I would like to try to clarify how my exploration of family roots relates to my Jewish identity. Before the massive emigration of Jews from Europe in the latter half of the 19th and first quarter of the 20th centuries, Jews identified themselves not only as Jews, but as Jews from a particular location. Of …
Author: Chanan Kessler
Myself as a latter day landsman
The connection to my ancestral roots took an unexpected turn about six or seven years ago. I picked up the copy of the Jewish Week, a weekly Jewish newspaper published in New York where I live. Usually this paper has marginal interest to me, and I get through it in about five to ten minutes. …
Zambrow: real and imagined
There was, as long as I can remember, a special book on my parent’s bookcase. I knew it was special because of the reverence in which my parents held it. I rarely pulled it off the bookcase and looked at it, nor do I remember my parents ever reading it. All I knew was that …
Introduction to the blog
I am writing this blog to chronicle my experience in finding out more about my ancestors and to connect with others who are engaging in a similar search. At this point, I am focusing mostly on my mother’s family, about whom I know the most. I am calling this blog Zambrow: A Jewish Roots Journey …