Paterson Reaches Out to Hamptons Jews, May Be One

In his first visit to a synagogue since taking control of the state, Governor Paterson told a crowd of around 1,000 in Westhampton that he supported the Orthodox community's struggle to erect an eruv, a symbolic fence around the synagogue. He then revealed that he felt a special connection with Jewish community not only because of his longtime friendship with Rabbi Marc Schneier, but also because he shares some lineage with them. Paterson told the congregation that a DNA test six months ago revealed that he had "two hits of Jewish origin."

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By Billy Parker in News on August 3, 2008 11:19 AM

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NannyState

Some Chachim he turned out to be.

JMH

Heh. He looks funny with a yarmulke.

matty

Wow I can't type today. Or spell...I hate Mondys.

;D

matty

His dna markesr would see if he was semitic - not jewish.

interlard

So politicians only care about someone if they find out they are related to them? Is the mob back in power? What a shmuck.

rhonda718

Did he learn this before or after Maury told him "You are.... NOT the father." :)

virgil

The religious group vs. ethnic group issue of Jewishness can be confusing, but the basic take is that they've maintained a somewhat distinct dna profile because converting to Judaism is fairly uncommon, and Jews have historically either been kept apart, or kept themselves apart from the communities where they were allowed to live, so there was little interfaith marriage and breeding.

It might make more sense, in fact, to think of them as a genetic group first, since the genetic markers can be there without any belief in the religion.

Okay, learning time's over. Now, back to the exciting conclusion of Wide World Of Trolls..

Cord

"I don't think it's possible to pinpoint a Jewish genome! There are too many different kinds (colors, cultures) of Jews in the world. So that DNA stuff sounds really wrong somehow."

There are genetic markers that point to Jewish lineage. Oddly enough many if not most Palestinian, Lebanese, & Syrian people have these markers but aren't Jews in practice.

cucarachita

Um, how do you have Jewish DNA? Jewishness is a matter of religion, as far as I know. It was theNazis who tried to prove there was something biological about Jewishness, as I recall.

I don't think it's possible to pinpoint a Jewish genome! There are too many different kinds (colors, cultures) of Jews in the world. So that DNA stuff sounds really wrong somehow.

Snoopy

He's got to get rid of the beard. It makes him look weird.

Rfive

stay back shvartze. their hands will be in your pockets soon...

the_lexiphane

As a half-sighted Jewish black man, this is Sammy Davis Jr.'s proudest posthumous moment.

Snoopy

If he could only see how ridiculous he looks with that bra cap on.

Since when did DNA testing include religion in its makeup?

Willly

Stealth Jew and Freemason??? He must be part of the conspiracy to take over the Vatican...

Mr Mel

Don't get too close to us or you'll have 5,000 years of suffering, retroactive, and if that isn't enough, you'll have to eat at home Friday nights.