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X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://jgstoronto.ca
X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Jewish Genealogical Society of Toronto
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20260209T193000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20260209T213000
DTSTAMP:20260611T011625
CREATED:20250903T034138Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250903T035432Z
UID:9556-1770665400-1770672600@jgstoronto.ca
SUMMARY:Board Meeting
DESCRIPTION:
URL:https://jgstoronto.ca/event/board-meeting-29/
CATEGORIES:Board Meetings
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20260211T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20260211T190000
DTSTAMP:20260611T011625
CREATED:20251016T192128Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260215T125852Z
UID:9874-1770836400-1770836400@jgstoronto.ca
SUMMARY:Unlock the Power of AI in Jewish Genealogy - class 4 of 5
DESCRIPTION:Discover how artificial intelligence can transform the way you research and share your family history. \nJoin the Jewish Genealogical Society of Toronto for an exciting five-session online series designed to help you use AI tools\, such as ChatGPT\, Bing Copilot\, and Perplexity AI\, to take your genealogy research to the next level. \nIn this engaging\, hands-on online course\, you will: \n\nLearn how to organize\, analyze\, and document your family tree using AI\nExplore AI-assisted search techniques for JewishGen\, Ancestry\, MyHeritage\, and other genealogy databases\nSee how AI can help interpret DNA results and uncover hidden family connections\nGain practical tips on writing and sharing your family story with AI support\n\nTaught by Jerry Scherer and Arthur Sissman\, with their AI assistants ChatGPT\, Copilot\, and Perplexity AI \nSchedule: ​​Five 60-minute classes on Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. Eastern time REVISED 7:00 p.m. ET \n\n\n\nDate\nSession\nSubject\n\n\n\n\n19 Nov 2025\n1\nGetting started with AI in Jewish genealogy\n\n\n03 Dec 2025\n2\nSmart organizations of your genealogy\n\n\n14 Jan 2026\n3\nAI in action in the real world\n\n\n11 Feb 2026\n4\nDecoding DNA insights with AI\n\n\n11 Mar 2026\n5\nDocumenting and sharing your family story using AI\n\n\n\n  \n\n\n\nJGS Toronto member registration:\nno additional charge\nNon-member registration:\nincluded with your CDN$40 membership fee (through December 2026)\n\n\n\n\nRegister for this Course\n\n(Note: you must be logged in to the website)\n\n\nJoin JGS Toronto as a member: Complete Membership Application\n\nRemit payment for the membership fee\nSend an e-mail message to: membership@JGSToronto.ca\nsubject: AI Course\nbody: Your full name and email address\nShortly thereafter (typically within 36 hours) you’ll receive your login credentials for our website.\n\n(Note: you do not need a website userid or login to register)\n\n\n\nTo review sessions 1 through 3 of the course: \n\nLogin to the members-only page of our website\nSelect Past Presentations and Workshops from the menu on the right side of the page\nReview the session recording and other materials. Links to these materials can be found in the teal highlighted box to the right of the page; on a mobile device\, the teal highlighted box may appear lower on the page
URL:https://jgstoronto.ca/event/unlock-the-power-of-ai-4/
LOCATION:Virtual
CATEGORIES:Education
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://jgstoronto.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Website-Announcement-Unlock-the-Power-of-AI-11-Mar-2026.png
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20260215T103000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20260215T120000
DTSTAMP:20260611T011625
CREATED:20250911T003720Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260209T203245Z
UID:9619-1771151400-1771156800@jgstoronto.ca
SUMMARY:Kingston-Upon-Hull: A Forgotten Way-Station on the Road to Canada and the USA
DESCRIPTION:speaker: Dr. Marne Platt \nFind out more about this important\, often untold story of the passage of families from Eastern Europe as they headed to Kingston-Upon-Hull on their way to North America. Learn more about this transition point in the story of many Jewish emigrants! \nMarne Platt is an American genealogist and researcher\, living in Switzerland. She is well-versed in the trials and tribulations of the immigration process that occurred as our ancestors landed in Hull\, England. \nOn Zoom only \nRegister for this Program\n\n  \nFAQs for this program: \n\nWho may register for this program?  Public\nIs it being recorded?  Yes\nWho may view the recording?  Members only
URL:https://jgstoronto.ca/event/kingston-upon-hull-a-forgotten-waystation-on-the-road-to-north-america/
LOCATION:Virtual
CATEGORIES:General Events
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://jgstoronto.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Marne-Platt.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20260222T103000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20260222T120000
DTSTAMP:20260611T011625
CREATED:20250930T151223Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260206T035606Z
UID:9750-1771756200-1771761600@jgstoronto.ca
SUMMARY:DNA Special Interest Group
DESCRIPTION:Our DNA Special Interest Group (SIG) offers an interactive forum where participants can learn how to use DNA as a tool for Jewish genealogy. Each session is self-contained and focuses on real case studies\, practical tips\, and guidance from our experts. Whether you’re just getting started with DNA testing or have been working with your matches for years\, you’ll gain valuable insights you can apply directly to your own research. \nYou are welcome to join any or all of the sessions. No prior attendance is required\, and every program is designed so that both new and returning participants can benefit fully. \nOur DNA SIG Leaders:\nGil Bardige (Chicago\, Illinois) has been a genealogist for over 40 years and a genetic genealogist since 2007. He has tested at the four major testing companies and is the co-administrator of three projects at FTDNA\, including Jewish R1B and R-A11711 Subclade Projects. Gil is chair of the Columbus Ohio JGS\, a volunteer at IAJGS Conferences (including the Program Committee)\, and director of the mentoring program. 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 often say: “Thank you\, Gil\, I am no longer confused!”\nArthur Sissman (Naples\, Florida) 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 previously unknown relatives and built a tree out to 1500 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. \nSubmit Your DNA Questions\nHere’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.\nPlease 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 in advance. This deadline ensures that our maven can contact you for any extra information\, if required. \nOn Zoom only \nRegister for this Program\n\n  \nFAQs for this program: \n\nWho may register for this program?  Public\nIs it being recorded?  Yes\nWho may view the recording?  Members only
URL:https://jgstoronto.ca/event/dna-special-interest-group-4/
LOCATION:Virtual
CATEGORIES:Special Interest Groups
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://jgstoronto.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/DNA-Double-Helix-3.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20260225T193000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20260225T203000
DTSTAMP:20260611T011625
CREATED:20260104T011438Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260206T041528Z
UID:10273-1772047800-1772051400@jgstoronto.ca
SUMMARY:Family Tree Maker SIG Workshop: Setting Up Family Tree Maker
DESCRIPTION:Join us for a virtual Family Tree Maker (FTM) workshop intended to help you build and manage your family tree on your home desktop computer while deepening your understanding of your family history. Family Tree Maker is a powerful desktop-based genealogy tool that interfaces seamlessly with both Ancestry and FamilySearch. \nWhether you are just getting started or looking to strengthen your existing skills\, this session will provide practical guidance and useful insights. \nIn addition\, we will highlight the exclusive FTM SIG member discount available to JGS Toronto members\, along with a curated set of recommended links and resources to support you as you continue your Family Tree Maker journey. \nOn Zoom only \nRegister for this Program (members only)\n\n  \nFAQs for this program: \n\nWho may register for this program?  Members only\nIs it being recorded?  Yes\nWho may view the recording?  Members only
URL:https://jgstoronto.ca/event/family-tree-maker-sig-setting-up-family-tree-maker/
LOCATION:Virtual
CATEGORIES:Special Interest Groups
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://jgstoronto.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/FTM-2.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20260226T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20260226T203000
DTSTAMP:20260611T011625
CREATED:20260210T032408Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260222T024129Z
UID:10461-1772132400-1772137800@jgstoronto.ca
SUMMARY:Artificial Intelligence Special Interest Group
DESCRIPTION:Discover the Magic of the AI SIG: Bringing Our History into the Future\nHave you heard the buzz about artificial intelligence (AI) but aren’t sure what it means for your family tree? The AI special interest group (SIG) is a new collaborative hub where we demystify the latest technology together. \nWe bridge the gap between “high-tech” ideas and the practical ways they can help you find your family. We skip the technical jargon and focus on knowledge exchange—sharing how tools like Large Language Models (LLMs) [often called “smart assistants” or “chatbots”] can breathe new life into your research. \nThis AI SIG meeting may include discussions on: \n\nHands-on Demos: See real-world showcases of how AI reads difficult handwriting (paleography) in English\, Yiddish\, Hebrew\, or the multiple other languages of Europe and the Middle East.\nPrivacy & Security: Learn the “golden rules” of AI privacy—how to use these tools safely without compromising your family’s private data or DNA results.\nProblem Solving: Participate in peer-to-peer troubleshooting to move past technical hurdles.\nAdvanced Techniques: Learn about meta-prompting (the art of giving the AI a specialized “role” or “expert persona”) to get much more accurate research results.\nEnhancing Memories: Learn how to clear up blurry family photos or organize decades of notes in seconds.\n\nWhether you are an AI-curious researcher or just getting started with a tablet\, you are welcome at the AI SIG. \nOn Zoom only \nRegister for this Program (members only)\n\n  \nFAQs for this program: \n\nWho may register for this program?  Members only\nIs it being recorded?  Yes\nWho may view the recording?  Members only
URL:https://jgstoronto.ca/event/artificial-intelligence-special-interest-group/
LOCATION:Virtual
CATEGORIES:Special Interest Groups
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://jgstoronto.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Copilot_20251102_220744-e1762141447341.png
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