A Genealogy of who we were, who we are and who we will be

Honi the Wise One was also known as Honi the Circle Maker. He would draw a circle and step inside to recite incantations for rain. and would even sometimes argue with the Almighty to end droughts and bring rain. He was a mystic, a a pious man and a seeker.

Many, may years ago, before the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem, Honi the Circle Maker planted a carob tree and then fell asleep beneath it. He slept for 70 years. When he awoke a he was confronted by a small child who told him they loved the fruit and shade of that trees that his grandfather had planted in the past. The child noted, ” Just as they planted trees for me, I will plant trees for my children and grandchildren so they will be able to eat the fruit of these trees.”

Our genealogy provides such shade and fruit. It tells us who we are where we came from and where we may go. It provides information on why things are as they have become and teaches us lessons.

My passion for genealogy began in 1989 at the time of my son’s Bar Mitzvah and has never ended. As the years have gone on I have expanded my research to include the ancestors of my grandchildren (thus adding the families of my beloved son-in-law and daughter-in-law) and the ancestors of my nieces and nephews.

It has become a very large and very amazing family tree, indeed. There are many amazing stories, successes, tragedies, heroes, villains, and more. But I always remember the story taught to me that the reason HaShem has us all descended from Adam and Eve is so that no one can say, “My ancestors are better than yours.”

What is in this section

This webpage acts as an entre into our family genealogy, our tree and ongoing research. It contains the following components:

• links to the full family tree tools available at Ancestry.com (note that full viewing access to information on living persons is by permission only and can be requested by Contacting Me);
• an introduction to Jewish Genealogy
• tips and tricks for research;
• chapters of the book “Searching the Stream of Souls” (in progress); and
• a genealogy blog.

Please share with me any corrections, additions, photos or other information. I hope you will be excited by what you learn and encouraged to share with future generations.

Why do genealogy?

You can do your own genealogy or share what is here for your family. You may ask, “Why do genealogy or family history research?” I urge you to read the answer written by Alex Haley, the author of the acclaimed book and tv series “Roots”.

A warning about confidentiality and etiquette

As noted throughout, information on living persons is not available on this site or on the Family Tree at Ancestry.com unless specific permission has been granted. If you wish to have full viewing privileges of the family tree, please contact me. Permissions will usually be granted to family members and serious researchers.

My blogs encourage a free exchange of ideas. However, hurtful behaviour, bullying, name calling and similar such behaviour will result in restricted access. This site is written with love of family and knowledge.

So why are you doing this?  Can you bring them back? I cannot bring them back, but I can help to see that they do not die again when we do.  We are no longer the only person who knows their names, and we will record them so that it will always be known that they existed.