Genealogy, DNA and Adoption: Blessings and Pitfalls

The Minnesota Jewish Genealogical Society will hold its next meeting in the Kiddish Room of Beth El Synagogue. Beth El is on the east side of Highway 100 directly across the street from Benilde St. Margaret's.

There will be a panel discussion on the topic: "Genealogy, DNA and Adoption: Blessings and Pitfalls."

Our panelists will be:

Sally Abrams, a Beth El member, who recently discovered through DNA analysis a half-sister she never knew she had

Claude Riedel, a retired psychologist, an adoptee himself, who specialized in adoption in his practice. Claude will address the emotional aspects of searching for birth parents and siblings and his feelings about the use of DNA kits

Heewon Lee, also an adoptee, is a graduate student in the genetic counseling program at the University of Minnesota. Heewon's current research explores the ways in which adopted adults use direct-to-consumer genetic testing

The panel will be moderated by Walter Elias, President of the MNJGS