Jewish Genealogical Society of Toronto

Board Meeting
2025-02-10 19:30 - 21:30, 2024-12-09 19:30 - 21:30, 2024-10-07 19:30 - 21:30 (America/Toronto)

JGS Toronto: Educational Event - Introduction to Genealogy
2025-02-05 14:00 - 16:00 | “Beth Avraham Yoseph of Toronto (BAYT)” , 613 Clarke St. Thornhill Ontario, 613 Clarke St., Thornhill, Ontario, Canada
Speaker: Jerry Scherer
Venue: Beth Avraham Yoseph of Toronto (BAYT)
613 Clark Ave,
Thornhill, ON

JGS Toronto: Educational Event - Introduction to Genealogy
2025-01-29 14:00 - 16:00
Speaker: Jerry Sherer
Venue: Beth Avraham Synagogue
613 Clark Ave,
Thornhill, ON

Jewish Family Research at the Genealogy Center in Fort Wayne, Indiana
2025-01-22 19:30 - 21:30 | Virtual
Speaker Curt Witcher

JEWISH GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY OF TORONTO
Wednesday, 22 January 2025, 7:30 p.m.
ON ZOOM ONLY
Making the Genealogy Center in Fort Wayne, IN, Your Research Assistant
With an Emphasis on Jewish Family History Research
The Genealogy Center at the Allen County Public Library is one of the largest publicly available family history research centres in North America and holds a significant collection of Canadian records. The presentation will cover how to explore the expansive holdings and data files of the Genealogy Center, whether to help plan a research trip to Fort Wayne in conjunction with attending the 2025 IAJGS conference or to use the center remotely.
Curt B. Witcher, manager of the Genealogy Center and Director of Special Collections, will be our guide. He is a former president of both the Federation of Genealogical Societies and the National Genealogical Society, and the founding president of the Indiana Genealogical Society. He also serves on the Northeast Indiana Jewish Genealogy Society board of directors. Over several decades, Curt has led collaborative national efforts to preserve and make more accessible historical data.

JGS Toronto: Educational Event - Introduction to Genealogy
2025-01-22 14:00 - 16:00, 2025-01-15 14:00 - 16:00 | “Beth Avraham Yoseph of Toronto (BAYT)” , 613 Clarke St. Thornhill Ontario, 613 Clarke St., Thornhill, Ontario, Canada

Board Meeting
2025-01-13 19:30 - 21:30, 2024-11-04 19:30 - 21:30

JGS Toronto Virtual Event: DNA Special Interest Group
2025-01-12 10:30 - 12:00
JEWISH GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY OF TORONTO

DNA SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP (SIG)
Q&A WORKSHOP
Featuring our JGS Toronto members,
Gil Bardige and Arthur Sissman

Sunday, 12 January 2025 at 10:30 am. ET
VIRTUAL MEETING: Join from Home
Virtual doors open at 10:20 a.m. ET
We are pleased to announce the return of our DNA Special Interest Group (SIG) program this year, featuring our esteemed members Gil Bardige and Arthur Sissman, both recognized as experts in Jewish DNA.
All are invited to participate in our 4-part DNA Q&A Special Interest Group (SIG) meeting! Our DNA experts will commence the session with a brief educational presentation covering the basics of DNA or strategies for interpreting test results.
4-part DNA Q&A series on Sundays at 10:30 am ET.
12 January 2025
9 March 2025
4 May 2025
Here’s your chance to send in your DNA-related inquiries to our experts, who are here to aid your research. When you submit your questions, there might be a request for consent to potentially share your screen, DNA match names, and family tree members. This sharing enables others to learn from the techniques used by our experts. Please be sure to include comprehensive details with your question, highlighting your previous research. You’ll find the questionnaire form available on the registration page – please send your submissions before Monday, 28 Oct 2024. This deadline ensures that our maven can contact you for any extra information, if required.

Gil Bardige, originally from Chicago, has been a genealogist for over 40 years and a genetic genealogist since 2007. He has tested at the 4 major testing companies and is the Co-Administrator of 3 projects at FTDNA including Jewish R1B and R-A11711 Subclade Projects. He is Chair of the Columbus Ohio JGS, a volunteer at IAJGS Conferences (including the Program Committee), and Director of the Mentoring Program. Gil is a firm believer that you can use DNA results as a tool in your genealogy research. Over the last five years, he has regularly helped people navigate their DNA matches by speaking at dozens of Jewish genealogical societies. After his presentations, people say: “Thank you, Gil, I am no longer confused!”

Arthur Sissman, from Naples FL, has been engaged in family history genealogy since 1999 and genetic genealogy (DNA) since 2015. Arthur has built over 60 family history trees for his various family surname lines. In addition, he has tested his autosomal DNA at all the major DNA testing companies, and his Y-DNA and MtDNA at FamilyTreeDNA. Using his 3 Legged Stool Protocol – focusing on Surname, Place and DNA, Arthur has found relatives previously unknown to him and has built a current tree out to 1500 people, from Galicia/Romania, with over 50+ DNA matches across all branches. For information on Arthur’s Jewish Genealogy SIG monthly meetings and scheduled workshops, email genresearch13@yahoo.com.

To register for the DNA SIG event , please go to jgstoronto.ca/register. The questionnaire form can be found below the registration link.
You will then receive an immediate acknowledgement plus the link to access the event.

JGS Toronto: Educational Program - Introduction to Genealogy
2025-01-08 14:00 - 16:00 | “Beth Avraham Yoseph of Toronto (BAYT)” , 613 Clarke St. Thornhill Ontario, 613 Clarke St., Thornhill, Ontario, Canada
Speaker: Jerry Scherer
Venue: Beth Avraham Yoseph of Toronto (BAYT)
613 Clark Ave, Thornhill ON
This program will extend over 5 consecutive Wednesdays from January 8th to Feb. 5th 2025
Time: 2.00 pm

Stranger in the Desert: A Family Story
2024-12-18 19:30 - 21:30 | Virtual
Stranger in the Desert: A Family Story
Jordan Salama
Jewish Genealogical Society of Toronto
in partnership with
Jewish Genealogical Society of Montreal
and
Jewish Genealogical Society of Ottawa
Wednesday, 18 December 2024 at 7:30 pm ET
ZOOM ONLY
Through a discussion of his recently published book Stranger in the Desert: A Family Story, acclaimed writer and journalist Jordan Salama will introduce us to his unique style of gathering and preserving family stories.
During his presentation, Jordan will share his research, interviewing, and writing tips including: the diverse ways our families preserve and pass on our histories and understanding how our family stories manifest themselves in our everyday lives. He will provide guidance on using social media and technology to enhance family research, and how to plan a family research trip.
Jordan Salama is an American writer of Argentine, Syrian, and Iraqi Jewish descent focusing on culture and migration in the Americas. A graduate from Princeton University in 2019, Jordan has published extensively and has worked on important radio and television shows. His first book, Every Day the River Changes, was named a Kirkus Reviews Best Book of 2021 and
a top new travel book by The New York Times. His latest book, Stranger in the Desert: A Family Story was published in February 2024 and has already garnered significant attention around the world.
This special program is open exclusively to paid-up members of the three societies.
A link will be sent in an e-blast to our members.

Genealogy in the Digital Age
2024-11-24 14:00 - 17:00 | “Beth Avraham Yoseph of Toronto (BAYT)” , 613 Clarke St. Thornhill Ontario, 613 Clarke St., Thornhill, Ontario, Canada
Presenter : Jerry Scherer

The Jews of Lithuania: Heroes of Vilna
2024-11-20 16:00 - 18:00 | Virtual
Global Heritage SIG

JGS Toronto - Genealogy in the Digital Age (Outreach Program
2024-11-20 14:00 - 16:30 | “Beth Avraham Yoseph of Toronto (BAYT)” , 613 Clarke St. Thornhill Ontario, 613 Clarke St., Thornhill, Ontario, Canada
Speaker: Jerry Scherer
Location: Beth Avraham Yoseph of Toronto (BAYT)
613 Clark Ave. Thornhill

Friends, Foes, and Family: A Millennium of Jewish Life in Ukraine
2024-11-17 10:30 - 12:30
Friends, Foes, and Family: A Millennium of Jewish Life in Ukraine
Jewish Genealogical Society of Toronto
Sunday, 17 November 2024, 10:30 a.m.
In person and on ZOOM
Shaarei Shomayim, 470 Glencairn Avenue, Toronto
Dr. Lev Daschko

Dr. Daschko will talk about the long history of Jewish life in Ukraine, with an emphasis on the interactions between Jews and non-Jews. The talk incorporates maps and images to illustrate the complicated history of Ukrainian Jews (past and present) under the various regimes and empires that ruled the country. He will address the longstanding myths surrounding Ukraine, Ukrainians, and Ukrainian-Jewish relations. Finally, there will be a look at Jewish food, holidays, and language to understand Jewish life in Ukraine.

Dr. Lev Daschko is a Canadian historian who specializes in 19th century Ukrainian-Jewish relations. His MA thesis was on the experiment of Jewish National Autonomy in the short-lived Ukrainian People’s Republic (1917–18). Lev’s dissertation topic is entitled Steam Engines, Postcards, and White Table Linens: Technology and Modernity in Austrian-ruled Chernivtsi and Bukovina (1861–1914). He received his PhD from Northwestern University in June 2024.

To register, please visit jgstoronto.ca/register

Submission Deadline for December Issue
2024-11-15 08:00 - 17:00
Shem Tov

JGS Toronto Poland Special Interest Group (Special Presentation)
2024-11-14 19:30 - 21:00
In conjunction with the release of A Real Pain from Searchlight Pictures on November 15th at theaters everywhere, JGST is presenting a special webinar on Thursday November 14th, at 7:30 pm to assist attendees in doing research into their Polish ancestry as below.

Sorry for the short timeline but we would appreciate your spreading the word as well in order to let everyone know about this special workshop event.
A REAL PAIN, written, directed, and starring Jesse Eisenberg, follows two estranged cousins who travel to Poland to trace their Jewish roots after the death of their grandmother. As they delve into the trauma of their shared history, they’re confronted with a complex and often darkly comedic journey of family, memory, and identity. The film blends poignant moments with humor, offering a unique perspective on generational trauma and the process of healing. The film has been featured at the Sundance Film Festival and the New York Film Festival. The trailer for the film can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2et8Vpu7Ls
The JGST webinar/workshop is open to everyone at no charge and part of the continuing support that JGST provides to our community at large to enhance and assist in genealogical research of family history.

The event is also being promoted by Searchlight Pictures at their preview screenings, etc…

The registration link is:

https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIodumqqz8iH9CgBNNM5et9rk8TZVPkGXKW#/registration

The Jews of Lithuania: Nazis and Destruction
2024-11-13 16:00 - 18:00 | Virtual

IAJGS 2025 Conference Virtual Information Session
2024-11-10 14:00 - 16:30
45th IAJGS International Conference on Jewish Genealogy
Information Session
Sunday, 10 November 2024 at 2:00 p.m.
via Zoom
The 45th IAJGS International Conference on Jewish Genealogy is coming to Fort Wayne, Indiana, from Sunday, August 10 to Thursday, August 14, 2025.
The International Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies holds a conference in the summer of each year, drawing hundreds of genealogists from around the world. Programs and workshops are offered on a wide variety of topics, special events with Research Divisions focus on a particular country or geographical area, and well-known speakers come to present at keynote and banquet events.
Fort Wayne is among the fastest-growing cities in the U.S. Midwest and is known for its exceptional genealogical capability through the Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center, one of the largest family history research centers in the world. The collection of more than 1.2 million physical items is completely open and available to researchers. Resources of interest to Jewish researchers include a large collection of Yizkor books, Temple and synagogue histories, Jewish periodicals, diaries and personal memoirs, and the “Jewish Life in America, c1654-1954” database from the American Jewish Historical Society.
A virtual informational program will be held on Sunday, 10 November 2024 at 2:00 p.m. Eastern time. The program will include information about Jewish research at the Genealogy Center, an introduction to Fort Wayne, and opportunities for questions about the conference. For more information, to register for the November program, or to sign up for the conference e-mail list, visit www.iajgs2025.org. We look forward to hosting you in Fort Wayne in 2025!

JGS Toronto Virtual Event: DNA Special Interest Group
2024-11-03 10:30 - 12:00
JEWISH GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY OF TORONTO

DNA SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP (SIG)
Q&A WORKSHOP
Featuring our JGS Toronto members,
Gil Bardige and Arthur Sissman

Sunday, 3 November 2024 at 10:30 am. ET
VIRTUAL MEETING: Join from Home
Virtual doors open at 10:20 a.m. ET
We are pleased to announce the return of our DNA Special Interest Group (SIG) program this year, featuring our esteemed members Gil Bardige and Arthur Sissman, both recognized as experts in Jewish DNA.
All are invited to participate in our 4-part DNA Q&A Special Interest Group (SIG) meeting! Our DNA experts will commence the session with a brief educational presentation covering the basics of DNA or strategies for interpreting test results.
4-part DNA Q&A series on Sundays at 10:30 am ET.
3 November 2024
12 January 2025
9 March 2025
4 May 2025

Here’s your chance to send in your DNA-related inquiries to our experts, who are here to aid your research. When you submit your questions, there might be a request for consent to potentially share your screen, DNA match names, and family tree members. This sharing enables others to learn from the techniques used by our experts. Please be sure to include comprehensive details with your question, highlighting your previous research. You’ll find the questionnaire form available on the registration page – please send your submissions before Monday, 28 Oct 2024. This deadline ensures that our maven can contact you for any extra information, if required.

Gil Bardige, originally from Chicago, has been a genealogist for over 40 years and a genetic genealogist since 2007. He has tested at the 4 major testing companies and is the Co-Administrator of 3 projects at FTDNA including Jewish R1B and R-A11711 Subclade Projects. He is Chair of the Columbus Ohio JGS, a volunteer at IAJGS Conferences (including the Program Committee), and Director of the Mentoring Program. Gil is a firm believer that you can use DNA results as a tool in your genealogy research. Over the last five years, he has regularly helped people navigate their DNA matches by speaking at dozens of Jewish genealogical societies. After his presentations, people say: “Thank you, Gil, I am no longer confused!”

Arthur Sissman, from Naples FL, has been engaged in family history genealogy since 1999 and genetic genealogy (DNA) since 2015. Arthur has built over 60 family history trees for his various family surname lines. In addition, he has tested his autosomal DNA at all the major DNA testing companies, and his Y-DNA and MtDNA at FamilyTreeDNA. Using his 3 Legged Stool Protocol – focusing on Surname, Place and DNA, Arthur has found relatives previously unknown to him and has built a current tree out to 1500 people, from Galicia/Romania, with over 50+ DNA matches across all branches. For information on Arthur’s Jewish Genealogy SIG monthly meetings and scheduled workshops, email genresearch13@yahoo.com.

To register for the DNA SIG event , please go to jgstoronto.ca/register. The questionnaire form can be found below the registration link.
You will then receive an immediate acknowledgement plus the link to access the event.

The Jews of Lithuania: Lithuania Emerges
2024-10-30 16:00 - 18:00 | Virtual

Family Tree Maker Special Interest Group (SIG
2024-10-08 19:30 - 21:30
We will explore and discuss the upcoming new version of Family Tree Maker (FTM 2024) with Family Tree Maker’s Mark Olson.

This special FTM SIG meeting is open to our members and the global community.

Some of the topics we will discuss are:

A quick review of the current Family Tree Maker edition.
Family Tree Maker is already an amazing program with many underused features.
Connect! A completely new workspace and new Relative Hint™ feature that make it easier than ever to share your tree and collaborate with your family.
Easy on the Eyes™: a revolutionary way of enlarging parts of the screen right when you need it. An answer and relief for those of us with tired old eyes.
Hyphenated dual surnames support following Hispanic tradition.
Improved support for managing and reporting relationships.
Tools for cleaning up orphaned items (media, sources, and citations).
New improvements to Family Tree Maker Connect, and using Family Tree Maker Connect for yourself.
Introducing AlbumWALK® — Making your photos talk — literally.
Working seamlessly between Family Tree Maker and AlbumWALK.
Q & A.

We invite members and guests to attend this introductory by registering at jgstoronto.ca/register

The Jews of Lithuania: Life Under the Czars
2024-09-25 16:00 - 18:00 | Virtual

The Jews of Lithuania: Growth of Economic and Intellectual Life & Birth of Hassidism
2024-09-18 16:00 - 18:00

Writing Workshop #2
2024-09-15 10:00 - 12:00 | Virtual
Anniversary
Speaker Lil Blume

Shem Tov Submission Deadline
2024-09-15
Please submit your contribution to Shem Tov by today (Sept. 15) if you wish to have it published in the December Issue.

The Jews of Lithuania: The Beginnings in Pagan Lithuania
2024-09-11 16:00 - 18:00 | Virtual
Global Heritage SIG
Zoom Meeting

Board Meeting
2024-09-09 19:30 - 22:00 | Virtual
Speaker: Steven Brock
Zoom meeting
