Jewish Traces in Unexpected Places: The Jewish World of Elvis Presley

Elvis and Jews: At first glance these two words may not seem to go together. But the truth is that, despite growing up in a fundamentalist Christian family in the Deep South - an area sometimes known for its anti-Semitism - Elvis Presley nevertheless developed a deep affinity to Jews.

A new book, The Jewish World of Elvis Presley, by Roselle Kline Chartock celebrates Elvis's Jewish roots and the influence of his vast Jewish inner circle that goes back to his days of childhood poverty.

This book contains answers to two questions: What accounted for this deep affinity? And what was the nature of the personal relationships Elvis developed with the Jews he befriended in Memphis - including merchants and members of his inner circle, the Memphis Mafia - and those he met in the music and movie industries? 

Today's video clip of an interview with the author on Israel's i24news reveals a little-known side of this rock 'n' roll icon, including Presley's own Jewish heritage. There is within this book ample evidence that Presley's personality as well as his musical gifts were, in part, shaped by his Jewish world.

Enjoy!

A SPECIAL NOTE FOR NEW EMAIL SUBSCRIBERS:  THE VIDEO MAY NOT BE VIEWABLE DIRECTLY FROM THE EMAIL THAT YOU GET EACH DAY ON SOME COMPUTERS AND TABLETS.  YOU MUST CLICK ON THE TITLE AT THE TOP OF THE EMAIL TO REACH THE JEWISH HUMOR CENTRAL WEBSITE, FROM WHICH YOU CLICK ON THE PLAY BUTTON IN THE VIDEO IMAGE TO START THE VIDEO.

House Speaker Paul Ryan Discovers His Jewish Roots; Stephen Colbert Offers Him Bris

While participating in the taping of an upcoming episode of the PBS show Finding Your Roots, House Speaker Paul Ryan found out that genetic testing confirmed that he is 3% Jewish.

As CNN reported,

The show's host, Henry Louis Gates Jr., shared the Wisconsin Republican's reaction to discovering his roots during a panel on Tuesday.

"You could have knocked him over with a feather and then he was very proud of it," Gates, who also serves as an executive producer on the show, said during the Television Critics Association press tour in Los Angeles. 

A publicist for the show confirmed Gates' comments during the panel, and Ryan's upcoming appearance on the show, in an email to CNN.

"We don't know who that Jewish person was, but we know it was on his mother's German line, which makes sense," Gates continued. "So somebody who was a Christian German slept with a Jewish German person and that's where that came from."

In a tweet on Wednesday, Ryan, who is Catholic, seemingly hinted at finding out about his roots.

 "Guess I need to start saying 'L'Chaim' now, too!" he tweeted, attaching a GIF of himself holding up a drink. He did not reference the show itself in the social media post.

Late night talk show host Stephen Colbert rushed in to offer Ryan a "Bris-Stravaganza" with mohels standing by. Here's the Colbert video clip. Enjoy!

A SPECIAL NOTE FOR NEW EMAIL SUBSCRIBERS:  THE VIDEO MAY NOT BE VIEWABLE DIRECTLY FROM THE EMAIL THAT YOU GET EACH DAY ON SOME COMPUTERS AND TABLETS.  YOU MUST CLICK ON THE TITLE AT THE TOP OF THE EMAIL TO REACH THE JEWISH HUMOR CENTRAL WEBSITE, FROM WHICH YOU CLICK ON THE PLAY BUTTON IN THE VIDEO IMAGE TO START THE VIDEO.