Obama Has A Rabbi In The Family

By GottaLaff

I'm kvelling:

Here's something about Barack Obama you probably didn't know: He's related to a rabbi.

His wife's cousin, Rabbi Capers C. Funnye Jr., leads a mostly black Jewish congregation on Chicago's Southwest Side. He is Michelle Obama's first cousin once removed: Her paternal grandfather is the brother of Funnye's mother. [...]

Funnye (pronounced fuh-NAY) says he hasn't been involved in the campaign, except to donate money. But he speaks glowingly about the Obamas.

"I'm very moved and very proud of all they've become so far," the 56-year-old rabbi told The Associated Press.

Oy, what a sheyn ponom. I want to pinch his cheeks!

In childhood, Funnye and Michelle Obama's families visited each other almost monthly. Funnye's mother and Michelle Obama's father, who were closer in age, had a good relationship, Funnye said.

Funnye and Michelle Obama, 44, lost touch in later years, though he attended her wedding in 1992. They reconnected about a decade ago when Funnye started working at a social work organization based near the University of Chicago, where Michelle Obama worked.

Funnye said he met Barack Obama shortly before the future candidate married Michelle.

"He was very caring, a little skinny and very sincere," Funnye said.

The Obamas have not publicized the connection to Funnye out of respect for the privacy of their large extended family, said Katie McCormick Lelyveld, a spokeswoman for Michelle Obama.

Such a mensch.

"It was a total surprise to me," said Ira Forman, the executive director of the National Democratic Jewish Council. "Despite coming under attack unfairly in the Jewish community, Obama didn't even mention this. I think it's a piece of the puzzle that validates him." [...]

In his nearly two decades at Beth Shalom, Funnye has garnered a reputation as a spiritual leader who promotes interfaith dialogues and has worked to unify black and white Jews.

"I believe that all humanity and all faith communities are trying to reach a summit," he said. "The summit is of brotherhood and sisterhood, a summit of equality."

Funnye attended the African Methodist Episcopal Church growing up, then explored a number of other religions before converting. [...]

Since Funnye took over Beth Shalom in 1991, the congregation has more than doubled from 150 members to 350.

A gezunt ahf dein kop!