Unlocking Hidden Histories: My Jewish Ancestors Through DNA
- Marcy Baez Lopez
- Dec 25, 2022
- 3 min read
Updated: Jul 17
Unearthing the voices of our ancestors through DNA research.
My Jewish Ancestors: Unearthing Hidden Histories Through DNA
The Last Ashkenazi Jew
Approximately six to eight generations ago, somewhere in Eastern Europe between 1690 and 1780, my last fully Ashkenazi Jewish ancestor was born. If it were not for the power of DNA genealogy, I would never have known the mysteries that lie within me—untold histories buried for centuries. My genetic testing has since revealed that my Jewish ancestry encompasses both Ashkenazi and Sephardic roots, adding even more depth to this incredible discovery.
I hope to one day learn the names and individual stories of these ancestors. Until then, my children, other family members, and I embrace our Jewish heritage in honor of those lost to us, by remembering and celebrating their traditions.
HAPPY HANUKKAH!
The Miracle of Hanukkah: A Story of Triumph
Hanukkah, the eight-day Jewish festival of lights, beautifully embodies the spirit of resilience and miracles. It recalls the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem after it was defiled by the Greeks in 154 BCE, following the successful revolt of the Maccabees. This biblical story celebrates the miracle of triumph against overwhelming odds—a pivotal moment in history when the Jewish people defeated their enemy, avoiding complete annihilation. One profound part of the miracle story recounts how one night’s worth of oil miraculously lasted for eight!
Hanukkah Traditions in 18th Century Eastern Europe: A Glimpse into My Ancestors' Lives
Imagine my ancestors in 18th-century Eastern Europe, observing Hanukkah. As historians have traced, the tradition of using candles for Hanukkah illumination began roughly 300 years ago in Eastern Europe. This means my ancestors would likely have been among the first to observe Hanukkah by lighting the menorah with candles, a shift from the earlier tradition of using olive oil lamps, as depicted in the original Hanukkah story.
Without even knowing it, my ancestors were also taking part in a new tradition that would evolve over time and continue to our present day: the giving of chocolate coins, or gelt. In their time, rabbis would travel from village to village, going house to house to teach. Children would then offer a coin—gelt—as a token for their service. I often wonder if a Rabbi or a Yeshiva student might be in my lineage, connecting me directly to these learned traditions.
The origins of the spinning top game, dreidel, are unknown, but it is believed to have come from a 16th-century game played in Ireland that eventually found its way to Germany. The four letters on the four sides of the top (Nun, Gimel, Hey, Shin) stand for the words in the Hebrew sentence “a great miracle happened there” (or, in Israel, “happened here”). By the early 18th century, my ancestors would have played this very game. While the exact rewards they played for remain a mystery, this is a game my family continues to enjoy today—though our modern version often uses candy bars instead of traditional gelt!
Interestingly, the dreidel is a Jewish variant of the "teetotum," a gambling toy found in Eastern European cultures. Rabbi David Golinkin, President Emeritus of the Schechter Institute of Jewish Studies, once wrote: "Our Eastern European game of dreidel (including the letters nun, gimmel, hey, shin) is directly based on the German equivalent of the totum game: N = Nichts = nothing; G = Ganz = all; H = Halb = half; and S = Stell ein = put in.” According to tradition, the game was developed by Jews who studied the Torah in seclusion as they hid from the Seleucids under Antiochus IV. At the first sign of Seleucids, they would conceal Torah scrolls and bring out the dreidels, cleverly disguised as a simple children's game.
Embracing a Rich Legacy
The discovery of my Jewish lineage, particularly my last full-blooded Ashkenazi ancestor, has opened a profound window into centuries of untold history. It's a powerful reminder that our DNA holds stories far beyond what written records alone can reveal. By understanding these traditions and connecting with the past, we honor those who came before us and strengthen our own family's identity.
Has DNA revealed a surprising heritage in your family tree?
Contact Marcy today at Budget Genealogy to explore the hidden chapters of your own ancestry! Visit my Services Page to learn more!
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