John Berman's 'Roots'

Updated 10:04 AM ET, Tue October 14, 2014

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Inside the 339-year-old Portuguese Synagogue in Amsterdam, Netherlands, CNN's John Berman interviews Hetty Berg, chief curator and manager of museum affairs for the Jewish Historical Museum in Amsterdam. This historic synagogue was the center of the Jewish Quarter in Amsterdam during the 1700s and 1800s when Berman's ancestors lived there. It is still in use today.

Photos: John Berman's 'Roots'

John Berman's 'Roots' – Inside the 339-year-old Portuguese Synagogue in Amsterdam, Netherlands, CNN's John Berman interviews Hetty Berg, chief curator and manager of museum affairs for the Jewish Historical Museum in Amsterdam. This historic synagogue was the center of the Jewish Quarter in Amsterdam during the 1700s and 1800s when Berman's ancestors lived there. It is still in use today.

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Arriving in Amsterdam in late August, Berman surveys the historic landscape -- or make that "canalscape" -- where his ancestors once lived.

Photos: John Berman's 'Roots'

John Berman's 'Roots' – Arriving in Amsterdam in late August, Berman surveys the historic landscape -- or make that "canalscape" -- where his ancestors once lived.

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Photos: John Berman's 'Roots'

John Berman's 'Roots' – Despite a Nazi invasion, the Portuguese Synagogue in Amsterdam was unharmed during World War II.

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Photos: John Berman's 'Roots'

John Berman's 'Roots' – Inside the synagogue are these Torah scrolls from the 17th century.

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While investigating his ancestry, Berman checked to see whether there was any similarity between him and a reproduction of the Dutch philosopher Baruch Spinoza. Spinoza was the maiden name of Berman's grandmother.

Photos: John Berman's 'Roots'

John Berman's 'Roots' – While investigating his ancestry, Berman checked to see whether there was any similarity between him and a reproduction of the Dutch philosopher Baruch Spinoza. Spinoza was the maiden name of Berman's grandmother.

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Spinoza lived in this quaint home in the Dutch countryside. He wrote philosophy books there and was a lens grinder for a while. It is now a museum.

Photos: John Berman's 'Roots'

John Berman's 'Roots' – Spinoza lived in this quaint home in the Dutch countryside. He wrote philosophy books there and was a lens grinder for a while. It is now a museum.

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Berman samples a "stroopwafel," a Dutch treat literally translated as "syrup waffle." It is made from two thin layers of baked dough with a caramel-like syrup filling in the middle.

Photos: John Berman's 'Roots'

John Berman's 'Roots' – Berman samples a "stroopwafel," a Dutch treat literally translated as "syrup waffle." It is made from two thin layers of baked dough with a caramel-like syrup filling in the middle.

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Photos: John Berman's 'Roots'

John Berman's 'Roots' – You have to go on a canal ride if visiting Amsterdam, and Berman got the scenic route while searching for his roots.

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Berman reveals his mission to find his "inner Spinoza" while sitting next the statue honoring the Dutch philosopher in Amsterdam.

Photos: John Berman's 'Roots'

John Berman's 'Roots' – Berman reveals his mission to find his "inner Spinoza" while sitting next the statue honoring the Dutch philosopher in Amsterdam.

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Berman reveals the results of his search to his dad, Gerry Berman, while visiting the site of their Dutch ancestors now buried in Boston.

Photos: John Berman's 'Roots'

John Berman's 'Roots' – Berman reveals the results of his search to his dad, Gerry Berman, while visiting the site of their Dutch ancestors now buried in Boston.

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