Religion: Jewish 
Name: Ruth Messinger
Other Names: Congresswoman Ruth Messinger
Classification:
supporting character
based on a real person
Publisher(s): 
First Appearance: The Incredible Hulk (vol. 2) #256 (Feb. 1981): "Power in the Promised Land!"
Creators: Bill Mantlo, Sal Buscema
Number of Appearances: 4
Occupation: U.S. Representative
Gender: female
Note: voted to discontinue funding of Gamma Base
Interestingly enough, Congresswoman Ruth Messinger (who is presumably Jewish) first appeared in Incredible Hulk #256, which is the very same issue that introduced Sabra. Sabra is perhaps Marvel's most overtly Jewish super-heroine. Although Representative Messinger is an American politician, most of this issue takes place in Israel.
The very next issue of Incredible Hulk featured the Muslim hero Arabian Knight in a story that further explored tensions in the Middle East between Israel and Muslim nations, particularly Egypt.
In 1981, when this story was published, a real person named Ruth Messinger was serving on the New York City Council, representing the 4th District. Ms. Messinger later was the Democratic nominee for New York City mayor. This real-life Ruth Messinger was a prominent leader in the Jewish community and was listed by a New York-based Jewish newspaper on its "Forward Fifty" list of America's most influential Jews. Ms. Messinger's service in the Jewish community includes serving for many years as the CEO of American Jewish World Service.
Incredible Hulk #256 was written by life-long New Yorker (and Brooklynite) Bill Mantlo. It is not unreasonable to speculate that Mantlo based his U.S. Congresswoman character Ruth Messinger on the real-life Ruth Messinger. But we have not yet confirmed this.
The Incredible Hulk
Suggested links for further research about this character and the character's religious affiliation:
- http://www.marvunapp.com/master/mermh.htm
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruth_Messinger
- http://www.marvunapp.com/Appendix3/maxwellgamma.htm
- http://www.marvunapp.com/Appendix3/bowmangamma.htm
- http://marvel.wikia.com/Incredible_Hulk_Vol_1_256
- http://comicbookdb.com/issue.php?ID=18485
- https://www.comics.org/issue/35113/