Family ties: Obama counts rabbi among relatives

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.

While Obama has struggled to win over Jewish voters, vigorously defending his support of Israel in Florida and other states with large Jewish populations, he hasn’t mentioned Funnye on the campaign trail.

Funnye 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.

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.

Funnye said he sees the Obamas occasionally at family gatherings. The Obamas have never attended services at the stately tan brick synagogue of the Beth Shalom B’nai Zaken Ethiopian Hebrew Congregation in the city’s Marquette Park neighborhood.  AP

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