What it’s about
A remarkable initiative employs state-of-the-art DNA testing and expert genealogical research to reunite Holocaust survivors and their descendants with living relatives, reigniting the bonds severed by the Holocaust.
Why it matters
This project not only brings joy and solace to Holocaust survivors, who have endured unimaginable losses, but also strengthens the Jewish community by reviving connections and shared histories lost to Nazi genocide policies.
Details
Founded by genealogists Jennifer Mendelsohn and Adina Newman, the Holocaust Reunion Project combines modern DNA testing with expert genealogical research to reunite Holocaust survivors and their families. Since its pilot launch in 2022, over 1,300 free DNA tests have connected countless families across the globe, transforming lives and filling profound gaps left by history.
One poignant case involved identifying the biological father of a child survivor of Theresienstadt. Another notable success was helping two elderly Polish women, abandoned as infants and adopted separately, discover they were sisters and of Ashkenazi Jewish heritage.
The Israeli Connection
Amidst these efforts, Israel’s own organizations like Ezer Mizion further the cause of reuniting families and fulfilling dreams. For instance, Ezer Mizion helped Six-Day War veteran and Holocaust survivor, Shalom Zihan, revisit Ammunition Hill, fulfilling his long-standing wish and allowing him to reconnect with his past triumphs for the Jewish state.
Broader Context
The reunification of Holocaust survivors is also remembered in international contexts, such as the upcoming commemoration in Czestochwa, Poland. Efforts led by figures like Alon Goldman emphasize the need to honor and educate about these historical tragedies, ensuring that even lesser-known Holocaust sites are properly memorialized.
Why now?
The passage of time highlights the pressing need for initiatives like these. As the survivor population ages, the urgency to discover and reunite family members grows stronger. Innovations in DNA technology now make it possible to bridge decades of silence and restore the history and heritage of Jewish families worldwide.
The Takeaway
With the support and leadership of both Israeli initiatives and global efforts, technologies rooted in modern science empower us to repair the wounds of history. Uniting families torn apart by war and genocide stands as a beacon of hope, resilience, and the eternal quest for unity and understanding within the Jewish community.
For more information and to apply for a free DNA test, visit holocaustreunions.org.
Commemorations and Honors
Celebrating resilience is not only about heroes found but also those continuously honored, including Samuel Willenberg, whose legacy as a Holocaust survivor and artist portraying historical moments, endures in Israel. Likewise, those contributing to Jewish life, like Richard H. Schwartz for his environmental advocacy, demonstrate the wide-reaching impact of Jewish thought and morality.
Contact: greerfc@gmail.com
This story was first published on jpost.com.