KING DAVID'S "PROGENY" TO MEET

A revolution in Jewish genealogy (JPost)
They are coming from all over the world to claim their royal heritage. First, on October 19, they will meet in New York City at the inaugural dinner of the Davidic Dynasty organization. Then, in May, a mass reunion is planned for Jerusalem.

They say they are descendants of King David. They have the oral family traditions, rabbinic texts and historical research to back up their claims. And the way Jewish genealogy is thriving, their ranks may swell in the coming years.

Davidic Dynasty, a project of the Eshet Chayil Foundation, has compiled a partial list of David's purported descendants. Their get-together, to be held at the Museum of Jewish Heritage, will honor Manhattan District Attorney Robert Morgenthau and Rebbetzin Esther Jungreis - both of whom are believed to be descended from David.

Other illustrious Jewish figures down the centuries who traced their ancestry back to David include Hillel, Rabban Gamliel, Rabbi Yehuda Hanasi, Yochanan Hasandler and Yosef Karo. More contemporary leaders include the Baal Shem Tov, Rabbi Nachman of Breslov, the Lubavitcher Rebbe and former president Chaim Herzog.