MY GREAT GREAT GRANDFATHER AND GRANDMOTHER ORIGINALLY FLED KIEV, UKRAINE IN 1903 AND TRAVELED TO SCOTLAND.

 

 MY GREAT GRANDMOTHER ESTHER NOVAK WED BEN COHEN AND THEN THEY  TRAVELED ON A 6 WEEK BOAT JOURNEY TO NEW ZEALAND, WHERE MY  GRANDMOTHER ESTHER COHEN BECAME A FAMOUS DRESS DESIGNER, SPECIFICALLY WEDDING DRESSES. IN ORDER TO HIDE THEIR JEWISH IDENTITY THEY CHANGED THEIR LAST NAME FROM COHEN TO COWAN.

 

Although throughout history our family has suffered for being Jewish, we are grateful that YAHWEH designated for us to be part of this lineage and be his 'KEEPERS OF THE BOOK'.  

​

Teach me, O YAHWEH, to follow your decrees; then I will keep them to the end. Give me understanding, and I will keep your Torah and obey it with all my heart. Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight. (Psalms 119:33-35)