Michelle Obama's Chicago Rabbi Cousin

Chicago Sun-Times:

Turns out Barack Obama--who has taken pains to woo Jewish voters and donors--has a prominent rabbi in the family. He's Rabbi Capers Funnye, the leader of a Southwest Side Chicago synagogue, Beth Shalom B'nai Zaken Ethiopian Hebrew Congregation.

Michelle Obama and Funnye are first cousins once removed. They have not been in touch since Sen. Obama has been running for president. The Forward first wrote about Funnye last week and the story was picked up in Haaretz, an Israeli newspaper. Michelle Obama spokesman, Katie McCormick Lelyveld confirmed to the Sun-Times that Funnye and Michelle are cousins. "They're not close," she said.

Read the whole story: Chicago Sun-Times

Comments

[barackobama4prez]

03:21 PM on 09/10/2008

O's family and extended family ARE America. It's truly a refreshing thing that America is so diverse, and that we would finally have a family in the white house who understands that.

[FORLOMC]

12:43 PM on 09/10/2008

Unbelievable. A political family that does not use their relatives as a political prop? The Obama's come out on top of integrity and class once again, unlike McBush and company.
Obama/Biden '08-12'

[thepoliticalcat]

10:45 PM on 09/09/2008

Oh, wow. This is cool! Especially given Paiin's support of anti-$emi tik fundie wingnuts.