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Was Alex Trebek Jewish? ‘Jeopardy!’ sure had its moments

Game show host Alex Trebek poses on the set of the "Jeopardy!" Million Dollar Celebrity Invitational Tournament Show Taping on April 17, 2010 in Culver City, California. (Photo: Amanda Edwards/Getty Images)

People are wondering, was the longtime host of Jeopardy! Jewish? The popular gameshow sure had a lot of popular Jewish moments, but what about its host?

No, Trebek is not Jewish. He was raised Catholic growing up in Canada and in 2018 he said that he believed in a Christian god.

However, Jeopardy! has had its fair share of Jewish moments (the answer appeared hundreds of times throughout the show’s history), including its new interim host Mayim Bialik, who identifies as Modern Orthodox.

Here are some of our favorite Alex Trebek Jeopardy! Jewish moments.

What is a schmuck?

In fact they had an entire Yiddish category featuring answers such as:

  • schlock
  • schlemiel and schlemazel
  • schlep
  • nosh/noshing
  • gelt

Where is the Dead Sea?

Filming for a future episode, producers shared this clip of Trebek floating in the Dead Sea.

Charoset, what must it taste like?

Fun fact, the Jewish community in Gibraltar make their charoset with powder made from a family brick.

What is B’nai B’rith?

What is the Mount of Olives?

Rabbi celebrates ordination anniversary

Conservative Rabbi Joyce Newmark, from Teaneck, New Jersey, won $29,200 on the show.

And finally… Mayim Bialik picking up the reins

Bonus clip: Drake on “Black Jeopardy!”

Read more about Drake’s Jewish identity here.

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