Jewish Genealogical Society of Toronto

40th Anniversary Gala
2025-09-14 13:30 - 16:30 (America/Toronto) | Leah Posluns Theatre, 4588 Bathurst St, North York, Ontario, M2R 3V2, Canada
Ticket price is $30
Book price is $40. If the book is to be mailed, and not picked up at the Gala, there will be a $25 mailing charge.
Purchase Tickets or Pre-order Books

Labour Day
2025-09-01

45th IAJGS International Conference on Jewish Genealogy
2025-08-10 08:00 - 2025-08-14 17:00
Fort Wayne, Indiana
www://iajgs.org/conference/iajgs2025/

Join the International Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies (IAJGS) and the Northeast Indiana Jewish Genealogy Society August 10-14, 2025 in Fort Wayne, Indiana, for an exceptional and unique Conference experience!

Why Fort Wayne?

Media Collection

The Call for Proposals is now open! Click here for more information.

Here’s how to learn more about the Conference:

View a video of our 2025 IAJGS Conference Information Session (31:23)
Check out the IAJGS 2025 Conference Discussion Facebook Group
Join our mailing list to receive more information.
Contact info@iajgs2025.org with questions

JGS Toronto Hybrid Event: AGM and Brickwalls and Breakthroughs
2025-06-18 19:30 - 21:00 | Shaarei Shomayim Congregation, 470 Glencairn Ave., Toronto, Ontario, M5N 1V8, Canada
This will be virtual via Zoom and an in-person meeting. Our Annual JGS Toronto Meeting will be followed by “Brickwalls and Breakthroughs”. Click on this link to see the full outline of this event.
AGM: 7:30 to 8:00 pm
Brickwalls and Breakthroughs: 8:00 pm to 9:30 pm

Board Meeting
2025-06-09 19:30 - 21:30, 2025-03-10 19:30 - 21:30, 2025-02-10 19:30 - 21:30, 2024-12-09 19:30 - 21:30

JGS Toronto Event in Partnership with Classi Lectures: The History of the Jews of South Africa
2025-06-01 10:30 - 12:00
This will be a Zoom Event Only:
Go to the JGS Toronto website Members page to register.
Speaker: Ralph Cilevitz
JEWISH GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY OF TORONTO
A History of the South African Jews: From The Pale to Pretoria
…Carrying a Small Suitcase Filled with Courage, Faith and Hope
Sunday, 01 June 2025 at 10:30 a.m.
ZOOM ONLY
In this powerful presentation, Ralph Cilevitz tells the story of Jewish immigrants who journeyed
from the cities and shtetls of the Pale of Settlement to the cities and dorpies at the southern tip
of Africa. Most arrived young, alone, and with little more than their determination and quiet
strength. Ralph explores how thousands of Jewish families built new lives and preserved their
faith and hope while adapting to unfamiliar places and languages. He offers a vivid look at
courage, migration, resilience, and community. Whether you’re interested in genealogy, Jewish
history, or human endurance, this presentation brings the past to life in a way that is deeply
personal and richly human.
Ralph Cilevitz was born in South Africa and studied electronic and mechanical engineering
before emigrating to Canada in 1979. Based in Toronto, he is a board member of the Jewish
Genealogical Society of Toronto. With over 50 years of genealogical research, Ralph combines
historical insight with a passion for storytelling. When he’s not digging through archives, you’ll
find him competing on the track in multi-event athletics, playing field hockey or pickleball, or
strumming the guitar.

Board Meeting
2025-05-12 19:30 - 21:30, 2025-04-07 19:30 - 21:30 | Virtual

JGS Toronto Virtual Event: DNA Special Interest Group
2025-05-04 10:20 - 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.
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 Event: The Jewish Immigrant Aid Society (JIAS) Archives
2025-04-27 10:30 - 12:00 | Shaarei Shomayim Congregation, 470 Glencairn Ave., Toronto, Ontario, M5N 1V8, Canada
This will be a hybrid event.
Sunday, 27 April 2025, 10:30 a.m.
THE ROLE OF JEWISH IMMIGRANT AID SERVICES IN FAMILY HISTORIES
In person at Shaarei Shomayim and on ZOOM
Speaker: JODI BLOCK
Jodi Block will outline the history of JIAS, including some of the gems in the Ontario Jewish Archives about JIAS, and people featured in its history. Over the years, it was possible to help people understand the circumstances around their family’s arrival in Canada. Information about when they arrived, where they originated, and via what route they took is often available. And in some cases, also details such as their first address, their host family, etc.
JODI BLOCK is the Manager of Community Engagement at JIAS Toronto, which is a Sponsorship Agreement Holder that works with Canadians to sponsor refugees, as well as a settlement agency that welcomes and supports diverse newcomers to Canada. As of January 2025, Jodi’s focus is on volunteerism, community engagement, and strategic partnerships.

JGS Toronto: Zoom Only Event: A Case Study Using the "One-Step Webpages"
2025-03-19 19:30 - 21:30 | Virtual
JEWISH GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY OF TORONTO
Wednesday, 19 March 2025, 7:30 p.m
ON ZOOM ONLY
Case Study: The Genealogy of Renee Kaufman
Speaker: Steven Morse
The lecture will present a case study using the One-Step Webpages as well as
other websites to develop a family history. It illustrates how, with a minimal
amount of initial information, an entire genealogy can be obtained. It also shows
how to find records despite name misspellings, and how to avoid accepting
mistaken information.
Stephen Morse is the creator of the One-Step Website for which he has
received the Lifetime Achievement Award and the Outstanding Contribution
Award from the International Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies, as
well as other awards.
In his other life Stephen is a computer professional with a doctoral degree in
electrical engineering. He has held various research, development, and teaching
positions; authored many technical papers; written four textbooks; and holds
four patents. He is best known as the architect of the Intel 8086 (the granddaddy
of today’s Pentium processor), which sparked the PC revolution 45 years ago.
THE PRESENTATION WILL NOT BE RECORDED.
To register please visit jgstoronto.ca/register
Register: https://jgstoronto.ca/programs/
zoom

JGS Toronto Virtual Event: DNA Special Interest Group
2025-03-09 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.
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 Virtual Event: Vienna Austria Jewish Emigration Applications 1938-39: A Treasure Trove of Genealogical Information
2025-02-19 19:30 - 21:00
Speaker: Dr. Steve Turner
Members Only Event: A link will be emailed to all members in good standing 2 days before the event.
Date: Wednesday Feb. 19th
Time: 7:30 pm Eastern Time
Click on this link to see the full description of Dr. Turner’s presentation.

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

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
