Who Jew you think you are?
DNA testing has revolutionized the way we explore our ancestral origins, uncover hidden connections, and gain insights into our genetic heritage. Through the analysis of DNA, these tests offer a fascinating window into our past, allowing us to discover our genetic roots and understand our ancestral backgrounds in new and exciting ways.
​
Kara Rubinstein Deyerin’s personal story is a great example of that. Kara Rubinstein Deyerin grew up with a white mom and a Black dad, and believed she was biracial. But when she took a home DNA test at age 43, she learned that 50% of her DNA was Ashkenazi Jewish — and none of it was African.
​
In her blog unexpectedlyjewish.com, she says:
“My Jewish journey started when I opened my DNA results from Ancestry.com to discover I was 50% “Ashkenazi.” I didn’t know what that word meant. I’d never heard it before. If you would’ve asked me moments before if I thought my mom had interacted with anyone Jewish before, I would’ve said no. I had no idea what it meant to be a Jew. The only thing I knew, was that my father was Jewish. I wondered what that meant for me. I wondered what it meant to be a Jew.
I believe in genetic memory. After my DNA surprise, the first time I attended Jewish services, I sat there in awe that I finally looked like other people in a room with me, I don’t think I heard one word of the Hebrew. The next time, I paid attention and was mesmerized. The words spoke to a part of me, the deepest part of my soul, that had never been touched in 45 years. Tears ran down my face as the Rabbi’s words woke something long dormant within me. This mystical moment surprised me.”
​
There are also plenty of public figures who found out they had Jewish ancestry through DNA testing on TV.
For example, Writer Larry David and Sen. Bernie Sanders (D-VT) discovered they are related on the season 4 premiere of “Finding Your Roots”. The PBS series revealed several family secrets about both men, whose DNA tests showed they both had over 97% Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry and are actually distant cousins, a fact made all the more serendipitous for the fact that David famously parodied Sanders on “Saturday Night Live” during the 2016 Presidential election.
Another famous actress who was on the show “Finding Your Roots”, Mayim Bialik, known for her role as Amy Farrah Fowler on the show "The Big Bang Theory," discovered her Jewish ancestry through a DNA test.
On the TV show "Who Do You Think You Are?", Nigella Lawson, The British television personality and cookbook author, was able to trace her ancestors to Ashkenazi Jews who originate from eastern Europe and Germany.
How to take a DNA test? Don’t worry, it’s easy and painless
​
To perform a DNA test, a DNA sample must be collected. This is typically done through a simple and painless process, such as a cheek swab or saliva sample. Some tests may require a blood sample, but this is less common in consumer DNA testing.
After the sample is taken, the DNA is extracted from the cells within the sample. Once the DNA is extracted, specific regions of interest are amplified through a process called polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The target DNA regions are subjected to DNA sequencing and the sequenced DNA data is then analyzed using sophisticated algorithms and comparison databases. Then, the results are being interpreted and the final answers are revealed.
It is safe to say that DNA testing has transformed our understanding of our ancestral origins and provided us with a deeper appreciation of our genetic heritage. By exploring our DNA, we can unlock hidden connections, discover distant relatives, and gain insights into our ancestral past.
​
If you’re interested in taking the test, and maybe find a connection to the past and future of the Holly Land, there are a few platforms that provide this service, such as 23andMe and Ancestry.com. It’s a short way to start a long and exciting journey to yourself.