Jewish Genealogical Society of Toronto

Writers’ Workshop
2024-06-23 10:00 - 12:00 (America/Toronto) | Shaarei Shomayim Congregation, 470 Glencairn Ave., Toronto, Ontario, M5N 1V8, Canada
Lil Blume will be conducting a writing workshop for members who wish to hone their skills in telling their family story. Lil has held a number of workshops for our members over the years and greatly helped those that wished to contribute to our award winning book “Tracing our Roots; Telling Our Stories”.
The Jewish Genealogy Society of Toronto is celebrating its 40th Anniversary and we are encouraging members who wish to share a particularly interesting story about a family member or event in their history that may be published in the 2nd edition of Tracing Our Roots.
Email Les Kelman, lkelman@jgstoronto.ca if you plan to attend. All members are welcome.

Place: Sharrei Shomayim Congregation
Date: June 23rd
Time: 10:00 am

Brick Walls and Breakthroughs
2024-06-19 19:30 - 21:00
BRICK WALLS AND BREAKTHROUGHS
ZOOM Meeting
Wednesday, 19 June 2024, at 7:30 p.m.
Steven Brock has traced his roots in Russia and Poland to the late 1700s. He has been a member of Montreal and Hamilton JGS and now, Toronto. Steven has also been involved in various projects and is an avid researcher and genealogist.
Discovering My Elusive Family — from Poland to France to Canada In 2012, by sheer luck, Steven was contacted by a long-lost cousin. He was then able to re-establish common roots and to add dozens of family members to the family tree.
Sharon Fingold was born and raised in California, where she still resides. She became interested in genealogy when she was introduced to relatives during her college years in the East. She met more of them in Toronto and joined JGS Toronto. Sharon has been researching her roots for the past 40 years.
Feingolds, Fingolds, Morrises, and Taratutas: Who came first? What was the common connection? How did we end up in Toronto in the 1920s and 1930s? The presentation will show how interviews, records, and Ancestry data helped the family to answer these questions.
Jerry Scherer is a Vice President of our Society. A retired teacher, he is an active and knowledgeable genealogist. Jerry will demonstrate how AI solved two challenging photo genealogy puzzles and uncovered the names of three relatives who fought for the Soviet Army in Operation Barbarossa.
Henry Wellisch is the honourary president of JGS Toronto. He was born in Vienna, escaped from there and ended up as a prisoner in Mauritius. After liberation, Henry moved to Israel and eventually to Canada.
Recently, through a friend and his brother, Henry was reunited with a former co-prisoner from Mauritius. Their story is the focus of Henry’s presentation.

Board Meeting
2024-06-10 19:30 - 21:00, 2024-05-13 19:30 - 21:00, 2024-04-08 19:30 - 21:00, 2024-03-11 19:30 - 21:00, 2024-02-12 19:30 - 21:00

DNA SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP (SIG) Q&A WORKSHOP
2024-06-09 10:30 - 13:00
DNA SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP (SIG)
Q&A WORKSHOP
Featuring our JGS Toronto members,
Gil Bardige and Arthur Sissman

Sunday, 9 June 2024 at 10:30 am. ET
VIRTUAL MEETING: Join from Home
Virtual doors open at 10:20 a.m. ET
All are invited to participate in the second segment of 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.
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 14 January. This deadline ensures that our mavens 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.

FAQ for this program

Who may register for this program?
Public

Is it being recorded?
Yes

Is the recording available to members
Yes

Is the recording available to non-members
No

Annual General Meeting
2024-05-26 10:00 - 12:00

JGST in Partnership with Classi Learning: The Search for Home: The DP Camps in Postwar Europe
2024-05-16 16:00 - 17:00
The Classi Lectures are free to members of the Jewish Genealogy Society of Toronto.
Speaker: Ann Dublin: After World War II, approximately 250,000 Holocaust survivors lived in displaced persons (DP) camps, mainly in Austria and Germany. Most of them were stuck in these DP camps for years until they were allowed to immigrate to other countries, like Israel, the U.S. and Canada. Why did these people flee their home countries to search for safety in the DP camps? What were conditions like in the camps, and how did the refugees cope with often difficult circumstances? This is a story of courage, resourcefulness, and ultimately of hope.
At the End of WWII – The Displaced Persons Camps (DP) – Classi Learning

JGS Toronto: Virtual Event - Classi Lecture 8: The Eichmann Trial
2024-05-15 16:00 - 17:00
This is the 8th and final series on Hungary hosted by Classi Lectures. Trudy Gold speaks on the Eichmann Trial.
The Classi Lecture series is free to JGS Toronto members.
Members may register for this event by clicking on this link

JGS Toronto in partnership with Classi Learning: "The Bricha: The Jewish Underground Railroad"
2024-05-09 16:00 - 17:00
This is a virtual event is free to members of the Jewish Genealogy Society of Toronto. Register here: https://jgstoronto.ca/registration-for-member-only-programs/
Speaker: Anne Dublin
How did Holocaust survivors manage to leave Eastern Europe and find safety in displaced persons camps, mainly in Austria and Germany, after World War II? The survivors weren’t whisked away by magic carpet. What helped tens of thousands of people was an organization called the “Bricha”, which means “flight” in Hebrew.
This is a lecture about why Holocaust survivors were desperate to flee from their home countries, and the network of people and organizations that helped them. It’s a story of great risk, personal sacrifice, and ultimately, of hope.
At the End of WW II – “The story of the Bricha” the Jewish Underground Railroad – Classi Learning

JGS Toronto: Virtual Event - Classi Lecture 7: State of Israel vs Malachiel Gruenwald - "The Kastner Trial"
2024-05-08 16:00 - 17:00
This a continuation of the Classi Lecture series on Hungary. Trudy Gold speaks on the infamous Kastner Trial in Israel.

Members of JGS Toronto can register clicking on this link: Members Area of the website. This series is free to our Members.

Poland SIG
2024-05-07 19:30 - 21:30
Poland SIG
by zoom
The Poland SIG is available to JGST members only and the zoom registration is available on our JGST website in the members section.
click this link

JGST and Classi Learning: "The Last Train" with Rona Arato
2024-05-02 16:00 - 17:00
As part of our continued partnership with Classi Learning JGS Toronto members can attend selected Classi lectures at no cost.
“The Last Train” tells the gripping story of young brothers Paul and Oscar Arato and their mother Lenke surviving the Nazi occupation during World War II. Living in Hungary, they initially feel insulated from the war until HItler breaks his promise, forcing them into increasingly dire situations: a ghetto, a labor camp, and finally Bergen Belsen. Separated from their father, the boys care for their sick mother and the horrors of the camp. As hope flickers with the sight of British planes, they are herded into a train, fearing death. Miraculously, the train is discovered by American soldiers, leading to liberation.
The book ends with Paul, now in Canada, discovering the photos of is liberation online and facing the choice of confronting his past at a reunion in New York. At the End of WWII: “The Last Train” an Amazing story of survival – Classi Learning

“Clued-In: More Cases from Sherlock Cohn, The Photo Genealogist”
2024-04-17 19:30 - 21:00
Wednesday, 17 April 2024, 7:30 p.m.
On ZOOM
CLUED-IN: Case studies from Sherlock Cohn, The Photo Genealogist
Clued -In: More cases from Sherlock Cohn, The Photo Genealogist
The best way to analyze family photographs is by example. This new presentation,
completed in 2023, a sequel to the popular “Clued-In: Case Studies from Sherlock
Cohn”, presents more cases to illustrate the methodology of Photo Genealogy. The
program is designed to help participants explain the mystery photographs found in their
shoeboxes, jewelry boxes and photo albums. After a brief discussion to be asked of
every photograph, Sherlock will present a variety of her most challenging cases among
the thousands she has analyzed since 2009. The mysteries chosen represent common
problems genealogists face in deciphering the clues in their family photographs
including how to accurately date a photograph, how to identify individuals in
photographs, how to determine the correct generation and how to interpret clues from
the past. Whether a participant is new to exploring family photographs or a seasoned
veteran of photo sleuthing, there will be more tips and tricks on how to get the most
information from their photographs. Cases will include “The Case of the Mystery Pin”,
“The Case of the Lady in the Locket”, “The Case of the Trombonist’s Mum”, and “The
Case of the DP Monument”.

DNA Special Interest Group Q&A Workshop Part 3
2024-04-14 10:30 - 13:00
DNA SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP (SIG)
Q&A WORKSHOP
Featuring our JGS Toronto members,
Gil Bardige and Arthur Sissman

Sunday, 14 April 2024 at 10:30 am. ET
VIRTUAL MEETING: Join from Home
Virtual doors open at 10:30 a.m. ET
All are invited to participate in the second segment of 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.
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 14 January. This deadline ensures that our mavens 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.

FAQ for this program

Who may register for this program?
Public

Is it being recorded?
Yes

Is the recording available to members
Yes

Is the recording available to non-members
No

JGS Toronto Virtual Event: “Know Your Society” SIG
2024-04-03 19:30 - 21:00
Join Us for the Inaugural
Know Your Society Special Interest Group Meeting!
3 April 2024, 7:30 p.m. via ZOOM
Mel Fishman, SIG Co-ordinator
We are excited to announce the launch of a new series of Special Interest Groups (SIGs) aimed at enriching our understanding of Jewish genealogy and the vital work of our society.
Join us to learn about our society’s important projects, starting with our work on southern Ontario’s Jewish cemeteries. We are actively indexing and publishing records of those buried in these cemeteries, ensuring that their memory and legacy are preserved for future generations.
We’ll explain the goals and objectives of JGS Toronto’s Cemetery Project, briefly review its history, and discuss how and from where information is obtained, and what is done with that information. We’ll also discuss the cemeteries that are included in the project and the current status of the project. And most importantly, we’ll discuss how the project’s activities can advance your family history research. Bring your questions – about cemeteries, headstones, the Cemetery Project, the JewishGen Online Worldwide Burial Registry (JOWBR), and Jewish burial traditions. And, if there’s time, we can also provide “on-the-fly” headstone translations.
These SIGs are open to all members, offering a unique opportunity to delve into our society’s initiatives. Future SIGs will explore additional projects and initiatives, showcasing the diverse work of the Jewish Genealogical Society of Toronto, and the opportunity for you to also take part in these exciting initiatives and projects.
We look forward to your participation in and engagement with this special series. Stay tuned for details on upcoming SIGs and how you can get involved.

JGS Toronto: Virtual Event - “Unearthing the Story in Your Family Tree”
2024-03-20 19:30 - 21:00
Wednesday, 20 March 2024, 7:30 p.m.
ZOOM ONLY
Unearthing the Story in Your Family Tree
Meryl Frank
As genealogy enthusiasts we have become expert at tracing the relatives in our family tree, but those names and dates tell only part of the story. Deeper research is necessary to fill out the character of our relatives, the context of their lives, and the rationale for life decisions made generations ago that affect our lives even today.

Meryl Frank, author of Unearthed: A Lost Actress, A Forbidden Book and a Search for Life in the Shadow of the Holocaust, will discuss her search for her own family stories.She will discuss her deep dive into genealogical and historical research online, through interviews, and in archives all over the world, to uncover the stories behind the names on her tree; and she will offer tips on how to start writing your own family history.

JGS Toronto: Virtual Event - Classi Lecture 6 - Good and Evil:
2024-03-13 16:00 - 17:00
This is a continuation of the Classi Lecture Series on Hungary with Trudy Gold.
Lecture 6: Good and Evil:
Wallenberg and Lutz Rescuers, Arrow Cross, Hungarian Murderers.
This lecture series is free to the members of JGS Toronto. Click here to register

JGS Toronto: Virtual Event - Classi Lectures - The Nazis invade and Eichmann Arrives
2024-03-06 16:00 - 17:00
Lecture # 5
This is a continuation of the Classi Lecture Series on Hungary. Trudy Gold speaks on the Nazi invasion of Hungary, the arrival of Adolph Eichmann and the “Strange Story of Kastner”. Members can attend for free by registering on the Front Page of the website.

JGS Toronto: Virtual Event - Classi Lectures: The Kasztner Train
2024-02-28 16:00 - 17:00
JGS TORONTO GLOBAL HERITAGE SIG and CLASSI LECTURES
As part of our continued partnership with Classi Lectures, JGS Toronto members can attend selected Classi lectures at no cost. Learn about the incredible history of the Jews of Hungary.
THE JEWS OF HUNGARY – A 8-PART SERIES WITH TRUDY GOLD,
Wednesdays at 4 p.m. ET
0n the eve of World War II, the Jewish community was the second largest in Europe, numbering almost 900,000 people, despite 100,000 having emigrated 1881-1914. The History of the Jews of the Hungarian lands is an extraordinary one dating back nearly 2,000 years. They lived under Roman, Tribal, Christian and Moslem rule. The Jews were prominent in every walk of life – Politics, Science, Invention, Music, Theatre, Film, Banking, Business and the Professions. The Jews made up 23% of the population of the Capital, leading Budapest to be referred to as Judapest.
This course will explore the triumphs and tragedy of this extraordinary community.
28 February – Anna Porter on her book, The Kasztner Train
Click here to register for the Kastner Train (JGS Toronto members link)
6 Mar (NEW DATE) – Lecture 5: The Nazis invade, and Eichmann Arrives in Hungary. The Strange Story of Kastner Members click here to register for free
13 Mar (NEW DATE) – Lecture 6: Good and Evil : Wallenberg and Lutz Rescuers, Arrow Cross, Hungarian murderers
8 May – Lecture 7: State of Israel v Malachiel Gruenwald – “ The Kastner Trial”
15 May – Lecture 8: The Eichmann Trial

JGS Toronto Members. Registration at no cost at:
https://jgstoronto.ca/registration-for-member-only-programs/
Non-Members: Registration via Classi Lectures at the lecture links above.
Contact jscherer@jgstoronto.ca to join/register as a JGS Toronto member.
Note: The zoom link will be sent to you on the morning of the lecture.
To discover how culture and learning unite through online lectures and in-person travels,
please visit Classi Learning.
Members can register for any of these lectures for free:. Click here to register

JGS Toronto Virtual Event - Poland Special Interest Group
2024-02-22 19:30 - 21:00
This is a Members Only virtual event. SIG Leader: Hazel Boon. Topic: Back to Basics

JGS Toronto Zoom Event - Advance your Genealogical Research in Bessarabia/Moldova
2024-02-21 19:30 - 21:00
Guest Speaker is Yefim Kogan who emigrated to the U.S. in 1989 from Kishinev in Moldova. Open this link for details.

JGS Toronto: Virtual Lecture - Classi Lectures: Hungary 1919 - 1944 and the Fate of the Jews
2024-02-21 16:00 - 17:00
This is a continuation of the lecture series on Hungary hosted by Trudy Gold of Classi Lectures. Hungary 1919 – 1944 and the Fate of the Jews
JGS TORONTO GLOBAL HERITAGE SIG and CLASSI LECTURES
As part of our continued partnership with Classi Lectures, JGS Toronto members can attend selected Classi lectures at no cost. Learn about the incredible history of the Jews of Hungary.
THE JEWS OF HUNGARY – A 8-PART SERIES WITH TRUDY GOLD,
plus, Anna Porter on her book, The Kasztner Train
0n the eve of World War II, the Jewish community was the second largest in Europe, numbering almost 900,000 people, despite 100,000 having emigrated 1881-1914. The History of
This course will explore the triumphs and tragedy of this extraordinary community.
21 February – Lecture 4: Hungary 1919-1944 and the Fate of the Jews
28 February – Anna Porter on her book, The Kasztner Train
6 Mar (NEW DATE) – Lecture 5: The Nazis invade, and Eichmann Arrives in Hungary. The Strange Story of Kastner
13 Mar (NEW DATE) – Lecture 6: Good and Evil : Wallenberg and Lutz Rescuers, Arrow Cross, Hungarian murderers
8 May – Lecture 7: State of Israel v Malachiel Gruenwald – “ The Kastner Trial”
15 May – Lecture 8: The Eichmann Trial

JGS Toronto Members. Registration at no cost at:
https://jgstoronto.ca/registration-for-member-only-programs/

Non-Members: Registration via Classi Lectures at the lecture links above.
Contact jscherer@jgstoronto.ca to join/register as a JGS Toronto member.
Note: The zoom link will be sent to you on the morning of the lecture.
To discover how culture and learning unite through online lectures and in-person travels,
please visit Classi Learning.
The Classi Lecture Series is free to Members of JGS Toronto. Click here to register

JGST Virtual Event: Classi Lectures: The "Jewish/Soviet" Revolution, the White Terror, and Admiral Horthy Triumphant
2024-02-14 16:00 - 17:00
This is a continuation of the Classi Lecture Series on the Soviet Union and Hungary. Trudy Gold speaks on the topic of the “Jewish/Soviet Revolution”, the White Terror and Admiral Horthy Triumphant
This lecture series on Hungary is free to JGS Toronto Members: Click here to register

JGS Toronto Virtual Event in partnership with Classi Lectures - Theordore Herzl and Max Nordau of Budapest
2024-02-07 16:00 - 17:00
Lecture 2:
Theodor Herzl and Max Nordau of Budapest: Lecturer: Trudy Gold
Free To Members of JGS Toronto: Click here to register

JGST Virtual Event - The Jews of Hungary (1) From the Edict of Toleration to World War 1
2024-01-31 16:00 - 17:00
Wednesday January 31, 2024, 4:00 PM ET. Speaker: Trudy Gold
As part of JGS Toronto’s partnership with Classi Lectures, JGS Toronto members can attend Classi lectures at no cost. Learn the incredible history of the Jews of Hungary. Click on this link to view the details.

JGS Toronto: Virtual Event - DNA Special Interest Group
2024-01-28 10:30 - 12:00
DNA SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP (SIG)
Q&A WORKSHOP
Featuring our JGS Toronto members,
Gil Bardige and Arthur Sissman

Sunday, 28 January 2024 at 10:30 am. ET
VIRTUAL MEETING: Join from Home
Virtual doors open at 10:20 a.m. ET

All are invited to participate in the second segment of 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.
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 14 January. This deadline ensures that our mavens 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.

FAQ for this program

Who may register for this program?
Public

Is it being recorded?
Yes

Is the recording available to members
Yes

Is the recording available to non-members
No

The Jews of Russia with Trudy Gold
2024-01-24 16:00 - 17:00
This online lecture with Trudy Gold of Classi Lectures is free to Toronto JGS members. Members will need to sign in to the website to register. The Jews of Russia
Non-Members: Registration via Classi Lectures at the lecture links above.
Contact jscherer@jgstoronto.ca to join/register as a JGS Toronto member.
Note: The link will be sent to you on the morning of the lecture.
To our guests, consider joining our membership for only $40.00 CDN per year by Clicking Here or consider a donation by Clicking Here to assist us in continuing our mission of providing a forum for the exchange of genealogical knowledge and information. (Canadians will receive a CRA tax receipt.)
