Ep 5. Rick Warren, Angela Buchdahl, and Yasir Qadhi

In season 1 episode 5 of Finding Your Roots, hosted by renowned scholar Henry Louis Gates Jr., we explore the family histories of three prominent religious leaders: Pastor Rick Warren, Rabbi Angela Buchdahl, and Imam Yasir Qadhi.

First up is Pastor Rick Warren, the founder and senior pastor of Saddleback Church in Southern California. Gates uncovers Warren's family history, which takes him back to his ancestors in colonial Massachusetts and a surprising connection to one of America's founding fathers. Warren learns about his great-great-grandfather, a Civil War veteran who fought for the Union Army and escaped from a Confederate prisoner of war camp, and another ancestor who was a leading abolitionist in Massachusetts.

Next, we meet Rabbi Angela Buchdahl, the senior rabbi of Manhattan's Central Synagogue and the first Asian-American person to be ordained as a rabbi. Gates delves into Buchdahl's family background, which includes a grandfather who was a prominent Korean independence activist and an aunt who was a leading figure in the feminist movement in South Korea. Gates also reveals some surprising connections to Buchdahl's Jewish heritage, including an ancestor who fled anti-Semitic violence in Russia in the early 20th century and settled in the United States.

Finally, we learn about Imam Yasir Qadhi, a prominent Islamic scholar and teacher based in Texas. Gates uncovers Qadhi's family history, which includes an ancestor who emigrated from India to Saudi Arabia in the 19th century and became a leading scholar of Islamic law. Qadhi also learns about his grandfather, a prominent religious figure in India who was instrumental in the country's independence movement.

Throughout the episode, Gates uses DNA analysis and historical records to uncover new insights into each guest's family history and heritage, revealing the truly global reach of their respective faith traditions. Whether exploring the intersection of faith, identity, and history or unearthing surprising connections between seemingly different cultures and traditions, Finding Your Roots offers a fascinating and deeply personal exploration of the power of genealogy and family history.