The growing proliferation of DNA and genealogical services have led to increased cataloging of DNA markers. Many Hispanics have taken these tests and as a consequence have discovered likely Jewish backgrounds. Most individuals who contact me regarding Crypto-Jewish identity have started from DNA inquiries. For an interesting article on the topic, see the article below from The Jewish Post.
Rabbi Juan Marcos Bejarano-Gutierrez is a graduate of the University of Texas at Dallas where he earned a bachelor of science in electrical engineering. He studied at the Siegal College of Judaic Studies in Cleveland and received a Master of Arts Degree with Distinction in Judaic Studies.
He completed his doctoral studies at the Spertus Institute of Jewish Learning and Leadership in Chicago in 2015. His doctoral dissertation is titled “Complex Identities: Christian and Jewish Attitudes Towards Conversos” and was accepted in September 2015.
He also studied at the American Seminary for Contemporary Judaism and received rabbinic ordination in 2011 from Yeshivat Mesilat Yesharim.
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