Jeffrey Mark Paull - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

We in the Polonsky family have a remarkable heritage.

A Noble Heritage: The History and Legacy of the Polonsky and Paull Family in America, Jan 2013

This chapter is dedicated to the memory of Lt. Eugene Victor Erskine

Abstract submitted for presentation at the International Association of Jewish Genealogical Socie... more Abstract submitted for presentation at the International Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies (IAJGS) Conference, in Seattle, WA, August 7-12, 2016.

The frequent adoption of different surnames by individual members of the same family in the Russi... more The frequent adoption of different surnames by individual members of the same family in the Russian Empire during the early part of the 19th century resulted in the creation of numerous family units of related people having different paternal surnames. In addition to the Americanization of Jewish surnames, this may explain, in part, why so many closely-related Ashkenazi Jews with Russian ancestries have completely different surnames. This situation has greatly complicated their efforts to trace their ancestries, or to locate common ancestors with individuals with whom they may be a genetic match.

As a result of Russian surname laws and mandates, many non-related Jewish individuals acquired the same surname, while many related people acquired different surnames. Hence for Ashkenazi Jews of Russian ancestry, surnames may confer very little information regarding kinship. This situation has created many challenges and has placed many brick walls in the path for genealogists who try to trace the ancestry or locate descendants of a particular Jewish lineage, many of whom have different surnames, as well as for interpreting the different results of DNA tests for Jewish descendants, who are assumed to be related because they share a common surname.

The purpose of this article is to pose the question of what the ethical responsibilities of genea... more The purpose of this article is to pose the question of what the ethical responsibilities of genealogical organizations are during the global COVID-19 pandemic. Genealogical organizations are, of course, in the business of genealogy. But, when conducting their genealogy-related business activities, such as planning, sponsoring, and hosting large national and international conferences, a number of ethical questions involving health policy come into play:

Do genealogy organizations have an ethical responsibility to protect the health of their members when such activities may put their members’ health at risk?

Who makes the health policy decisions of whether to hold a large in-person conference, and on what basis are these decisions made?

What are the ethical responsibilities of genealogical organizations to share public health information, and to keep their membership informed of health-related policy decisions on social media?

This article examines these questions, and the ethical responsibilities of genealogical organizations to its members.

American Journal of Industrial Medicine, Mar 1984

American Industrial Hygiene Association Journal, Dec 1985

American Journal of Industrial Medicine, Aug 1986

Current federal regulations do not address non-occupational exposure to asbestos. In the absence ... more Current federal regulations do not address non-occupational exposure to asbestos. In the absence of such regulations, if asbestos-containing materials are present in a building, it is advisable to develop a management program to ensure that the inhalation risk to building occupants does not increase with time and that appropriate steps are taken during activities which have the potential to release asbestos fibers to air. When numerous areas of a building contain asbestos, priorities must be established for selecting and implementing appropriate surveillance or interventions for control. We present a framework for implementing an Asbestos Risk Management Program, the primary objective of which is to minimize the risk of employee and public exposure to asbestos in air. The program includes a decision framework for evaluating and ranking building areas according to the asbestos fiber release potential, and assigns priorities for control interventions. Another decision framework is presented for selecting an air monitoring strategy and for making appropriate decisions based upon measured airborne fiber concentrations.

American Industrial Hygiene Association Journal, May 1987

In order to evaluate the effects of heat stress when full body protective suits are worn, heart r... more In order to evaluate the effects of heat stress when full body protective suits are worn, heart rates, oral temperatures and environmental parameters were measured for five unacclimatized male workers (25-33 years of age) who performed sampling activities during hazardous waste clean-up operations. The protective ensembles included laminated PV C-Tyvec chemical resistant hood suits with rubber boots, gloves, full facepiece dual cartridge respirators and hard hats. For comparison, measurements also were performed when the men worked at a similar level of activity while they wore ordinary work clothes. A comparison of the heart rates for the men working with and without suits indicated that wearing the suits imposed a heat stress equivalent to adding 6 0 to 110 C (11 0 to 20 0 F) to the ambient WBG T index. A similar result was obtained by calculating the WBGT in the microclimate inside the suits and comparing it to the ambient WBGT. These results indicate the following: 1) there exists a significant risk of heat injury during hazardous waste work when full body protective clothing is worn, and 2) threshold limit values for heat stress established by the ACGIH must be lowered substantially before extending them to cover workers under these conditions. 458

American Industrial Hygiene Association Journal, Nov 1988

Journal of Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology, Feb 1991

Doctoral Thesis, The Johns Hopkins University School of Hygiene and Public Health, Department of Health Policy and Management, Baltimore, MD, Apr 1997

Gabriel leaned back in his chair, propped his feet up on the desk, and gazed out his office windo... more Gabriel leaned back in his chair, propped his feet up on the desk, and gazed out his office window. He was off his game today, and didn't have his usual focus. As the Passover holiday approached, he found himself thinking about his complex and contradictory relationship with Judaism.

At the time of its publication, Tiferet Maharal mi-Shpole (The Glory of Rabbi Aryeh Leib of Shpol... more At the time of its publication, Tiferet Maharal mi-Shpole (The Glory of Rabbi Aryeh Leib of Shpola), authored by Rabbi Yehuda Yudel Rosenberg, in 1912, was the sole source for the Shpoler Zeida’s father’s (Rabbi Boruch's) previously unknown “Girondi” surname. It provided no genealogical sources for this information, nor has his surname ever been corroborated, or passed down to his descendants.

After conducting an investigation of census records (revision lists) from the former Russian Empire and a Y-DNA research study of the Shpoler Zeida's patrilineal descendants, the author concludes that Rabbi Boruch's "Gerondi" surname was a fiction that was invented by Rabbi Rosenberg.

One of the most useful, and, perhaps, under-rated genealogical tools to discover new relatives, a... more One of the most useful, and, perhaps, under-rated genealogical tools to discover new relatives, and to build out one’s family tree, is AncestryDNA’s ThruLines™. ThruLines is an innovative discovery tool which shows you how you may be related to your Ancestry autosomal DNA matches. It is based upon the identification of common ancestors that you share with your genetic matches.

In this article, I demonstrate the use of Thrulines using a series of screenshots from one of my family member’s AncestryDNA results. The purpose of this article is to introduce the concept of ThruLines to those who may not be familiar with this extremely useful tool, and to illustrate the basic steps for using it.

This article is about the challenges involved in researching Irish ancestry (e.g., widespread des... more This article is about the challenges involved in researching Irish ancestry (e.g., widespread destruction of genealogical records, limited online access to existing parish records in both America and Ireland, lack of well-documented family trees, common surnames), are very similar to the challenges involved in researching Jewish ancestry.

In researching Irish ancestry, the importance of collaborating with family members, genetic matches, genealogical organizations, and other genealogists and family researchers, cannot be overstated. In keeping with this, I invite all interested readers to share your thoughts, comments, and suggestions for researching Irish ancestry with the author.

I am posting the Preface from our forthcoming book: "The Shpoler Zeida -- The Life Legends and De... more I am posting the Preface from our forthcoming book: "The Shpoler Zeida -- The Life Legends and Descendants of the Grandfather of Shpola." We invite all interested readers, especially descendants of the Shpoler Zeida, to contact us with any questions that you might have about the Shpoler Zeida's family tree, or about the book itself.

What is it about Jewish genealogy that makes it so challenging and difficult? Why do so few Ashk... more What is it about Jewish genealogy that makes it so challenging and difficult? Why do so few Ashkenazi Jews have family trees and paper trails? Are autosomal DNA and Y-DNA tests as useful for tracing Jewish ancestry as for other groups?

As someone who has been successful at tracing his family’s Jewish ancestry back to the Middle Ages, and has conducted numerous Y-DNA studies of rabbinical lineages, while encountering his share of genealogical challenges along the way, I thought that it would be useful to share some of my experiences and insights regarding these very important questions.

In this article, the main factors that are responsible for making Jewish genealogy so challenging are divided into ten main categories: (1) the destruction of Jewish records; (2) the difficulty in finding surviving Jewish documents; (3) language barriers; (4) the history of Jewish surname adoption; (5) the nature of the Jewish surname adoption process; (6) the Americanization of Jewish surnames; (7) Jewish endogamy; (8) the historical lack of family trees and paper trails; (9) the Holocaust; and (10) the Jewish immigrant experience in America.

It is only by fully understanding the challenges, problems, and difficulties faced by Jewish genealogists that effective strategies can be devised to deal with these issues and to find solutions.

Over the past ten years, my research colleagues and I have been conducting pioneering Y-DNA resea... more Over the past ten years, my research colleagues and I have been conducting pioneering Y-DNA research studies which utilize both traditional genealogical and current DNA methods and technology to identify the unique Y-DNA genetic signature and ethnic origin of some of the world’s most esteemed and historically significant rabbinical lineages and dynasties, as well as one of America’s Founding Fathers.

Over the course of conducting these research studies, we have made observations regarding the nature of Y-DNA testing, and how the results of Y-DNA tests compare and vary between individuals and lineages. We have published articles which explain why Y-DNA results and Jewish surnames and paper trails sometimes don’t agree, and how well current models predict the time-to-most recent common ancestor (TMRCA).

Like most scientific endeavors, genetic genealogy research is ongoing; it never truly “arrives” at an ultimate destination. Over the past ten years, it has been our policy to publish our significant research findings in “pre-publication draft” form, to make the genetic genealogy community aware of new research findings as expeditiously as possible, and to encourage further research efforts.

In keeping with this long-standing policy, this research paper presents a potentially significant new finding regarding the results of Y-DNA testing, and how the typical number of genetic matches reported varies between Jewish and non-Jewish populations.

The most recent draft was posted 1 January 2020. Be sure to check back frequently for updates.

We previously conducted a Y-DNA research study of the Savran-Bendery Chassidic dynasty, in which ... more We previously conducted a Y-DNA research study of the Savran-Bendery Chassidic dynasty, in which we identified the Y-DNA genetic signature of the Wertheim-Giterman rabbinical lineage.

Subsequent to the completion of this study, we tested several pedigreed descendants of the Savran-Hager dynasty, which claims patrilineal (son-after-son) descent from the Giterman rabbinical lineage. Their unexpected Y-DNA results caused us to take a closer look at the Savran-Hager lineage, in order to determine whether there was an error or omission in the paper trail, and to identify the source of the error, if possible.

The Y-DNA evidence, taken together with the genealogical evidence, effectively rules out the possibility that the Savran-Hager dynasty patrilineally descends from the Savran-Bendery (Wertheim-Giterman) Chassidic dynasty.

The purpose of this article is to summarize the progress made on the Baal Shem Tov Y-DNA research... more The purpose of this article is to summarize the progress made on the Baal Shem Tov Y-DNA research study. It presents our current understanding of one of the lineages descending from the Baal Shem Tov, the Vulis family, based upon our review of traditional rabbinical sources, our research of census documents, and our efforts to validate that lineage via Y-DNA testing. We have utilized the same approach to validate the lines of descent and identify the unique Y-DNA genetic signature of many rabbinical lineages and dynasties.

For centuries, Jews have sought their yichus by connecting themselves to rabbinical families, eit... more For centuries, Jews have sought their yichus by connecting themselves to rabbinical families, either through marriage or by a paper trail. Thanks to recent advances in genetic genealogy and DNA technology, this is now possible to do for many more individuals of Jewish descent than ever before.

For a little over ten years now, my research team and I, have been conducting Y-DNA research studies which utilize both traditional genealogical and current DNA methods and technology to identify the unique Y-DNA genetic signature and ethnic origin of some of the world’s most esteemed and historically significant rabbinical lineages and dynasties. These include the Katzenellenbogen, Lurie, Polonsky, Rappaport-Cohen, and Shapiro rabbinical lineages, and the Twersky and Wertheim-Giterman Chassidic dynasties.

We have also conducted Y-DNA research studies on lineages descending from such luminaries and tzaddiks as the Baal Shem Tov, Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berdichev, Rabbi Naftula Cohen of Belaya Tzerkov, Rabbi Raphael of Bershad, Rabbi Yechiel Michel of Zlatchov, Rabbi Yehuda Heller-Kahana of Sighet, and the Shpoler Zeida.

The goal of our rabbinical heritage Y-DNA research studies is to identify the Y-DNA genetic signatures of some of Jewry’s most renowned tzaddiks and rabbinical families. We accomplish this by finding and testing pedigreed patrilineal descendants of these rabbinical families; if their Y-DNA genetically matches, it confirms their paper trail and provides the unique Y-DNA genetic signature for their lineage.

Anyone who matches one of these Y-DNA genetic signatures shares a common paternal ancestor with these pedigreed rabbinical descendants. Identifying that common ancestor would enable one to link to a pedigree and paper trail that may be many centuries old, and to rediscover their family’s lost Jewish heritage.

In this review article, I explain the importance of rabbinical heritage research studies to the practice of Jewish genealogy and present an overview of some interesting findings and observations drawn from our Y-DNA research studies of thirteen rabbinical lineages and dynasties, including the defining haplogroup and subclade that is associated with the Y-DNA genetic signature for each of these lineages.

This personal memoir contains an astonishing genealogical discovery about my grandmother's ancest... more This personal memoir contains an astonishing genealogical discovery about my grandmother's ancestry, that was made possible through a combination of traditional genealogical research and Y-DNA technology. The results demonstrate what a powerful tool Y-DNA can be for connecting previously unknown rabbinical descendants to well-documented ancestral lineages.

The goal of this Y-DNA research study is to utilize both traditional genealogical and current DNA... more The goal of this Y-DNA research study is to utilize both traditional genealogical and current DNA methods and technology to identify the unique Y-DNA genetic signature of the renowned Shapiro rabbinical lineage descending from Rabbi Pinchas Shapira of Korets (1726-1791).

Traditional genealogical methods provided the foundation for our study. We researched the history and genealogy of the Shapiro rabbinical lineage, and we identified and tested three pedigreed patrilineal descendants of three different sons of Rabbi Pinchas Shapira of Korets. We then utilized genetic genealogical methods to compare the Y-DNA genetic profiles of these three pedigreed descendants.

We initially determined that all three descendants genetically matched at 37 short tandem repeat (STR) markers. Their lineage-specific haplotype, in conjunction with their G-M201 haplogroup/G-FGC1160 subclade designation, comprises the Y-DNA genetic signature of their patrilineal line, back to their most recent common ancestor, Rabbi Pinchas Shapira of Korets.

Next steps in the research study include upgrading the Y-DNA analysis to 67 STR markers, and additional single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping through the Family Tree DNA Big Y-500 test.

This Y-DNA research study validates historical lines of descent from the Shapiro rabbinical lineage using genealogical research methods, establishes a Y-DNA genetic signature that can be utilized to identify previously unknown or unrecognized descendants of the lineage, and demonstrates a pioneering methodology that can be applied to studies of other rabbinical lineages and their descendants.

If you believe that you are a patrilineal descendant of Rabbi Pinchas Shapira of Korets, or the Shapiro rabbinical lineage/dynasty, and you wish to participate in this Y-DNA research study, please contact the first author, Dr. Jeffrey Mark Paull, at nobleheritage@msn.com.

John Hart, the 13 th Signer of the Declaration of Independence, had many descendants, my sons, Ju... more John Hart, the 13 th Signer of the Declaration of Independence, had many descendants, my sons, Justin and Joshua, having the honor of being among them. Their provenance is by virtue of my wife being a 6th-greatgranddaughter of John Hart. Undoubtedly, this is what ignited my passion for researching the history and genealogy of this fascinating patriot ancestor and American Founding Father.

We examined how reported autosomal DNA test values, such as the size and number of shared DNA seg... more We examined how reported autosomal DNA test values, such as the size and number of shared DNA segments, the number of genetic matches, and the distribution of predicted relationships, varied between study groups. The study also investigated how shared autosomal DNA and longest block values varied by strength-of-relationship for each study group and examined the differences between expected and observed shared autosomal DNA values for each study group.

During the period when Chassidic Judaism was still in its infancy, Rabbi Raphael of Bershad (c... more During the period when Chassidic Judaism was still in its infancy, Rabbi Raphael of Bershad (c. 1751–1827) was a charismatic figure who was revered by his followers in the region that is now southwestern and central Ukraine. Rabbi Raphael was a beloved and influential spiritual leader and was known as a tzaddik. After the death of his mentor, Rabbi Pinchas (Shapira) of Koretz (1726–1791), some of his followers became Rabbi Raphael’s disciples and were known as Bershad Chassidim.

We succeeded in identifying four pedigreed descendants of Rabbi Raphael. We also succeeded in identifying one partially pedigreed descendant, and several possible patrilineal descendants of Rabbi Raphael. The genealogical records for the partially pedigreed descendant were fragmentary and incomplete, but the naming pattern and available records enabled us to construct a family tree showing a hypothesized line of descent.

In this pioneering Y-DNA research study, we succeeded in identifying the Y-DNA genetic signature and ethnic origin of Rabbi Raphael’s paternal lineage. Our study demonstrates the usefulness of identifying the Y-DNA genetic signature of a rabbinical line, and for verifying descent from that line, despite having fragmentary and incomplete genealogical records.

Avotaynu Online, 2017

The Twersky Chassidic dynasty, founded by Grand Rabbi Menachem Nachum Twersky (1730 – 1797), prod... more The Twersky Chassidic dynasty, founded by Grand Rabbi Menachem Nachum Twersky (1730 – 1797), produced a long line of distinguished rabbis and notable personalities over the centuries. The dynasty is tightly interwoven with many of the most renowned Ashkenazi rabbinic families of Europe, and has many tens of thousands of descendants throughout the world.

Extensive genealogical research of the Twersky family laid the necessary groundwork for identification of eight son-after-son descendants of the Twersky Chassidic dynasty for this Y-DNA study.

Based upon the matching Y-DNA results of these eight pedigreed paternal descendants, we have succeeded in identifying the haplotype and haplogroup that characterizes the Y-DNA signature of the Twersky Chassidic dynasty, back to their most recent common ancestor, and founder of the lineage, Grand Rabbi Menachem Nachum Twersky (1730–1797). An unexpected finding of this research is that the Twersky Chassidic dynasty has a Sephardic ethnic origin.

With the successful identification and characterization of the Y-DNA genetic signature of the Twersky Chassidic dynasty, we hope to enable many current and future generations of Jewish descendants to connect themselves and their families to this illustrious rabbinical lineage, and to discover their remarkable lost heritage.

Y-DNA analysis has proven to be a valuable tool in the genealogical research of Jewish paternal l... more Y-DNA analysis has proven to be a valuable tool in the genealogical research of Jewish paternal lineages. In our research, we have used it to validate the paper trail of pedigreed rabbinical descendants and identify the Y-DNA genetic signature of many different rabbinical lineages.

However, sometimes Y-DNA results for Jewish descendants who share the same surname do not match, even though their paper trails indicate descent from the same common ancestor.

What happens when Y-DNA testing does not validate the paper trail? What are the possible reasons for these confounding and unexpected results? The purpose of this article is to explain some of the major reasons why Y-DNA and yichus sometimes tell different stories.

In this article, we explain:

• The meaning and significance of the term yichus to Jewish genealogy,

• The process for identifying the Y-DNA genetic signature for a rabbinical lineage,

• How we determine whether Y-DNA results prove or disprove patrilineal yichus, and

• The major reasons why Y-DNA and yichus sometimes tell different stories.

The goal of this Y-DNA research study is to utilize traditional genealogical methods and current... more The goal of this Y-DNA research study is to utilize traditional genealogical methods and current DNA methods and technology to identify the unique Y-DNA genetic signature of John Hart, the thirteenth signer of the Declaration of Independence, and an American Founding Father.

Traditional genealogical methods provided the foundation for our study. We researched the history and genealogy of the family of John Hart, and we identified and located six pedigreed descendants of his patrilineal lineage, including four son-after-son descendants of three of his sons, and two son-after-son descendants of his paternal uncle.

We then utilized genetic genealogical methods to compare the Y-DNA genetic profiles of these six pedigreed descendants. We determined that they all genetically matched each other at both 37 and 67 STR markers. Their lineage-specific haplotype was unique to the point that they had no other genetic matches at 67 STR markers, other than their fellow pedigreed Hart descendants.

Based on the results of SNP genotyping through FTDNA’s “Big Y” test, we established their haplogroup/subclade designation, which, in conjunction with their lineage-specific haplotype, comprises the Y-DNA genetic signature of their patrilineal line, back to their most recent common ancestor, the grandfather of John Hart the Signer.

This report of the Y-DNA genetic signature of one of America’s Founding Fathers proves historic lines of descent using genealogical research methods, establishes a Y-DNA genetic signature that can be utilized to identify previously unknown or unrecognized descendants, and demonstrates a pioneering methodology that can be applied to studies of other historical figures and their descendants.

Revised November 23, 2018

Avotaynu Online, Nov 20, 2016

The authors have considerable experience conducting DNA lineage studies, with a focus on Y-DNA st... more The authors have considerable experience conducting DNA lineage studies, with a focus on Y-DNA studies of the world’s historic rabbinical lineages. Each of these studies presents its own unique challenges. Two of the more challenging aspects that are common to all such studies are the difficulty in finding pedigreed descendants of a rabbinical lineage, and then, once they are identified and located, convincing them to take a DNA test.

In this article, we shall focus on the some of the difficulties that we have encountered in convincing pedigreed descendants to agree to take a DNA test, the predominant reasons why they are reluctant or refuse to test, and some of the strategies that we have found effective in dealing with these difficulties and in encouraging them to test.

R' Yehuda Leib of Shpola (c. 1725–1811), better known as the Shpoler Zeida (Yiddish for “Grandfa... more R' Yehuda Leib of Shpola (c. 1725–1811), better known as the Shpoler Zeida (Yiddish for “Grandfather of Shpola”) or Saba Kadisha (Hebrew for “Holy Grandfather”), was a beloved Chassidic folk rebbe, great kabbalist, and a revered tzaddik (saintly or holy man) about whom many Jewish folk tales, stories, and legends abound. He was a first-generation disciple of the Baal Shem Tov. His mentors were Rabbi Pinchas Shapira of Korets and Rabbi Yaakov Yosef of Polonnoye.

The Shpoler Zeida died in 1811; he outlived his mentor, Rabbi Pinchas Shapira of Korets, by twenty years and the Baal Shem Tov by fifty years, but their teachings and beliefs were inextricably intertwined. He was such a beloved and revered tzaddik that Chassidic Jews make frequent pilgrimages to his gravesite, and annual seudas (memorial dinners) are still held in his honor on the 19th day of Shvat by his descendants all around the world. His fame lives on in popular culture, and there is even a Facebook site dedicated to him.

The Shpoler Zeida was a leader of the early Chassidic movement, and the reverberations of his life and teachings are still being felt today. And yet, there is little in the way of tangible evidence of his existence. He founded no rabbinical dynasty, he left behind no writings, and there are no known portraits of him. The Shpoler Zeida did, however, leave an extremely valuable and rare gift behind – his DNA.

The Shpoler Zeida touched the world and left his genetic imprint on it. In this new update to our original Y-DNA research study, conducted in 2016, we focus on identifying the Y-DNA genetic signature of the Shpoler Zeida through Y-DNA testing of four pedigreed patrilineal descendants of the Shpoler Zeida, employing FTDNA's Big Y-700 test.

Update: This book has been renamed: "The Shpoler Zeida -- The Life, Legends, and Descendants of the Grandfather of Shpola." It is scheduled for publication in 2023.

Presented at the 35th IAJGS International Conference on Jewish Genealogy in Jerusalem, Israel, Ju... more Presented at the 35th IAJGS International Conference on Jewish Genealogy in Jerusalem, Israel, July 9, 2015.

This report contains our Genetic Genealogy Research Project Calendar. This project calendar prov... more This report contains our Genetic Genealogy Research Project Calendar. This project calendar provides a complete list of completed and published genetic genealogy research projects through 2024 and a list of projects currently underway and planned for publication.

I wish to thank our many dedicated readers worldwide for their continued interest in our genetic genealogy, family research, and Y-DNA research studies. As our readership on Academia.edu grows, it is beneficial to elicit feedback from our readers regarding our current and future planned research.

As part of our ongoing research of rabbinical lineages, we are continually identifying new descendants, finding new documents, and evaluating new Y-DNA test results. Whether you are a genetic genealogy researcher, a pedigreed descendant of a rabbinical lineage, or simply interested in our research and would like to express your thoughts, comments, or questions regarding any of our current or future studies, I invite you to contact us at jmpaull@anobleheritage.com.

In this first issue of The Shpoler Zeida Newsletter, we thought we would share a behind-the-scene... more In this first issue of The Shpoler Zeida Newsletter, we thought we would share a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the new book that we are working on, entitled: "The Shpoler Zeida -- The Life, Legends, and Descendants of the Grandfather of Shpola."

If you have any questions or would like to be placed on my mailing list for future research and publications, please email me at: jmpaull@anobleheritage.com or visit my website: www.anobleheritage.com.

In this second issue of The Shpoler Zeida Newsletter, we share an in-depth look at how we broke t... more In this second issue of The Shpoler Zeida Newsletter, we share an in-depth look at how we broke through genealogical brick walls to rediscover the proud Jewish heritage of twelve mystery families.

In this issue of The Shpoler Zeida Newsletter, we provide several chapter previews from our forth... more In this issue of The Shpoler Zeida Newsletter, we provide several chapter previews from our forthcoming book: "The Shpoler Zeida -- The Life, Legends, and Descendants of the Grandfather of Shpola."

This issue includes a preview of our chapter entitled: "Mysteries of the Shpoler Zeida's Family," and explains how we researched the genealogical puzzle of how fourteen "mystery" families descend from the Shpoler Zeida. It also includes previews of our chapters: "Faces of the Shpoler Zeida's Descendants," "The Shpoler Zeida's Y-DNA Genetic Signature," and "The Shpoler Zeida's Family Tree."

In this article, I share my experiences touring the Jewish Quarter of Prague, and what I learned ... more In this article, I share my experiences touring the Jewish Quarter of Prague, and what I learned about its history.

Avotaynu Online, 2019

Rabbi Meir Katzenellenbogen, the Maharam of Padua, remains an influential religious and historica... more Rabbi Meir Katzenellenbogen, the Maharam of Padua, remains an influential religious and historical figure both for his contributions to Talmudic and rabbinical interpretation and for his role as the father of several noteworthy rabbinical lineages. Jewish genealogists as well as descendants of the Katzenellenbogen lineage have long attempted to account for over 500 years of progeny amidst the tumultuous history of exile and diaspora of the Jewish people. The information is fractured, but as research improves, gaps in the pedigrees are gradually filled in.

One recent innovation that has bridged many of these gaps and confirmed conclusions drawn from oral accounts is genetic genealogy. A 2016 pioneering research study conducted by Drs. Jeffrey Mark Paull, Neil Rosenstein, and Jeffrey Briskman, utilizes Y-DNA testing in conjunction with existent family pedigrees, oral histories, and historical migration patterns, to conclude that the Katzenellenbogen lineage is of Sephardic origin.

While DNA evidence has proved an essential scientific tool to uncovering the past, mistrust in genetic genealogy persists, and it is necessary to reinforce genetic discoveries with more traditional evidence. Rabbi Katzenellenbogen’s published writings demonstrate a distinct Sephardic influence. This study seeks to utilize his works to provide literary and historical evidence for the conclusion genetic data has already uncovered: that the ancestry and therefore the lineage of Rabbi Meir Katzenellenbogen is of Sephardic origin.

The following genealogical study -- a culmination of the author’s more than 30 years of research ... more The following genealogical study -- a culmination of the author’s more than 30 years of research spanning 31 countries -- is the first surname study of a Chassidic dynasty which reconstructs the genealogical lines bearing its surname.

The Twersky Family is known as the most prolific Chassidic dynasty in the world. In addition to present-day Grand Rabbis, Twersky descendants have made their mark in professions including, but not limited to, academia, medicine, law, and business. In rabbinic, Chassidic, and genealogical circles, it is generally presumed that all Twerskys are related and descend, in one way or another, from Grand Rabbi Menachem Nachum Twersky (1730–1797) of Chernobyl, Ukraine.

But is this presumption correct? What of Twerskys who are unaware of their lineage, and countless others who, at first glance, bear no links to the family tree of the Twersky Chassidic Dynasty? It is these questions that the author will address in this study.

When Yitzchok Meir Twersky, then a young student, decided to research his family genealogy, he di... more When Yitzchok Meir Twersky, then a young student, decided to research his family genealogy, he didn’t foresee that he was beginning a three-decade long journey during which he would discover some 50,000 cousins and publish numerous books on the history and genealogy of the Twersky Chassidic dynasty.

Nor did he think that it would lead him to co-author an unprecedented study that would combine centuries old archival records and state-of-the-art DNA testing to try to figure out who among the countless Twerskys trace their patrilineal lineage directly to the Meor Einayim, Harav Menachem Nachum, the first Rebbe of Chernobyl, who was a disciple of the Baal Shem Tov, and make an incredible discovery in the process.

The fascinating story of how this unprecedented genealogical study to identify the Y-DNA genetic signature of the Twersky Chassidic Dynasty came about, contains an interview with the lead author of the study, Dr. Jeffrey Mark Paull.

If you are a Jewish genealogist, chances are you have encountered the dreaded brick wall – the se... more If you are a Jewish genealogist, chances are you have encountered the dreaded brick wall – the seemingly impenetrable barrier beyond which lie untold generations of unknown ancestors who represent a proud Jewish heritage that has become shrouded in mystery.

As Jewish genealogical researchers, we wondered what it would be like if we tried to surmount some of these brick walls. Could it be done, and if so, how? We decided to embark on such a research project by focusing on fifteen "Mystery Families" who all shared one thing in common – they all claimed descent from Yehuda Leib of Shpola, better known as the Shpoler Zeida, a revered 18th-century tzaddik and early Chassidic leader in the Russian Empire.

The traditional genealogical research methods employed, combined with modern genetic genealogy techniques, and the many lessons learned through the research of these fifteen mystery families, representing hundreds of Jewish surnames and lines of descent, are universal in nature and have widespread applicability to Jewish genealogy. For this reason, we are making this invaluable information available to the wider Jewish genealogical community.

The following article is an excerpt from a chapter of our forthcoming book: "The Shpoler Zeida – ... more The following article is an excerpt from a chapter of our forthcoming book: "The Shpoler Zeida – The Life, Legends, and Descendants of the Grandfather of Shpola." The chapter is entitled: "Mysteries of the Shpoler Zeida Family."

Our decade-long genealogical research has been a dedicated pursuit to construct a family tree for a figure of profound importance in Chassidic history. This individual, born three centuries ago, is Yehuda Leib of Shpola (c. 1725–1811), a revered tzaddik known as the Saba Kadisha (Hebrew for “Holy Grandfather”) or the Shpoler Zeida (Yiddish for “Grandfather of Shpola”). His influence and teachings have left an indelible mark on Chassidic history, making our research all the more significant.

Our research has led us to identify over 5,500 descendants of the Shpoler Zeida. However, our journey was not without its share of enigmas and complexities. The intricate web of family connections, the gaps in historical records, and the challenge of verifying oral histories have all contributed to the depth and complexity of our research.

A particularly intriguing challenge was the discovery of fifteen families who claimed descent from the Shpoler Zeida, yet the specifics of their lineage remained unknown. This lack of documentation has veiled their proud heritage in a cloak of uncertainty, shrouding their connection to the Shpoler Zeida in mystery. As their lines of descent from the Shpoler Zeida were unknown, we have come to refer to them as the “Mystery Families.”

This article delves into the intriguing mystery of the Beletsky family (including the Belasco, Bell, Bruskin, Gellard, Goldberg, and Polis branches), who claim descent from the Shpoler Zeida. The mystery involves how their earliest known Beletsky ancestor, Leiba Beletsky (1782–1846), and his wife, Risya (1789–bef. 1848), are connected to the Shpoler Zeida.

In this comprehensive research study on the Beletsky family's descent from the Shpoler Zeida, we painstakingly traced family records, cross-referencing them with historical documents and oral histories. We believe that the available historical and genealogical evidence is sufficient to support the Beletsky family’s plausible line of descent from the Shpoler Zeida through his son Yaakov and the marriage of Yaakov’s daughter Risya to Leiba Beletsky and to connect them to the Shpoler Zeida family tree.

This article focuses on the Finkelstein family, who claims descent from the Shpoler Zeida. The mystery involves how their earliest known Finkelstein ancestor, Moshko Finkelshtein (born c. 1824), and his wife, Ruchlya (born c. 1827), are connected to the Shpoler Zeida.

In this comprehensive research study on the Finkelstein family's descent from the Shpoler Zeida, we painstakingly traced family records, cross-referencing them with historical documents and oral histories. We believe that the available historical and genealogical evidence supports the Finkelstein family’s plausible line of descent from the Shpoler Zeida through his great-granddaughter, Ruchlya.

This article delves into the intriguing mystery of the Greenberg family, who claims descent from the Shpoler Zeida. The mystery involves how their earliest known Greenberg ancestor, Rabbi Dov Ber Greenberg (born bet. 1814–1818; d. 1874), and his wife, Nechama (born bet. 1816–1819), are connected to the Shpoler Zeida.

In this comprehensive research study on the Greenberg family's descent from the Shpoler Zeida, we painstakingly traced family records, cross-referencing them with historical documents and oral histories. We believe that the available historical and genealogical evidence supports the Greenberg family’s plausible line of descent from the Shpoler Zeida through his great-granddaughter, who married Rabbi Dov Ber Greenberg.

This article delves into the intriguing mystery of the Landau family (including the Agassi, Finkelstein, Gutman, Kreiter, Nahir, and Prywes branches), who claim descent from the Shpoler Zeida. The mystery involves how their earliest known Landa ancestor, Rabbi Yitzhak ha-Levi (born c.1787), and his wife, Chana, are connected to the Shpoler Zeida.

Taking the Landau family’s claim of descent from the Shpoler Zeida at face value, there are major data gaps and uncertainties in their line of descent, with at least one unknown ancestor or missing generation in the early part of their lineage. Hence, the Landau family’s line of descent from the Shpoler Zeida will remain uncertain until additional evidence from historical/genealogical documents can be found that elucidates their line of descent from the Shpoler Zeida.

We present what is known about the Landau family’s lineage and reconstruct their line of descent to the best of our ability. We aim to make this information more widely available in the hope that it will lead to the discovery of a crucial piece of evidence that confirms their line of descent from the Shpoler Zeida.

Through our research, we have identified over 5,500 descendants of the Shpoler Zeida. However, our journey was not without its share of enigmas and complexities. The intricate web of family connections, the gaps in historical records, and the challenge of verifying oral histories have all contributed to the depth and complexity of our research.

This article delves into the intriguing mystery of the Lehr family (including the Elifort, Freundlich, Gefter, Graham, Murphy, Rabinovich, Schliffer, Weiss, and Zadeh branches), who claim descent from the Shpoler Zeida. The mystery involves how their earliest known Zeida ancestor, Gregory (Tzvi) Marinovsky (c. 1887–1953), whose birth name was Avraham Zeida, is connected to the Shpoler Zeida.

In this comprehensive research study on the Lehr family's descent from the Shpoler Zeida, we painstakingly traced family records, cross-referencing them with historical documents and oral histories. We also conducted Y-DNA testing to confirm biological relationships. This multi-faceted approach ensured the validity and reliability of our findings.

The available historical and genealogical evidence is sufficient to prove the Lehr family’s line of descent from the Shpoler Zeida through one of the Shpoler Zeida’s previously unknown daughters, Etya, and her husband, Shmuel.

This article delves into the intriguing mystery of the Nemoy family (including the Horowitz and Magid families), who claim descent from the Shpoler Zeida. The mystery involves how their earliest known Zeida ancestor, Pesya Riva (b. 1814), is connected to the Shpoler Zeida.

Taking the Nemoy family’s claim of descent from the Shpoler Zeida at face value, there are major data gaps and uncertainties in their line of descent, with several unknown ancestors or missing generations in the early part of their lineage. Hence, the Nemoy family’s line of descent from the Shpoler Zeida will remain uncertain until additional evidence from historical/genealogical documents can be found that elucidates their line of descent from the Shpoler Zeida.

We present what is known about the Nemoy family’s lineage and reconstruct their line of descent to the best of our ability. We aim to make this information more widely available in the hope that it will lead to the discovery of a crucial piece of evidence that confirms their line of descent from the Shpoler Zeida.

This article focuses on the Podgarsky family ((including the Lev-Tov, Malobrodsky, and Shamir branches), who claim descent from the Shpoler Zeida. The mystery involves how their earliest known Podgarsky ancestor, Aharon Podgarsky (1880–1945), and his wife, Chaya Leya Branivsky (c. 1880–1960), are connected to the Shpoler Zeida.

Taking the Podgarsky family’s claim of descent from the Shpoler Zeida at face value, there are major data gaps and uncertainties in their line of descent, with several unknown ancestors or missing generations in the early part of their lineage. Hence, the Podgarsky family’s line of descent from the Shpoler Zeida will remain uncertain until additional evidence from historical/genealogical documents can be found that elucidates their line of descent from the Shpoler Zeida.

We present what is known about the Podgarsky family’s lineage and reconstruct their line of descent to the extent possible. We aim to make this information more widely available in the hope that it will lead to the discovery of a crucial piece of evidence that confirms their line of descent from the Shpoler Zeida.

This article delves into the intriguing mystery of the Polonsky family (including the Abrams, Adler, Ballon, Berman, Biggin, Blumenreich, Bridges, Carevic, Carter, Chaber, Cohen, Erskine, Frank, Hastings, Heimowitz, Hoop, Irwin, Kennedy, Kraus, Lawrence, Levine, Malone, Mann, Paulen, Paull, Polan, Press, Reed, Robbins, Santorelli, Saraven, Steinmetz, and Whaley branches), who claim descent from the Shpoler Zeida. The mystery involves how their earliest known Zeida ancestor, Pesya Branya Zeida (b. 1840), is connected to the Shpoler Zeida.

In this comprehensive research study on the Polonsky family's descent from the Shpoler Zeida, we painstakingly traced family records, cross-referencing them with historical documents and oral histories. We also conducted Y-DNA testing to confirm biological relationships. This multi-faceted approach ensured the validity and reliability of our findings.

The available historical and genealogical evidence is sufficient to prove the Polonsky family’s line of descent from the Shpoler Zeida through one of the Shpoler Zeida’s great-granddaughters, Pesya Branya Zeida, and her husband, Aharon David Polonsky.

This article delves into the intriguing mystery of the Lebedinsky family (including the Makovetsky branch), who claims descent from the Shpoler Zeida. The mystery involves how their earliest known Lebedinsky ancestor, Rabbi Beirach Lebedinsky (born c. 1856), was connected to the Shpoler Zeida.

Taking the Lebedinsky family’s claim of descent from the Shpoler Zeida at face value, there are major data gaps and uncertainties in their line of descent, with several unknown ancestors or missing generations in the early part of their lineage. Hence, the Lebedinsky family’s line of descent from the Shpoler Zeida will remain uncertain until additional evidence from historical/genealogical documents can be found that elucidates their line of descent from the Shpoler Zeida.

We present what is known about the Lebedinsky family’s lineage and reconstruct their line of descent to the extent possible. We aim to make this information more widely available in the hope that it will lead to the discovery of a crucial piece of evidence that confirms their line of descent from the Shpoler Zeida.

This article delves into the intriguing mystery of the Sosonsky/Tauber family, who claim descent from the Shpoler Zeida. The mystery involves how their earliest known Sosonsky ancestor, Yosef Sosonsky (born c. 1783), and his wife, Ruchlya (Yocheved), were connected to the Shpoler Zeida.

In this comprehensive research study on the Sosonsky/Tauber family's descent from the Shpoler Zeida, we painstakingly traced family records, cross-referencing them with historical documents and oral histories. We believe that the available historical and genealogical evidence is sufficient to support the Sosonsky/Tauber family’s plausible line of descent from the Shpoler Zeida through the marriage of his daughter Ruchlya to Yosef Sosonsky, and to connect them to the Shpoler Zeida family tree.

This article delves into the intriguing mystery of the Tuchin family (including the Sukonnik branch), which claims descent from the Shpoler Zeida. The mystery involves how their earliest known ancestors, Mordechai Tuchin (born c. 1852 in Shpola) and his wife, Sheyndel (born c. 1855), were connected to the Shpoler Zeida.

There is sufficient historical information to support the Tuchin family’s claim of descent from the Shpoler Zeida; however, there are major data gaps and uncertainties in their line of descent, with several unknown ancestors or missing generations in the early part of their lineage. Hence, the Tuchin family’s line of descent from the Shpoler Zeida will remain uncertain until additional evidence from historical/genealogical documents can be found that elucidates their line of descent.

We present what is known about the Tuchin family’s lineage and reconstruct their line of descent to the best of our ability. We aim to make this information more widely available in the hope that it will lead to the discovery of a crucial piece of evidence that confirms their line of descent from the Shpoler Zeida.

This article delves into the intriguing mystery of the Uritzky family, for which we identified a possible connection to the Zeida family from a Shpola census. The mystery involves whether their earliest known Uritzky ancestor, Shlomo Uritzky (c. 1832–1875), married a Zeida descendant and, if so, how she was connected to the Shpoler Zeida.

In this comprehensive research study on the Uritzky family's descent from the Shpoler Zeida, we painstakingly traced family records, cross-referencing them with historical documents and oral histories. We believe that the available historical and genealogical evidence is sufficient to support the Uritzky family’s plausible line of descent from the Shpoler Zeida through the marriage of his great-granddaughter, Pesya Chaya Zeida, to Shlomo Uritzky, and to connect them to the Shpoler Zeida family tree.

This article delves into the intriguing mystery of the Yablonovsky family (including the Kossoy and Ohry branches), who claim descent from the Shpoler Zeida. The mystery involves how their earliest known Yablonovsky ancestor, Yitzchak Yablonovsky (born c. 1832) and his wife, Leya (born c. 1830), were connected to the Shpoler Zeida.

There is sufficient historical information to support the Yablonovsky family’s claim of descent from the Shpoler Zeida; however, there are major data gaps and uncertainties in their line of descent, with several unknown ancestors or missing generations in the early part of their lineage. Hence, the Yablonovsky family’s line of descent from the Shpoler Zeida will remain uncertain until additional evidence from historical/genealogical documents can be found that elucidates their line of descent.

We present what is known about the Yablonovsky family’s lineage and reconstruct their line of descent to the best of our ability. We aim to make this information more widely available in the hope that it will lead to the discovery of a crucial piece of evidence that confirms their line of descent from the Shpoler Zeida.

This article delves into the intriguing mystery of the Etya Zeida family (including the Achtman, Alswang, Barnett, Brodsky, Burch, Daley, Dettelbach, Dubin, Dukhovny, Elifort, Feinberg, Fenster, Fertel, Freundlich, Gale, Ganopolsky, Gefter, Gewitz, Golovanevsky, Graham, Gray, Hanfling, Isison, Israel, Kirshbaum, Klebanov, Kolkunov, Korsunsky, Kowitz, Kozhukh, Kutner, Kuvykin, Lang, Lehr, Leone, Levine, Levy, Lindy, Lipovetsky, Lipson, Luchan, Luchansky, Mansfield, Marcus, Moore, Murphy, Neralich, Neumann, Oks, Ostrow, Raman, Ratmanski, Rose, Rosenbloom, Ross, Sachs, Safarov, Sarnat, Schliffer, Schulman, Seider, Selearis, Shaland, Shenberg, Silverman, Silvestrov, Slater, Slobodkin, Slutsky, Sokolovsky, Strauss, Sundstrom, Uskov, Vader, Wagner, Walker, Weiss, Wolin, Zadeh, Zayde, Zeide, and Zinder branches), who claim descent from the Shpoler Zeida. The mystery involves how their earliest known Zeida ancestor, Shmuel Zeida (c. 1778–1851) and his wife, Etya Zeida (c. 1781–bef. 1834), are connected to the Shpoler Zeida.

In this comprehensive research study on the Etya Zeida family's descent from the Shpoler Zeida, we painstakingly traced family records, cross-referencing them with historical documents and oral histories. We also conducted Y-DNA testing to confirm biological relationships. This multi-faceted approach ensured the validity and reliability of our findings.

The available historical and genealogical evidence is sufficient to prove the Etya Zeida family’s line of descent from the Shpoler Zeida through Etya Zeida, one of the Shpoler Zeida’s previously unknown daughters, and her husband, Rabbi Shmuel Zeida.

This article delves into the intriguing mystery of the Ruchlya Zeida branch of the much larger Zeida family (including the Babich, Feldman, Gross, Guinzburg, Seidel, Shulman, and Stolisky branches) claims descent from the Shpoler Zeida. The mystery involves how their earliest known Zeida ancestors, Fayvil Zeida (c. 1788–1828) and his wife, Ruchlya (born bet. 1788–1789), are connected to the Shpoler Zeida.

In this comprehensive research study on the Ruchlya Zeida family's descent from the Shpoler Zeida, we painstakingly traced family records, cross-referencing them with historical documents and oral histories. We also conducted Y-DNA testing to confirm biological relationships. This multi-faceted approach ensured the validity and reliability of our findings.

We believe that the available historical and genealogical evidence is sufficient to support the Ruchlya Zeida branch's plausible line of descent from the Shpoler Zeida through his granddaughter, Ruchlya, and to connect them to the Shpoler Zeida family tree.

Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Sep 1, 1992

At least 200 sites in the United States contain soil with elevated levels of trivalent and hexava... more At least 200 sites in the United States contain soil with elevated levels of trivalent and hexavalent chromium [Cr(III) and Cr(VI)]. Although the potential cancer hazard posed by airborne Cr(VI) has been the primary concern for these sites, a soil cleanup standard based on the potential elicitation of allergic contact dermatitis has been proposed for sites in Hudson County, N.J. This paper describes the rationale for identifying a soil concentration of Cr(VI) that should not pose an allergic contact dermatitis hazard-even in sensitized persons. A literature review of eight published patch test studies that evaluated the allergic response to potassium dichromate was conducted. These studies were evaluated for clinical and statistical relevance in establishing a threshold dose of Cr(VI) to which no more than 10% of the subpopulation sensitized to chromium would respond, and that would protect at least 99.84% of the general population. Although each of the studies had certain methodological limitations when evaluated against current test methods, the data set proved useful for deriving an estimated threshold. Using computer data-fitting techniques based on truncated lognormal distributions, a weighted mean 10% threshold of approximately 150 ppm potassium dichromate or 54 ppm Cr(VI) was identified for the eight studies. Due to the types of limitations noted for these studies, this threshold is likely to be somewhat conservative. Test results have shown that between 5 and 10% of the Cr(VI) at concentrations less than about 500 ppm are released from a soil matrix into an isotonic saline solution simulating sweat. Using human sweat as the extractant, it has been shown that only 0.1% of the CR(VI) at concentrations of approximately 1,000 ppm are released from a soil matrix into sweat. Based on 10% solubilization of soil-bound Cr(VI) and the results of our statistical analysis of previous threshold studies, a concentration of approximately 350 to 500 ppm Cr(VI) in soil should be sufficiently low to protect virtually all exposed people, including children, from chromium-induced allergic contact dermatitis.

Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology, Feb 1, 1991

Data from a national survey questionnaire regarding the development of guidelines for chemical co... more Data from a national survey questionnaire regarding the development of guidelines for chemical contaminants in drinking water were collected from all SO states. Twenty-three states develop at least some of their own guidelines; the other 27 states rely on guidelines previously developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) or by other states. States which derive guidelines generally employ toxicological criteria and risk assessment methodologies developed by the USEPA. Fourteen of the twenty-three states that develop their own guidelines depend on cancer potency factors derived by the USEPA to establish risk-based concentrations for carcinogens. Most of the states develop guidelines based on preventing possible excess cancer risk greater than one in one million. Seventeen of these twenty-three states rely on oral reference doses (RtDs) to derive guidelines for noncarcinogens. Examination and clarification of the states' approaches to guideline derivation reveal that although similar risk assessment techniques are generally employed. differences in assumptions, chemical classifications, and uncertainty factors may lead to variation in resultant guidance levels. Improved communication and coordination between states and the federal government may help reduce the variations and inconsistencies among the states in establishing drinking water guidelines for chemical contaminants. o 1991 Academic PESS, IIIC.

Surname DNA Journal, 2015

According to Arthur Kurzweil, one of the pioneers of Jewish genealogy: For the Jewish people ... ... more According to Arthur Kurzweil, one of the pioneers of Jewish genealogy: For the Jewish people ... our royal families have been those of the illustrious rabbis. Through the practice of shidduch (arranged marriage), these illustrious rabbis and their descendants married into other prominent rabbinical families over the centuries to produce an intellectual elite that contributed to European culture, while holding the Jews together through millennia of hardship and persecution. They provided guidance and leadership, and within the framework of Jewish communal self-government, they were the interpreters of Jewish law, and the guardians of Jewish ethics. These great rabbinic families have long been recognized for their immense contribution to the preservation of Jewish identity and culture. However, it is only recently that Jewish genealogists have realized that these illustrious rabbinical families have yet another magnificent gift to offer their descendants – their inherited DNA. Individuals of Jewish descent have long attempted to connect themselves and their families to the family trees of these great rabbinic families. Now it is possible to use Y-DNA testing to identify and verify these ancestral connections, and to genetically connect to these rabbinic families. The current study focuses on the Y-DNA pedigree of the Savran-Bendery Chassidic dynasty, one of the most prominent Chassidic dynasties to emerge from Ukraine and Bessarabia during the 19th century. It presents the genealogical and genetic data that characterize this rabbinic lineage, and by which its descendants may be identified, thereby providing many Ashkenazi (Eastern European) Jews with the essential genealogical and genetic information necessary to bridge the gaps in their own paper trails, and discover their lost heritage.

Surname DNA Journal, 2014

The purpose of this autosomal DNA research study is to investigate whether the shared autosomal D... more The purpose of this autosomal DNA research study is to investigate whether the shared autosomal DNA that is reported for members of an endogamous population is inherently different from that of a heterogeneous population, and if so, to identify and characterize the qualitative and quantitative differences. As part of this study, we identify, describe, and quantify observed differences in autosomal DNA test results for Jewish, non-Jewish, and interfaith populations, and investigate the possible explanations for these observed differences. This study analyzes data from Family Tree DNA's (FTDNA's) Family Finder test for 100 study participants, divided into Jewish, non-Jewish, and interfaith study groups. It examines how reported autosomal DNA test values, such as the size and number of shared DNA segments, the number of genetic matches, and the distribution of predicted relationships, varies between study groups. The study also investigates how shared autosomal DNA, and longest block values vary by strength-of-relationship for each study group. The results of this investigation shed light on the differences in autosomal DNA characteristics for Jewish and non-Jewish populations. The authors suggest several refinements to FTDNA's Family Finder test algorithm and reporting methods to increase their specificity, precision, and relevance for highly endogamous populations such as the Ashkenazi Jewish population. Ashkenazi Jews or Ashkenazim ("The Jews of Germania") is a descriptive term for the descendants of Jews who emerged from the Holy Roman Empire around the turn of the first millennium, and established communities in Central and Eastern Europe. Although they are now dispersed throughout the world, approximately 75-85 percent of the world's Jewish population is of Ashkenazi origin.

Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology, 1991

This article, written in the style of a personal memoir, contains an astonishing genealogical dis... more This article, written in the style of a personal memoir, contains an astonishing genealogical discovery about my grandmother's ancestry, that was made possible through a combination of traditional genealogical research and Y-DNA technology. The results demonstrate what a powerful tool Y-DNA can be for connecting previously unknown rabbinical descendants to well-documented ancestral lineages.

Surname DNA Journal, 2014

Analysis of the formation of surnames by the Jewish population of the 19th century Russian Empire... more Analysis of the formation of surnames by the Jewish population of the 19th century Russian Empire. Description of the cultural and legal context of Ashkenazi Jewish surnames in Russia with examples taken from census records. Provides insight to genealogists on the legally mandated creation of different surnames within individual families followed by a period of relative surname stability into the 20th century. Surname derivation from toponyms with the "sky" suffix were most common followed by patronymics with the "vich" suffix and then derivation from occupations or nicknames. Between 1880 and 1924, over two million Ashkenazi (Eastern European) Jews immigrated to America from the Russian Empire, where repeated pogroms made life untenable. They came from Jewish diaspora communities in the Russian Pale of Settlement (the territory where Jews were permitted to live in the Russian Empire, encompassing modern Poland, Lithuania, Belarus, Ukraine and Moldova), the vast majority of them entering America through the Port of New York, at Ellis Island. Many of these Jewish immigrants had strange, foreign-sounding surnames, very different from the surnames of their American-born children and grandchildren. How did these immigrants originally obtain their Russian or Eastern European surnames? Where did they get them from, and how long did they have them? When, where, and why were they changed? That is the topic of this review article, and some of the questions that it is intended to address. There has always been a certain mystique associated with Jewish surnames. Part of this mystique is due to the fact that many Ashkenazi Jews, whose ancestors immigrated to America, do not know how or where their surname originated, or even what they mean. They may be vaguely aware that their American surname was changed from a different ancestral surname in the old country, but the origin and history of their ancestral