Jewish Ethnicity & DNA: History, Migration, Genetics in Aptos

Jewish Ethnicity & DNA: History, Migration, Genetics

Schelly Talalay Dardashti will build on her introduction to Sephardic research program with a deeper look into Jewish ethnicity as seen through historical events, migrations, and DNA evidence. Also, Maria Apodaca will offer her compelling personal story: "My Journey: It Only Took 500 Years," covering her family's history, genealogy, DNA, and her return to Judaism. Schelly Talalay Dardashti is a journalist, genealogist, and founder of the award-winning Tracing the Tribe - Jewish Genealogy on Facebook (37,000+ members/101-countries). She is the US Genealogy Advisor for MyHeritage.com Schelly was an early proponent of DNA for genealogy, and co-admins several DNA projects at FamilyTreeDNA.  She has traced her Ashkenazi, Sephardi and Mizrahi roots  across Europe and the Middle East for more than 35 years. Her articles have appeared in JTA, Reform Judaism, Hadassah, NGS Quarterly, Avotaynu, and numerous Jewish and general genealogy publications. Schelly is a founding member, Centro Sefarad NM (New Mexico); president, JGS of New Mexico; and media coordinator, Society for Crypto-Judaic Studies. Maria Apodacas family has been in New Mexico since arriving with the Juan Onate expedition in 1598. She was born and raised a Catholic in Albuquerque before finding out, at 14, her familys true heritage. She made her return to Judaism in 1999 and is active in many Jewish organizations. Her affiliations include: founding member and event coordinator, Centro Sefarad NM; vice president, Jewish Genealogical Society of New Mexico; outreach coordinator, Society for Crypto-Judaic Studies; and member, New Mexico Jewish Historical Society. She shares her personal story and the Sephardic saga as a speaker (since 2016) for the Road Scholars program.

Categories: Education