JTA — We knew it was coming. But it was still glorious. On Tuesday’s season premiere of the PBS series “Finding Your Roots,” Larry David and Bernie Sanders — both Ashkenazi Jews born in New York City — discover they are distantly related cousins.
Even though David leaked the news back in July, it doesn’t detract from the hilarity of watching David and Sanders come to terms with the news.
David, after expressing hope that his about-to-be-revealed cousin is a “good athlete,” shouts “What the hell!”
Sanders, not known to smile or get ruffled too often, throws his hands in the air.
“You’re kidding! Omigod, that is unbelievable,” he exclaims.
Get The Times of Israel's Daily Edition
by email and never miss our top stories
By signing up, you agree to the
terms
The pair’s familial bond was especially surprising, as David had impersonated Sanders on “Saturday Night Live” throughout the presidential campaign last year.
What makes them cousins exactly?
According to host Henry Louis Gates Jr. — he is seen holding up his right hand and declaring, “It’s true!” — they have “long identical stretches” of DNA.
Before the episode aired, PBS gave JTA a sneak preview of Sanders becoming emotional upon learning about a relative who died standing up to the Nazis during World War II.
Is our live election coverage important to you?
Are you relying on The Times of Israel for accurate and timely coverage of the 2026 Israeli election? If so, please join The Times of Israel Community. For as little as $6/month, you will:
- Support our independent journalists who are working around the clock to report political developments as they unfold;
- Read ToI with a clear, ads-free experience on our site, apps and podcasts; and
- Gain access to exclusive content shared only with the ToI Community, including our DocuNation streaming film series and weekly letters from founding editor David Horovitz.
Join The Times of Israel Community
JOIN NOW
Already a member? Sign in to stop seeing this
You're a dedicated reader
We’re really pleased that you’ve read X Times of Israel articles in the past month.
That’s why we started the Times of Israel - to provide discerning readers like you with must-read coverage of Israel and the Jewish world.
So now we have a request. Unlike other news outlets, we haven’t put up a paywall. But as the journalism we do is costly, we invite readers for whom The Times of Israel has become important to help support our work by joining The Times of Israel Community.
For as little as $6 a month you can help support our quality journalism while enjoying The Times of Israel AD-FREE, as well as accessing exclusive content available only to Times of Israel Community members.
Thank you,
David Horovitz, Founding Editor of The Times of Israel
Join Our Community
Join Our Community
Already a member? Sign in to stop seeing this