How Jewish is Michael Rosen?

Poet Michael Rosen, the Children's Laureate, has had his anti-Israel greetings card withdrawn by its publisher following complaints. Rosen? But that's a Jewish name, isn't it?

For:

Yes, both Rosen's parents are Jewish. Not only that, but young Michael was brought in the Jewish Metroland suburb of Pinner. His ancestors were all Jewish immigrants from Poland, Russia and Romania. Rosen went to medical school and was on the verge of becoming a Jewish doctor, noch, when it all went wrong for him - he subsequently went to Oxford to read English. However, his subsequent success as a self-made poet does indicate entrepreneurial skill.

Against:

Rosen's parents Connie and Harold met at the Young Communist League rather than Bnei Akiva, and Rosen was brought up with little in the way of religion. And just ask the Board of Deputies whether he'll be invited over for Friday-night dinner to discuss his anti-Zionism. In the 2004 Greater London Authority elections, he stood for George Galloway's Respect Party, which doesn't even have a Friends of Israel group. However, he denounced Israeli-born anti-Zionist Gilad Atzmon for crossing the line into antisemitism. He is quoted as saying "Zionism not racism? Tut mir eyn feyve [do me a favour]".

Verdict:

Not liking Israel and not being religious may not go down well with many, but Rosen comes from Pinner and nearly became a doctor.

So we say he is 78% Jewish

The series in which we investigate the Semitic qualities (or otherwise) of someone in the news.