South Florida: Jews in Caucasus, Central Asia, Oct. 13

Learn about the Jews in the Caucasus and Central Asia with author Helene Schwartz Kenvin at the next meeting of the Jewish Genealogical Society of Palm Beach County, on Wednesday, October 13.

A family history researcher for more than 35 years, Kenvin has authored a recently published book, “Silk Road Adventures: Among the Jews of the Caucasus and Central Asia.”

Kenvin will speak about the Ashkenazi, Bukharan, Georgian and Mountain Jews who live in the Muslim republics of the former Soviet Union. She is the founder of an international, all-volunteer organization that has worked in these regions since 1984.

The day starts with registration at 12:30pm (registration/brick wall) and the 1pm program, at the South County Civic Center, 16700 Jog Road , Delray Beach. The Lithuanian SIG 9with Tracing the Tribe's dear friend Sylvia Nusinov) will also meet from 11.30-12.15pm.

Fee: JGSPBC members, free; others, $5.

Click here for more information on the JGS of Palm Beach County.

Mapping Middle East DNA

Dr. Hsien-Hsien Lei's recent Eye On DNA blog postings points out a new agreement signed by Dubai's Eastern Biotech & Life Sciences to be part of the National Geographic Society's Genographic Project via Family Tree DNA.

"They plan to create a database for the Middle Eastern population. Y-DNA and mtDNA tests are offered at DNAancestry.ae although much of the information there is a duplicate from Family Tree DNA and not specific to Middle Eastern populations."

Hsien wonders "if knowledge of genetic similarities and differences between these countries could influence their relationships with one another - for the better or for the worse."

The Middle East generally includes the following countries, although some may argue that several are really Asia/Central Asia: Afghanistan, Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, and Yemen.