iGENEA DNA Test: An Emotional Journey into my Sephardic Jewish Lineage and Surname 'Cohn'
Family name Cohn
The iGENEA DNA test connection to my Sephardic Jewish gene marked an emotional journey, redefining my relationship with my ancestry and more specifically, my surname, ‘Cohn.' From anticipation to discovery to self-reflection, it brought about a sense of belonging, humbling responsibility, and a newfound reverence for history.
Taking the DNA test with iGENEA was nothing short of an emotional roller coaster ride. The process, punctuated by anticipation, discovery, and ultimately profound self-reflection, has sparked a renewed interest in my ancestry, and notably, the significance of my surname, ‘Cohn.’
The initial phase was filled with mere curiosity and a hint of skepticism - an endeavor which was to be regarded as nothing more than a pathway to needlessly backtrack my genetic trail. The DNA test kit from iGENEA arrived, bringing a newfound sense of excitement. Collecting a simple cheek swab sample felt like taking part in a grand mystery that had the power to immensely affect my story.
As days turned into weeks, my anticipation gave way to anxiety. There was an undercurrent of fear - what if I discovered unknown, uncomfortable truths? The delivery of the results was nerve-wracking, to say the least.
Once I gathered the courage to open the result, it was like walking through the annals of history. The analysis concluded that I carry the Sephardic Jewish gene, a revelation that was more complex emotionally than I expected. My surname ‘Cohn,’ I learned, is integral to Jewish history, typically denoting the descendants of Aaron in Ashkenazi Jewish communities.
The realization that I intricately connected to Jewish heritage suddenly brought an ineffable sense of belonging, and with it a surge of responsibility. Realizing that generations before me may have endured hardships related to our Jewish lineage was both humbling and empowering. My perspective towards my name ‘Cohn’ shifted drastically, turning from simple letters that denoted my identity into symbolic representations of hundreds of years of familial and global history.
The DNA testing journey ended leaving me oscillating between complex emotions -afraid yet curious, surprised yet content, and most of all, humbled. Today, I wear my surname with newfound pride and reverence. iGENEA has given me a heartwarming odyssey filled with a powerful sense of identity, history, and an unbroken link to my ancestors.
N. Cohn