IAJGS

Last updated
International Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies (IAJGS)
IAJGS Logo Final Color.png
Foundedlate-1980s
Focus Genealogy, education
Area served
14 countries
Website www.iajgs.org

The International Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies, Inc., also known as IAJGS, is an independent non-profit umbrella organization coordinating the activities and annual conference of 84 Jewish genealogical societies worldwide.

An umbrella organization is an association of institutions, who work together formally to coordinate activities or pool resources. In business, political, or other environments, one group, the umbrella organization, provides resources and often an identity to the smaller organizations. Sometimes in this kind of arrangement, the umbrella organization is to some degree responsible for the groups under its care.

Convention (meeting) meeting of a (usually large) group of individuals and/or companies in a certain field

A convention, in the sense of a meeting, is a gathering of individuals who meet at an arranged place and time in order to discuss or engage in some common interest. The most common conventions are based upon industry, profession, and fandom. Trade conventions typically focus on a particular industry or industry segment, and feature keynote speakers, vendor displays, and other information and activities of interest to the event organizers and attendees. Professional conventions focus on issues of concern along with advancements related to the profession. Such conventions are generally organized by societies or communities dedicated to promotion of the topic of interest. Fan conventions usually feature displays, shows, and sales based on pop culture and guest celebrities. Science fiction conventions traditionally partake of the nature of both professional conventions and fan conventions, with the balance varying from one to another. Conventions also exist for various hobbies, such as gaming or model railroads.

A family history society or genealogical society is a society, often charitable or not-for-profit, that allows member genealogists and family historians to profit from shared knowledge. Large societies often own libraries, sponsor research seminars and foreign trips, and publish journals. Some societies concentrate on a specific niche, such as the family history of a particular geographical area, ethnicity, nationality, or religion. Lineage societies are societies that limit their membership to descendants of a particular person or group of people of historical importance.

Contents

History

The IAJGS was formed in the late-1980s. Rabbi Malcolm H. Stern and Sallyann Amdur Sack were instrumental in creating the initial concept, and assisted various member organizations with their formation.

Malcolm Henry Stern was an American rabbi, historian, and genealogist. Through the work he did that supported secular genealogical communities and resources, as well as created what is the structure and backbone of current Jewish genealogical societies, Stern's efforts created long-lasting, far-reaching cooperative organizations. For these reasons, Stern has been described as the dean of American Jewish genealogy.

Sallyann Amdur Sack is an American genealogist and psychologist, and editor of Avotaynu Magazine, a journal of Jewish Genealogy and scholarship. Sack is the only genealogist listed in Jewish Women in America. She was instrumental in founding the International Institute for Jewish Genealogy, Jewish Genealogy Society of Greater Washington, International Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies, and Avotaynu. Sack has chaired or co-chaired seven of the annual conferences on Jewish genealogy, authored seven books of use to genealogists and has consulted on numerous projects. A recipient of IAJGS Lifetime Achievement Award, she resides in Bethesda, Maryland, where she is a clinical psychologist in private practice, having received her degrees from Harvard University and George Washington University.

Annual conferences

The IAJGS coordinates an annual conference on Jewish genealogy, which takes place in a different city each year. [1] The conferences have an educational track and include opportunities for networking and meetings with SIGs and BOF groups. Topics like DNA testing are typically covered. [2] In recent years, attendees have described success stories after hitting research roadblocks. [3] [4]

Genealogy study of families and the tracing of their lineages and history

Genealogy is the study of families, family history, and the tracing of their lineages. Genealogists use oral interviews, historical records, genetic analysis, and other records to obtain information about a family and to demonstrate kinship and pedigrees of its members. The results are often displayed in charts or written as narratives. Although generally used interchangeably, the traditional definition of "genealogy" begins with a person who is usually deceased and traces his or her descendants forward in time, whereas, "family history" begins with a person who is usually living and traces his or her ancestors. Both the National Genealogical Society in the United States and the Society of Genealogists in the United Kingdom state that the word "genealogy" often refers to the scholarly discipline of researching lineages and connecting generations, whereas "family history" often refers to biographical studies of ones family, including family narratives and traditions.

Future conferences

Past conferences

International Jewish Genealogy Month

International Jewish Genealogy Month honors Jewish ancestors through the pursuit of Jewish family history research. IAJGS sponsors and supports International Jewish Genealogy Month by holding an annual poster contest. The goal of International Jewish Genealogy Month is to encourage Jewish genealogy and publicize JGS organizations and activities all over the world. [6] It is celebrated annually on the Hebrew month of Cheshvan. From 1999 through 2006, Avotaynu, Inc. promoted Jewish Genealogy Month until 2007 when IAJGS began sponsoring the event.

Cheshvan month of the Hebrew calendar

Marcheshvan, sometimes shortened to Cheshvan, is the second month of the civil year, and the eighth month of the ecclesiastical year on the Hebrew calendar.

Avotaynu: The International Review of Jewish Genealogy is a magazine that focuses on Jewish genealogy and family history published by Avotaynu Inc.. It was established in 1985. An index to the first 24 volumes is available. The magazine gets its name from the Hebrew word, avotaynu, which literally means "our fathers," but has come to mean "our ancestors."

Member organizations

IAJGS supported member organizations offer regular meetings and educational events, often centered around genealogical subjects like DNA genealogy and other specialized research. [7]

Jewish Genealogical Societies

Non-USA members

USA members

Topical members

Associate members

See also

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References

  1. Schmitt, Alyssa (24 July 2019). "International Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies conference bringing hundreds to Cleveland". Cleveland Jewish News.
  2. Siegel, Janis (17 May 2016). "Who's your daddy? Conference traces Jewish DNA back to Holy Land". The Times of Israel.
  3. Jacobs PhD, Diane (23 December 2016). "Genealogy success story: Family memory lost in Sudetenland". Heritage Florida Jewish News.
  4. Green, Gloria (23 June 2017). "Genealogy Success Story: Where's Froim? The sad story of a mystery solved". Heritage Florida Jewish News.
  5. "40th IAJGS International Conference on Jewish Genealogy". IAJGS. 2020.
  6. "IAJGS – Jewish Genealogy Month – About". IAJGS. Retrieved 6 September 2013.
  7. Fischer, Martin (14 April 2019). "Jewish Genealogical Society of Illinois to hold DNA conference for beginners and more experienced". Daily Herald (Arlington Heights, Illinois).