Using Autosomal DNA Analysis to Connect Rabbinical Lineages: A Case Study of the Wertheimer and Wertheim Dynasties

Presented to the IAJGS Conference, August 9, 2013

Dr. Jeffrey Mark Paull

Agenda

1. Explanation of how this autosomal DNA study came about.

2. A brief summary of the evidence pro and con regarding the connection between the Wertheimer and Wertheim rabbinical dynasties.

3. Present an overview of our autosomal research study methods, results, and conclusions.

4. Discuss some of the surprising findings of this study, and the new research studies that are now underway.

5. Address your questions.

BackgroundMotivated by my son’s Bar Mitzvah in June of 2008, I began researching my family’s history and ancestry.

In the process of tracing my family’s Polonsky lineage, I discovered that we are descended from many famous rabbis, including Aryeh Leib Wertheim of Bendery, and Rabbi Pinchas of Koretz, among many others, leading all the way back to Rashi in 1040 AD. This research lead to the publication of my first book earlier this year, entitled: A Noble Heritage – The History and Legacy of the Polonsky and Paull Family in America.

The Unbroken Chain, p. 291:

“Wife of R. Abraham Isaac Polonsky, fifth generation of rabbis who were all A.B.D. Koliblot (Podolia), Zvenigorod, Tolna, Shpola, and Kailraka. His father was R. Menachem Nahum, son of R. Elijah (descendants of R. Phineas Shapiro of Korec) and his wife, daughter of R. Aryey Leib Wertheim of Bendery (whose wife was the niece of R. Mordecai Twersky of Chernobyl.”

I wondered where the Wertheim surname came from, and if Rabbi Aryeh Leib Wertheim of Bendery was a descendant of Rabbi Samson Wertheimer of Vienna.

My curiosity increased when I noticed a Wertheimer on my Family Finder match list.

The Wertheimer Rabbinical Lineage

Rabbi Samson Wertheimer (b. 1658 in Worms, d. 1724 in Vienna) was chief rabbi of Hungary and Moravia, and rabbi of Eisenstadt, Austria. He was also an Austrian financier, Court Jew, and Shtadlan to Austrian Emperor Leopold I.

Samson Wertheimer was the son of Joseph Josel Wertheimer (1626 - 1713), and received his education at the yeshivas of Worms and Frankfurt.

By the marriages of his children, Samson Wertheimer became connected with the most prominent families of Austria and Germany. His stepson Isaac Nathan Oppenheimer married a daughter of the wealthy purveyor Pösing; his eldest son, Wolf, married a daughter of Emanuel Oppenheimer. Samson’s second son, Löb, married a daughter of Issachar ha-Levi Bermann of Halberstadt, a relative of Leffman Behrens, court Jew of Hanover. Hence, the three great shetadlanin (Wertheimer, Oppenheimer, and Behrens) were closely connected.

Rabbi Samson Wertheimer (1658-1724)

The Wertheim Rabbinical Lineage

The Savran-Bendery Chassidic Dynasty was active from the early 19th century until the Holocaust.

The founder was Shimon Shlomo ben Avraham ha-Rofe (Wertheim) (d. 1802), a disciple of the Maggid of Mezeritch, and a preacher in Savran (Podolia).

Shimon’s two sons established independent Chassidic dynasties in Savran and Bessarabia.

The elder son, Rabbi Aryeh Leib Wertheim (c. 1780–1854), settled in the town of Bendery in Bessarabia (now Bender, Moldova), where in 1814 he founded the only Chassidic dynasty ever established in that region.

Rabbi Aryeh Leib Wertheim was a member of one of the most important rabbinical families in the Ukraine. His first wife, Malka, was the granddaughter of Rabbi Menakhem Nahum Twerski of Chernobyl, the founder of the Twerski Chassidic dynasty. His second wife was the granddaughter of Rabbi Pinchas of Koretz.

Rabbi Shlomo Wertheim (1805-1864) (Son of Rabbi Aryeh Leib Wertheim)

Evidence That Does Not Support There Being a Connection Between the two Rabbinical Dynasties

There is very little genealogical evidence to suggest that the Wertheimer and Wertheim rabbinical lineages were connected to one another:

No mention is made of any type of connection between the two rabbinical dynasties in such authoritative rabbinical sources as the Encyclopedia L’Chassidut, Shem ve-She’arit, or The Unbroken Chain.

Neil Rosenstein does not mention Rabbi Aryeh Leib Wertheim or his brother Rabbi Moshe Zvi Gutterman, as being descendants of Rabbi Samson Wertheimer of Vienna in his article, Ashkenazic Rabbinic Families, which discusses both rabbinical dynasties.

Genealogist Yehuda Klausner stated: “According to my database the family of Rabbi Samson (Shimshon) Wertheimer of Vienna is a different family from that of Rabbi Shimon Shlomo of Savran, son of Avraham ha-Rofe (Wertheim).”

Evidence That Does Support There Being a ConnectionBetween the Two Rabbinical Dynasties

There do exist several sources of historical information which indicate that Rabbi Samson Wertheimer and Rabbi Aryeh Leib Wertheim were, in fact, related to one another:

The Russian version of the Jewish Encyclopedia states: “... and in 1840s, by order of the first local rabbi, tzaddik Leib Vertgeim (Wertheim) (grandson of Vienne rabbi Shimshon Vertgeim), the synagogue, due to very poor condition, was demolished...”.

The Bessarabia Yizkor book states: “... in Bendery, on the armchair of rabbanut (Av Beit Din), sit zaddik Rabbi Leib Wertheim, a descendant of Rabbi Shimshon Wertheim of Vienna, also known in legends of Hassidim as Rabbi Shimshon Vienner.”

The Rabbi’s Encyclopedia, by Rabbi Nathan Tzvi Friedmann, states: “Rabbi Aryeh Leib Wertheim, a descendant of ha-sar (minister) Rabbi Shimshon Wertheim[er], established [the] dynasty of Bendery.”

Are the Wertheimer and Wertheim Rabbinical Lineages Connected?

Unfortunately, the historical sources do not provide any genealogical information to describe how Rabbi Aryeh Leib Wertheim descends from Rabbi Samson Wertheimer, or to document their purported connection.

Based upon the similarity of the surnames and the importance of their respective rabbinical dynasties, it is possible that the authors simply assumed that Rabbi Aryeh Leib Wertheim was descended from Rabbi Samson Wertheimer.

Hence, the question of whether or not there was a relationship between the two famous rabbinical dynasties remains unresolved, and we cannot answer the question of whether the Wertheimer and Wertheim rabbinical dynasties were connected to one another based upon the existing genealogical evidence or paper trail.

An Important Jewish Genealogical Research Question:

Is it possible to use autosomal DNA analysis to connect rabbis from two different rabbinical lineages in the absence of existing genealogical evidence or paper trail?

Rabbi Samson Wertheimer (1658-1724) Rabbi Shlomo Wertheim (1805-1864)(son of Rabbi Aryeh Leib Wertheim)

Using Autosomal DNA Analysis to Connect Rabbinical Lineages

Research Study Hypothesis

Autosomal DNA tests are useful for identifying descendants of a common ancestor, regardless of whether they descend through the paternal lineage, the maternal lineage, or through a combination of both male and female ancestors.

In this study, we propose the hypothesis that if two different rabbinical lineages were genetically linked to one another, then the descendants of these lineages should also be genetically linked.

We evaluated this hypothesis using Family Tree DNA’s Family Finder test to identify genetic relationships between descendants of the Wertheim and Wertheimer rabbinical lineages.

Using Autosomal DNA Analysis to Connect Rabbinical Lineages

Research Study Methods

We looked more closely at individual DNA results to determine whether the shared DNA among Wertheimer and Wertheim descendants fit any type of pattern. This involved a 3-step process:

1. We compared the DNA results for known descendants of the Wertheimer and Wertheim rabbinical lineages to determine if a relationship exists.

2. We compared the DNA results for all individuals who listed the Wertheimer or Wertheim surname among their ancestral surnames (possible descendants) with those of known Wertheimer and Wertheim descendants.

3. We examined the DNA results for known and possible descendants to see if they share a common DNA chromosome marker (matching blocks of DNA at a specific chromosome location).

Research Study Methods

(I) Comparison of Autosomal DNA among Known Descendants of the Wertheimer and Wertheim Rabbinical Lineages

We identified one individual in the Family Finder database with proof of descent from Rabbi Samson Wertheimer of Vienna, and two individuals with proof of descent from Rabbi Aryeh Leib Wertheim of Bendery (the author and his son).

A fourth individual was included in this known descendant group. His family tree, albeit incomplete, indicates descent from the Wertheimer rabbinical lineage through several different lines, and is supported by an oral history of descent from Rabbi Samson Wertheimer.

We compared the DNA results for these known descendants of the Wertheimer and Wertheim rabbinical lineages to determine if a relationship exists.

Documentation of Descent from Rabbi Samson Wertheimer of Vienna and Rabbi Aryeh Leib Wertheim of Bendery

Relationships and Autosomal DNA Test Results among Four Known Descendants of the Wertheimer and Wertheim Rabbinical Lineages

Research Study Results

(I) Comparison of Autosomal DNA Among Known Descendants of the Wertheimer and Wertheim Rabbinical

Lineages

We determined that the two known Wertheimer descendants (Michael and David Wertheimer) were genetic DNA matches. Their predicted relationship range of 5th-to-remote cousins is consistent with the number of generations to their common ancestor (Michael is the 8th-great-grandson of Rabbi Samson Wertheimer).

As anticipated, the two Wertheim descendants, Jeffrey and his son Joshua, were genetic DNA matches, with a predicted relationship of parent/child.

The results of the Family Finder test showed that the Wertheim and Wertheimer descendants are also genetic matches, with predicted relationship ranges of 3rd-to-5th cousins, and 5th-to-remote cousins.

Research Study Results(II) Comparison of Autosomal DNA among Known and Possible

Descendants of the Wertheimer and Wertheim Rabbinical Lineages

To identify possible Wertheim(er) descendants we attempted to locate all individuals in the FTDNA Family Finder (FF) database with Wertheim or Wertheimer listed among their ancestral surnames.

After determining that all four known Wertheimer and Wertheim descendants were related to one another, our objective was to determine what proportion of these possible Wertheim(er) descendants were also related.

Of ten known and possible Wertheim(er) descendants, all ten of them (100%) were found on the author’s FF match list.

The fact that every known and possible descendant of the Wertheimer and Wertheim rabbinical lineage identified in the FF database appear on the author’s FF match list provides autosomal DNA evidence which suggests that the descendants of these two rabbinical lineages are connected, and that they share a common ancestor.

Research Study Results(III) Identification of a Potential Autosomal DNA Chromosome Marker among

Known and Possible Descendants of the Wertheimer and Wertheim Rabbinical Lineages

Of a total of 1,346 people on the author’s match list, there are ten individuals who represent known or possible descendants of the Wertheimer or Wertheim rabbinical lineages.

Including the author, these eleven individuals comprised the study group for the purpose of studying possible Wertheimer/Wertheim genetic markers.

The control or comparison group was comprised of the remaining 1,336 individuals on the author’s match list who do not list either Wertheim or Wertheimer among their ancestral surnames.

A feature of FTDNA’s Family Finder database known as “chromosome browser” was used to identify the matching segments of autosomal DNA among members of the study group.

Comparison of Chromosome browser results for five members of the Wertheim(er) study group

As shown in the enlarged view of the 9th chromosome above, four Wertheim(er) descendants had a block of DNA that matched that of the author at a specific region of the 9th chromosome.

This region was bounded by the microchip start and end locations between 8.1 x 107 and 8.8 x 107.

Identification of a Possible Wertheim(er) Chromosome Marker

Research Study Results(III) Identification of a Potential Autosomal DNA Chromosome Marker among

Known and Possible Descendants of the Wertheimer and Wertheim Rabbinical Lineages

Including the author and his son, the autosomal DNA marker on the 9th chromosome was detected in six of eleven members of the Wertheimer/Wertheim study group (54.5%).

The autosomal DNA marker on the 9th chromosome has recently been detected in a seventh member of the Wertheimer/Wertheim study group (Michael Wertheimer).

The autosomal DNA marker on the 9th chromosome was found in only 83 of the 1336 individuals in the control group (6.2%).

Based on the results of the Chi-square test, the probability that the observed difference in the frequency of occurrence of the Wertheim(er) chromosome marker between the study and control groups was due to chance, is less than 0.01 percent.

Research Study ResultsUnique Autosomal DNA Characteristics of Ashkenazi Jewish Populations

FTDNA does not recommend the Family Finder test for identifying relatives for whom their common ancestor is more than five generations back.

Despite this limitation, however, we found the Family Finder test potentially useful for identifying genetic matches whose common ancestor may be as far as ten generations back, as well as for identifying a possible chromosome marker among these individuals.

In our case study, we found a unique chromosome marker in over half (54.5%) of our study group. This percentage is surprisingly high for descendants who may be as many as ten generations removed from the founders of the Wertheimer and Wertheim rabbinical lineages.

One possible explanation for both the persistence and the high frequency of occurrence of this specific chromosome marker is the reinforcement and recombination of the genes due to frequent intra-marriage among cousins of these rabbinical lineages.

Discussion of Results: Limitations and Uncertainties

1. Limitations Related to the Nature of Autosomal DNA Testing.

2. Autosomal DNA Analysis Methods.

3. Uncertainties Related to the Lack of Traditional Genealogical Information.

4. Identification of the Common Ancestor.

5. Ancestral Identification Bias.

6. Classification of Descendants.

Current and Future Research Studies

Follow-up studies of additional Wertheimer/Wertheim descendants to verify their relationship, as well as the frequency of occurrence of the 9th chromosome marker.

Autosomal DNA studies of known descendants of other rabbinical lineages. We must convince many more known descendants to test!

Comparison of autosomal DNA and Y-DNA studies of known descendants of rabbinical lineages. Studies of the Wertheimer/ Wertheim rabbinical lineage, and the Shpoler Zeida’s lineage are currently underway.

Differences in Autosomal DNA Characteristics between Jewish and Non-Jewish Populations and Implications for FTDNA’s Family Finder Test: A cooperative study with FTDNA to investigate the observed differences in the Family Finder test for Jewish and non-Jewish populations, to explain the possible reasons for these observed differences, and to recommend ways to improve the accuracy and interpretation of Family Finder matches and test results.

Conclusions

In this case study, we analyzed the results of FTDNA’s Family Finder test, which utilizes autosomal DNA analysis, for descendants of the Wertheimer and Wertheim rabbinical lineages, and found them to be related to one another.

As part of this research study, we also demonstrated that autosomal DNA analysis can be used to identify a specific and unique chromosome marker in descendants of a common ancestor or lineage. In this case, a possible marker on the 9th chromosome was identified which we believe may be indicative of descent from the Wertheimer/Wertheim rabbinical lineage.

From these research findings, it follows that these rabbinical lineages were also most likely connected, and that Rabbi Aryeh Leib Wertheim of Bendery was either descended from Rabbi Samson Wertheimer of Vienna, or they share a common ancestor.

These findings lend scientific credibility to the otherwise unsupported assertions in the Jewish Encyclopedia, and other historical sources that Rabbi Aryeh Leib Wertheim was a descendant of Rabbi Samson Wertheimer.

Conclusions

Historically documented relationships between rabbinical lineages can be confirmed, or previously unknown relationships between lineages can be discovered, by using autosomal DNA analysis in conjunction with traditional genealogical research methods.

Autosomal DNA analysis may be useful in identifying possible chromosome markers in descendants of a common rabbinical ancestor or lineage.

Genetic tests such as FTDNA’s Family Finder test, which utilize autosomal DNA analysis, have potentially wide-ranging application to the field of Jewish genealogy, and can provide potentially valuable genetic information that can support traditional genealogical research methods.

Autosomal DNA tests are not without their limitations and uncertainties, but as the underlying science matures, the application of autosomal DNA analysis to the field of Jewish genealogy holds great promise.

For More Information:

To download this presentation, or to find out more about my current books and Jewish genealogy research projects, I invite you to visit my website:

www.ANobleHeritage.com

Please feel free to contact me at:

nobleheritage@msn.com

Thank you for attending my presentation today, and safe

travels home!