Completing the missing pages in the Book of Life
It's a privilege to help people find closure and renewed emotional and spiritual wholeness.
Each of us carries a story.
Some parts are clear and written. Others are missing.
Pieces slipped away, connections faded, roots still waiting to be found.
There are loud voices that say “don’t touch.”
There is also a quiet voice asking for one honest moment.
You want to understand without tearing everything apart.
To say out loud what has been whispering inside.
To know what to keep and what to let go.
Here you are allowed to be human.
Here it is okay to hesitate and to ask hard questions.
It is okay to feel anger and then soften.
It is okay not to know yet.
It is okay to pause, breathe, and return when you are ready.
You do not need to know everything to begin.
This guide is a first step.
Is a DNA test the right path for you?
Maybe you came here to pause for a moment and realize that your story begins here and now.
You have a story worth telling.
Your true self can inspire today and for generations to come.
What does it look like in practice?
Want a small example?
The attached guide helps you take the first step, simply.
Three short tasks that create an instant time capsule.
Lectures and Public Speaking
Talks are delivered in person or on Zoom, as you prefer.
They’re tailored for Genealogy Societies, private gatherings, organizations, company events, clubs,
legal departments, and medical or social-service teams.
Every talk is packed with touching stories and structured like a suspense film.
Contact me, and together we’ll tailor the perfect talk for your audience.
People, DNA & in Between
?Why do people take DNA tests ?What intriguing discoveries can you make ?Do you always need a specific trigger ?If you decide to test, how do you know which companies exist ?How do you choose the right company ?How is the test done ?What do you get in the results ?What should you know before testing ?Can you change your mind at any stage Whether you’re a family-tree enthusiast, an experienced genealogist, or simply curious about your roots and the world of DNA, this talk will spark your curiosity while giving you an unforgettable entry ticket to the DNA universe. Book now and step into the fascinating, captivating world of DNA.
When the unexpected knocks on your door
Discover the unknown world of DNA research a complex web of ethical and moral dilemmas you may not have considered ?What happens when you receive answers to questions you never asked ?What do you do with information that changes everything you thought you knew ?How do you handle newly uncovered family secrets ?Is there a rulebook for what is right and what is wrong ?How are DNA tests connected to questions of conscience, morality, and ethics ?How might test results affect the people closest to us Questions, insights, and perspectives that will keep you thinking long after the talk ends Book now for real-life stories where reality surpasses imagination
Searching for Roots - A Travel Diary
Step into the extraordinary story of “Searching for Roots - A Travel Diary” where a single document sets off a chain of unexpected events Follow the gripping journey of a 16-year-old whose life takes an unexpected turn This captivating tale weaves loss, hope, secrets, dreams, and love into a search that will leave you breathless Hear how, after 69 years, an astonishing reunion unfolds as everything falls apart and comes together again “This is not just a talk. It is an emotional roller coaster that leaves no one unmoved. Get ready to be stirred as you accompany this brave soul on a journey where reality outpaces imagination and the power of the human spirit triumphs against all odds Book now and let this talk touch your heart and spark your curiosity
Family. Secrets. DNA ?Who brought me into this world
?How do you live with missing pieces in your identity ?How far will one woman go to uncover hidden truths Step into the riveting story of “Secrets, Family, DNA” an electrifying, heartwarming journey that crosses time and borders Experience a true adventure of courage and curiosity, where mysteries of unknown roots are revealed in a one-of-a-kind quest It begins with a young woman somewhere in the country and a baby passed from hand to hand into the unknown This talk will keep you on the edge of your seat and let you join a mystery that unfolds across continents Book now and don’t miss the chance to be captivated by Secrets, Family, DNA witness the power of human resilience in the pursuit of a lost legacy
Genealogy for Our Descendants A Talk That’s an Homage to Life
?Who are we? And what will truly remain of us Not the assets, not the objects - the story In a moving, inspiring talk, you’ll journey through time - past, present, and future and see how anyone can leave a living, breathing memory for the generations to come We’ll talk about: Why personal documentation is much more than keeping a diary How to turn small moments into part of a larger story How each of us can become the guardian of our own legacy You’ll leave with: Inspiration and fresh insights Simple, actionable tasks you can start right after the talk Begin documenting what truly matters We live life only once - but the story can last for generations
The Golden State Killer
A serial killer who terrorized communities for decades was finally caught
thanks to a DNA test and breakthrough genealogical methods
Through a rare collaboration between investigators, a relentless journalist
and an unwavering drive for justice,
we’ll uncover how science and family history joined forces
to solve one of the toughest cases in U.S. history
You will discover: Innovative investigative techniques and how they emerged
The ethical dilemmas that come with using genetic genealogy
The power of DNA and genealogy in the service of truth
Great to meet you
Hi, I’m Janna Helshtein.
I am a genetic genealogist and speaker who lives at the exact meeting point of science and story.
My journey began at home, with two searches that changed my life and how I see family, identity, and memory: the search for my father’s biological mother, and the search for my children’s father’s biological parents. From these deep, delicate places grew a mission that connects data to the heart, turns results into conversation, and transforms complex questions into hope you can touch.
Over the past decade I have studied nonstop, delivered hundreds of talks in Israel and abroad, in person and on Zoom, and guided many people as they received closure and found new words for their old stories. I discovered that the real work does not end when an answer appears. It begins right there. We need to place these gently within the family, understand the implications, build rapport that respects everyone involved, and remember that every DNA test rests on a beating heart and a full life. This is professional responsibility, as much as it is a human duty.
I believe expertise is measured by the ability to simplify complexity without flattening it. In my lectures I open a window into the world of genetic genealogy in an engaging, accessible way, showing how science, ethics, and life stories meet, and how curiosity becomes a practical tool.
In one-on-one consulting I work with the goal in mind, leading step by step while holding space for emotion. In workshops I create a safe, intimate space where you pause, listen, and record your authentic voice as a gift to future generations. From the closeness with my sons and the honest conversations at home, I learned that our biography is not a bulletin board of achievements but a bridge between generations. That is why I also share knowledge on YouTube and through open resources, so anyone can start this path with confidence.
Whether you are here for a speaker who moves and builds authority, a consultant who brings clarity and a clear next step, or a facilitator who restores meaning to your family story, I would love to meet you where data meets heart and truth meets compassion. This is where curiosity becomes insight, and a test becomes a story that belongs at home.
A personal story ahead… scroll down…
What people say about my talks
In the Media
Lets talk DNA Results
You took a DNA test and you have no idea what all these phrases and numbers mean?
Thinking about testing and have questions? Just curious about the DNA world?
This session is where you get clear answers.
We meet on Zoom at a time that suits you. I guide you through the DNA maze and give you practical tips and next steps you can act on.
This is your private time with me. Every question is welcome, and the conversation focuses on what matters to you.
The workshop - My Story
It's 1940. Chaya was 22 when her daughter Hannah was born. A sister to an older boy. Chaya is young, escaping with two children. Alone. Her husband has gone to fight.
A year later, at only 23, her baby girl dies. Rumors said it was malnutrition, but no one really knows.
What I do know is that from then on Chaya never spoke of it. Chaya is my grandmother.
In our family only the bare facts remained: she had a daughter, and the child died at the age of one. That is all.
Years later I found myself in the delivery room. That was supposed to be a new beginning. Instead, I said a gentle goodbye to a fetus who could not live. Modern medicine had no hope to offer.
I was the one who had to say goodbye.
I could not face the loss, and three days after the hospital I went back to work. Why? Because I told myself I was fine. I am fine. That is what I kept saying.
Around me there were wonderful people, a great support team, helpful and caring. Inside I felt hollow. I felt broken, insignificant, without vitality, and mostly alone.
In recent years I have thought about my grandmother and the daughter I never knew. If only I had a small note from my grandma, a few lines in her handwriting. How she learned to breathe after her loss. What did she hold on to keep her sanity.
If I had read such a letter back then, I would have felt less broken, less alone.
I would have learned from her how to get out of bed, how to place a hand over my heart and tell myself there is still life ahead, and somehow take one step forward, then another.
My lesson is: every story we carry can be a lifeline for someone. Even if it is hard for us, even when it hurts.
For someone else it can be a small light in a long and dark corridor.
One sentence can bring back a breath. One paragraph can remind us that there is a way out.
This thought and experience gave birth to, “My Story in the First Person.”
Not a workshop about pretty writing, but about personal truth.
About everyday moments that seem small to us but in a hundred or two hundred years will be an anchor for someone. About memories we dare to face. About voices that were afraid to come out and finally found a place.
This workshop lets you meet yourselves up close, document without masks, and discover that your lives already hold moments of inspiration.
How is it done in practice? By learning to pause.
To choose one moment from the day, not only from peaks or abysses, and give it words.
You learn to ask the heart simple questions and write simple answers.
You learn to tell your point of view, and leave a mark. Who you truly were, not who you tried to be.
“My Story in the First Person” is a hands-on workshop that opens inner doors.
Sometimes it changes a life. Sometimes it simply helps you wake up a little different the day after.
What matters most to me is this: somewhere, near or far, someone will read your words and feel less alone.
Join the people who have already had a powerful experience. Three sessions of 90 minutes. There is an option for continued one-on-one support, or you can continue on your own with a clear plan for a full year.
For anyone brave enough to pause and meet themselves.
The workshop - Those who took part share
Highly recommended. A unique, creative workshop that is fascinating, enriching, and deeply moving. It’s a gift to yourself, and your descendants will thank you.
Keren Mazuz – Private Investigator
A moving, joyful workshop that keeps echoing. It opened up memories, and even my kids are curious to hear more. Wholeheartedly recommended, with Janna's gentle and professional guidance
Irina Eidinov
A valuable, heartfelt workshop. It opened space for me to think, remember, create, and plan. Highly recommended.
Nurit Einav, Life and Career Coach
I’ve attended this uniquely powerful workshop twice. It’s thoughtful, deep, and unlike anything else today. Strongly recommended.
Raffi Danieli
Clients
Q & A
Prices range between 79-129$ (shipping not included). There are occasional discounts during special days such as Black Friday, Cyber Monday in November, DNA DAY in April, and National Holidays.
yDNA and mtDNA tests are available at FTDNA. These tests are more expensive. It is recommended to check current prices at the time of purchase.
DNA testing changes the whole game in genealogical research. Examining certain markers in our DNA can help us trace the origins of our ancestors, revealing the migration routes of our ancestors and the areas they came from. Furthermore, DNA testing can identify and connect us with relatives living around the world, even distant cousins who share a common ancestor. In addition, DNA can be used to confirm relationships within a family tree, revealing potential unknown branches of our lineage.
The processing of DNA samples varies per company. From the moment the samples check in at the lab, it may take 4-8 weeks.