It's all relative: Jewish genealogy calendar for May
Programs focus on Latvia, German archives, a single surname project, the Davidic Dynasty reunion, a professional genealogist’s revealing take on black sheep, skeletons in the closet, Jewish genealogy in Barcelona and more
Whether you are thinking about beginning a family history project or have already begun your research, a professional genealogist’s English-language program in Tel Aviv on May 23, will offer a revealing talk on black sheep, and other discoveries made during his search for information.
A new group interested in Jewish genealogy is coming together in Barcelona, Spain, and a community-wide event on Thursday, May 25 will feature visiting Sephardic genealogy pioneer and author Dr. Jeffrey S. Malka (Virginia, US).
Malka is the award-winning author of Sephardic Genealogy: Discovering your Sephardic ancestors and their world, contributor to the Avotaynu Guide to Jewish Genealogy, and founder of the award-winning website Resources for Sephardic Genealogy. http://www.orthohelp.com/geneal/sefardim.htm
The program will be in English with simultaneous Spanish translation, at the Institute of North American Studies in Barcelona. Info: shemot.jgen@gmail.com.
If you’ve been procrastinating about attending the 26th IAJGS International Conference on Jewish Genealogy, don’t wait any longer as early discounts end May 15. There are now 250 program sessions in 23 categories over 5 1/2 days, offering lectures, panels, tracks, meetings of topical and geographical special interest groups, concerts, documentaries, new resources and much more. Go to www.jgsny2006.org for all details.
The preliminary program is now online – check it out.
7 p.m., Monday, May 8
IGS Tel Aviv - Hebrew
Dr. Martha Lev-Zion, president, IGS Negev branch
“Migration of Jews between Central and Eastern Europe as the origin of the Latvian Jewish community”
Lev-Zion, who has written extensively about the Jews of Franconia (Germany) and Courland (Latvia), is the past president of Latvia SIG, a member of the Courland Research Group steering committee, and a board member of the International Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies (IAJGS), the umbrella organization of some 80 worldwide societies.
Beit Hatanach, 16 Rothschild Blvd., Tel Aviv.
IGS members, no charge; others, NIS 20.
Library open: 6-6.45 p.m.
Info: Rose Feldman, rosef@post.tau.ac.il
7.30 pm, Wednesday, 10 May
JFRA Ra’anana - English
Chava Seller
"How I found out what happened to Uri's father"
After years of research, Chava will explain how she discovered what happened to her husband's father who disappeared in 1930s Germany. Her story – describing the countless letters, applications for information, dead ends and frustrations – concludes with her success. Through her experiences, learn "what is available where" in the German archives she searched.
Beit Fisher, 5 Klausner St., Ra'anana
Doors open 7 p.m, program begins at 7.30 p.m.
Fee including refreshments: JFRA members, NIS 5; others, NIS 20.
Info: Branch chair Ingrid Rockberger, ingrid@genealogy.org.il
7.30 p.m., Thursday, 11 May
JFRA Rehovot - English
Israel Pickholz
"The Pickholz Project Puzzles"
Pickholz will present studies from a single surname project. This type of project is growing in popularity, linking all people around the world bearing a single unusual surname, thus increasing resources and enabling individuals around the world to work on common interests and origins.
JFRA members, no charge; others, NIS 20.
For location (private home) and reservations contact
JFRA Rehovot chair Linda Geffon, linda@genealogy.org.il
6.30 p.m. Monday, May 15
IGS Netanya - English
Basil Sandler
“Distant Relatives: Time and Miles”
Sandler will show and explain interesting documents and photographs found in his
research.
AACI, 28 Shmuel Hanatziv, Netanya,
IGS members, no charge; others, NIS 20.
Info: Joe Isaacs, isaacsj@netvision.net.il
8 p.m., Wednesday, 17 May
JFRA Petah Tikva - English
Author/genealogist Chaim Freedman
"Davidic Dynasty: A preview of the 2007 Jerusalem reunion of descendants of King David"
Freedman, a prolific writer and researcher and one of the main forces behind this 2007 conference, has been a researcher for more than 40 years and specializes in rabbinic genealogy. He has authored several books, including Eliyahu's Branches, the Descendants of the Vilna Gaon and His Family (Avotaynu, 1997) and many journal articles.
Location: private home, Petah Tikvah
Reservations are essential.
Info/address/reservations: Gilda Kurtzman, gilda@genealogy.org.il or Susan Edel,
8 p.m. Tuesday, May 23
JFRA Tel Aviv - English
Michael Goldstein, professional genealogist
“Discoveries and skeletons in the closet”
Goldstein will discuss his personal and professional genealogical adventures with examples of black sheep, skeletons and revelations, while focusing on the importance of pursuing genealogy. This dual-purpose program is a good introduction for those considering the start of a family history quest, and will also interest those who have already begun their search.
Goldstein is a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists.
Bet Shalom, 2 Shir St., Tel Aviv
JFRA members, no charge; others, NIS 20
Info: Hinda Solomon, hinda@genealogy.org.il
International and future events
Thursday, May 25, Barcelona
Dr. Jeffrey S. Malka
English (Spanish simultaneous translation); award-winning author of Sephardic Genealogy: Discovering your Sephardic ancestors and their world, contributor to the Avotaynu Guide to Jewish Genealogy, founder of the award-winning website Resources for Sephardic Genealogy, http://www.orthohelp.com/geneal/sefardim.htm
Institute of North American Studies, Barcelona, Spain. Info: shemot.jgen@gmail.com
June 2006, Jerusalem
June is Genealogy Month at the Israel Genealogical Society’s Jerusalem branch, featuring a series of workshops and lectures, in English and Hebrew sessions. Info: www.isragen.org.il
3-6 July, Haifa
World Congress of the Jews from Egypt
In cooperation with Haifa University. Info: www.wcje.net
13-18 August, New York City
26th IAJGS International Conference on Jewish Genealogy
A 5 1/2-day conference covering every aspect of Jewish genealogy; 1,500-2,000 researchers and international experts are anticipated. For online program schedule, conference/hotel registration; full event details, www.jgsny2006.org
5-7 June 2007, Jerusalem
Eternal House of David Family Reunion
Historic gathering of descendants of the Royal House of David.
Info: www.davidicdynasty.org
