather, Nat Peyser, on the 1920 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

Obituary of Alysia’s maternal grandmother, Seena Davis – http://www.legacy.com

Photo by vonora/Bigstock.com

Birth Name: Sasha Meneghel Szafir

Place of Birth: Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Date of Birth: July 28, 1998

Ethnicity: Brazilian (1/2 Jewish, at least 1/16 Italian, Portuguese, likely Polish, possibly other)

Sasha Meneghel is a Brazilian actress, model, and athlete. Sasha is the daughter of Brazilian television presenter Xuxa Meneghel (born Maria da Graça Meneghel) and actor Luciano Szafir (born Luciano Lebelson Szafir).

Sasha’s father is Jewish, and had his Bar Mitzvah ceremony in Israel. His parents have described themselves as Sephardi Jews; some sources, however, state that their ancestors were Polish Jews.

Sasha’s mother has Italian, Portuguese, and likely Polish (and other) ancestry.

Sasha’s paternal grandfather is Gabriel Szafir (the son of Szlama Szafir and Perla).

Sasha’s paternal grandmother is Elizabeth “Beth” Lebelson (the daughter of Israel Lebelson and Chana Landau). Israel was the son of Shlomo Zalmen Leblsohn and Rivka Rochel Frydman. Chana was the daughter of David Landau and Esther, who were born in the Soviet Union.

Sasha’s maternal grandfather was Luiz Floriano Meneghel (the son of Eduardo Meneghel and Carolina Maliska). Eduardo’s father was originally from Imer, in the Autonomous Province of Trento, Italy, and moved to Brazil at the end of the nineteenth century. Carolina’s surname is likely Polish.

Sasha’s maternal grandmother is Alda Flores da Rocha (the daughter of Agenor Flores da Rocha and Olivia Joner). Agenor had Portuguese ancestry. Olivia was possibly of German descent.

Sources: Genealogy of Sasha Meneghel – https://www.geni.com

Genealogy of Sasha’s father, Luciano Szafir (focusing on his mother’s side) – http://geneall.net

Birth certificate of Sasha’s mother, Xuxa Meneghel – https://xuxarainhaencantada.files.wordpress.com

Article about Xuxa’s maternal great-grandmother, Olivia Joner – http://babado.ig.com.br

http://www.worldlibrary.org (in Portuguese)
http://diversao.terra.com.br (in Portuguese)

Birth Name: David Friedman

Place of Birth: New York City, New York, U.S.

Date of Birth: September 25, 1970

Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish

David Benioff is an American novelist, screenwriter, television producer, and director. He is known for being the co-creator and showrunner of HBO series Game of Thrones along with D. B. Weiss.

David is the son of Barbara (Benioff) and Stephen “Steve” Friedman, who was the Chairman of the U.S. President’s Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board, from 2005 to 2009. David has two sisters, Susan and Caroline.

David is married to actress Amanda Peet. Through his mother, David is a distant cousin of entrepreneur and author Marc Benioff.

David’s parents are Jewish. All of his great-grandparents were Jewish immigrants, from Romania, Austria, Russia, and Poland/Germany.

David’s paternal grandfather was Maurice Friedman (the son of Jonas Friedman and Ray). Jonas and Ray were both from Romania.

David’s paternal grandmother was Hilda Kaufman (the daughter of Jacob Kaufman and Clara). Jacob was originally from Romania. Clara was born in Austria.

David’s maternal grandfather was Shim Simon Benioff (the son of Isaac Benioff and Ida Baylis/Bayliss). Isaac and Ida were both born in Russia.

David’s maternal grandmother was Florence Annette Edelson (the daughter of Samuel H. Edelson and Bessie Wender). Samuel and Bessie were both born in either Germany or Poland.

Sources: David’s paternal grandfather, Maurice Friedman, on the 1940 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

Obituary of David’s paternal grandfather, Maurice Friedman –  http://www.nytimes.com

David’s paternal grandmother, Hilda Kaufman, on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

Obituary of David’s paternal grandmother, Hilda (Kaufman) Friedman – http://www.legacy.com

David’s maternal great-grandfather, Isaac Benioff, on the 1910 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

Obituary of David’s maternal grandmother, Florence (Edelson) Benioff – http://www.nytimes.com

Photo by Prphotos

Birth Name: Daniel Brett Weiss

Place of Birth: Chicago, Illinois, U.S.

Date of Birth: April 23, 1971

Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish

D. B. Weiss is an American author, screenwriter, producer, and director. He is known for being the co-creator and showrunner of HBO television series Game of Thrones, along with David Benioff.

D. B. is the son of Laurie K. and Michael R. Weiss. He has been described as having German Jewish ancestry.

Source: http://www.timesofisrael.com

Photo by Prphotos

Birth Name: Sean Perelman

Place of Birth: Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.

Date of Birth: November 2, 1966

Ethnicity:
*Ashkenazi Jewish (father and maternal grandfather)
*German and Irish (maternal grandmother; who likely converted to Judaism)

Sean Kanan is an American actor.

Sean is the son of Michele/Michelle Gail (Keyes) and Dale R. Perelman. Sean’s father is Jewish (with ancestors from Poland and Russia). Sean’s maternal grandfather was of Lithuanian Jewish and Russian Jewish descent, and Sean’s Canadian-born maternal grandmother was of German and Irish descent, and likely converted to Judaism.

Sean’s paternal grandfather was Lawrence Edward Perelman (the son of Jacob Frank Perelman and Susan/Sue/Sadie Rizika/Riziha). Jacob was born in Ohio, to parents from Russia. Susan was born in Russia, to parents from Russia.

Sean’s paternal grandmother was Janice Lenore Sandusky (the daughter of Morris M. Sandusky and Sorley/Sorly Rabinowitz). Sorley was born in Pennsylvania, to parents from Poland.

Sean’s maternal grandfather was Sidney Clifton Katz/Keyes (the son of Abel/Abe Katz and Sarah Green). Abel was born in Skudutiškis, Lithuania. Sarah was born in Wisconsin, to parents from Russia, Isaac Green and Rose Maslon.

Sean’s maternal grandmother was Alma Ida Toeppner (the daughter of William Frederick Toeppner and Mary Alexander Nesbitt). William was born in Canada, to Lutheran parents from Insterburg, East Prussia (now Chernyakhovsk, Kaliningrad Oblast, Russia) and Dorfe Baute, Prussia, Frederick August Toeppner and Josephine Mechefski/Mechefske. Sean’s great-grandmother Mary Alexander was born in Canada, to Irish parents, James George Nesbitt and Elizabeth Victoria Lowe.

Sources: Obituary of Sean’s paternal grandfather, Lawrence Edward Perelman – http://thejewishchronicle.net

Sean’s paternal great-grandfather, Jacob Frank Perelman, on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

Sean’s paternal great-grandmother, Sorley/Sorly (Rabinowitz) Sandusky, on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

Genealogy of Sean’s maternal grandparents, Sidney Clifton Katz/Keyes and Alma Ida Toeppner – http://www.toeppner.ca

Obituary of Sean’s maternal grandmother, Alma (Toeppner) Keyes – http://www.ncnewsonline.com

Information on Sean’s maternal great-great-grandparents, Frederick August Toeppner and Josephine Mechefski/Mechefske – http://www.toeppner.ca

Genealogy of Sean’s maternal great-great-grandparents, James George Nesbitt and Elizabeth Victoria Lowe – http://gw.geneanet.org

https://www.newspapers.com

Photo by Prphotos

Birth Name: Lesli Kay Pushkin

Place of Birth: Charleston, West Virginia, U.S.

Date of Birth: June 13, 1965

Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish

Lesli Kay is an American actress.

Lesli is the daughter of Marsha Albert (born Marsha Harriet Diznoff) and Jack Pushkin. Lesli’s parents are Jewish; she had the first individual bar mitzvah ceremony for a girl in the state of West Virginia, at the age of twelve. She has two brothers, David and Michael.

Lesli’s paternal grandparents were Herman I. Pushkin (the son of Jacob Pushkin and Rebecca Schumann) and Cecelia/Cellia Helen Goldstein (the daughter of Samuel David Goldstein and Lilly/Lillie Cohen). Jacob and Rebecca were both born in Russia. Samuel and Lilly were also from Russia.

Lesli’s maternal grandparents were Alexander/Alex/Alec H. Diznoff (the son of Jake Diznoff and Lena) and Eleanor K. Jake and Lena were from Russia.

Sources: Genealogy of Lesli’s father, Jack Pushkin – https://www.ancestry.com/genealogy/records/jack-pushkin_89673717

Lesli’s paternal grandfather, Herman I. Pushkin, on the 1920 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MNKN-2ZQ

Lesli’s paternal grandmother, Cecelia/Cellia Helen Goldstein, on the 1910 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M21P-GY3

Lesli’s maternal grandfather, Alexander/Alex/Alec H. Diznoff, on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XCH1-CQP

Obituary of Lesli’s maternal grandfather, Alexander/Alex/Alec H. Diznoff – https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/159305212/

Photo by kathclick/Bigstock.com

Birth Name: Luciano Grostein Huck

Place of Birth: São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil

Date of Birth: September 3, 1971

Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish

Luciano Huck is a Brazilian television host, television personality, and entrepreneur. He is the host of the Brazilian television show “Caldeirão do Huck”.

Luciano is the son of Marta Dora (Grostein) and Hermes Marcelo Huck. Both of his parents are Jewish.

His paternal grandparents were Abrão Huck and Perola.

His maternal grandparents were Mauricio Grostein and Matilde Laschover/Laszczower. Mauricio was originally from Ekaterinoslav, Soviet Union (now Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine).

Luciano is married to Brazilian television presenter Angélica Ksyvickis. They have three children.

Sources: http://gshow.globo.com/(in Portuguese)

http://caras.uol.com.br/ (in Portuguese)

Birth Name: Yitzhak Edward Asner

Place of Birth: Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.

Date of Birth: November 15, 1929

Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish

Ed Asner is an American actor, voice actor, and a former president of the Screen Actors Guild.

Ed is the son of Elizabeth “Lizzie” (Seliger) and David Morris Asner. His siblings were Esther, Ben, Labe, and Eva. They were raised Orthodox Jewish in Kansas City, Kansas.

Ed’s father was originally from the village of Nacha, outside Eišiškės, Lithuania. Ed’s mother was born in Russia.

Ed’s paternal grandparents were Aryeh Leib Asner and Beile.

Ed’s maternal grandparents were Harry Seliger and Ettel Tennenbaum (the daughter of Berel Tennenbaum).

Sources: Genealogy of Ed Asner (focusing on his mother’s side) – https://www.geni.com/

http://www.haaretz.com/

Photo by Starfrenzy/Bigstock.com

Birth Name: Robert Frederick Schenkkan, Jr.

Place of Birth: Chapel Hill, North Carolina, U.S.

Date of Birth: March 19, 1953

Ethnicity:

*Ashkenazi Jewish, some Sephardi Jewish (father)

*English, Scottish (mother)

Robert Schenkkan is an American playwright, screenwriter, and actor.

Robert is the son of Jean Gregory (McKenzie) and Robert Frederic “Bob” Schenkkan, Sr. Robert’s nephew (brother’s son) is actor Ben McKenzie.

Robert’s father was from a Dutch Jewish family, and had both Ashkenazi and Sephardi ancestry, including more distant German Jewish, English Jewish, French Jewish, Italian Jewish, and Iranian Jewish, ancestors. He was, however, probably raised Catholic (his own parents, Robert’s paternal grandparents, likely converted from Judaism to Catholicism). Robert’s mother had English and some Scottish roots.

Robert’s patrilineal line can be traced back to Abraham Juda Schenkkan-Levie, who was born, c. 1781, in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, and to Abraham’s parents, Juda Eliaser Levie and Roosje Isaac, who were born in Stuttgart, Germany.

Robert’s paternal grandparents were Jozef/Joseph Schenkkan (the son of Levie Hyman Schenkkan and Roosje Ensel) and Flora/Flortje Josephine/Josefina Van Der Zyl/Zijl (the daughter of John/Izak/Isaac Van Deziel/der Zijl and Anna Eva/Theresia Wolf). Jozef and Flora were originally from Amsterdam, the Netherlands, and were both from Dutch Jewish families (with Ashkenazi, as well as some Sephardi, ancestry). They likely converted to Catholicism.

Robert’s maternal grandparents were Francis “Frank” Clement McKenzie (the son of James E. McKenzie and Mary Anne Dahlia Sizemore) and Alice Bell Beall (the daughter of William Joseph Bell Beall and Georgia Augusta Roberts).

Sources: Obituary of Robert’s father, Robert Frederic “Bob” Schenkkan, Sr. – http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/statesman/obituary.aspx?pid=148529709

Genealogy of Robert’s father, Robert Frederic “Bob” Schenkkan, Sr. – https://www.genealogieonline.nl/en/genealogie-van-raam/I91852.php

Genealogy of Robert’s paternal great-great-grandfather, Hijman Abraham Schenkkan (through Hijman’s brother, Isaac Abraham Schenkkan) (focusing on his own mother’s side) – http://worldconnect.rootsweb.ancestry.com

Photo by kathclick/Bigstock.com