While we are talking about last name changes, can anyone explain why
my grandfather, Dov Ber Kissin >from Vitebsk, would choose the name
Cohen for his last name when he emigrated to the US? I was always
told that the family were not >from the priestly caste, but Israelites.

I have always been curious about that. Maybe someone here can explain.

Thanks,

Deb Skolnik