News from the Jewish Genealogical Society of Great Britain (JGSGB)

Dear members of the JHSE,

Last year we forged a relationship with the JGSGB with the aim of collaborating and sharing opportunities and benefits for our respective members. This has already resulted in several interesting events.

it is my pleasure therefore to inform you of a Family History Workshop for Beginners at the Jewish Museum which will be held by the JGSGB on the afternoon of 29 January 2023. Members of JHSE are welcome, and the details are here: https://jewishmuseum.org.uk/event/jgsgb-family-history-workshop/

The JGSGB will also be hosting the first in-person gathering of the International Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies’ Annual Conference in London this summer. This is a great opportunity for JHSE members research they have done in this area. Daniel Morgan-Thomas, Vice Chair of JGSGB has passed on the email pasted at the end of this message, and he explained that the organisers are looking in particular for talks that have a more communal - rather than personal/family - tone.

I hope some of you will be able to enjoy these opportunities,

Best wishes,

Miri Rubin, President of the JHSE

THE CALL FOR PROPOSALS IS NOW OPEN

We are pleased to announce that the Call for Proposals for the 2023 IAJGS International Conference on Jewish Genealogy is now open! In 2023, the in-person conference will take place in London, England, from 30 July until 3 August 2023.

The deadline for submissions is 11:59 pm Eastern Standard Time on 15 January 2023.

CONFERENCE THEMES

Reflecting the location of the 2023 Conference, in London, we are offering a series of themed tracks to link various presentations throughout the Conference. While we encourage proposals that meet one of the theme categories, other broad topics in Jewish genealogy are also encouraged. The 2023 Conference tracks are:

UK and Commonwealth Track: The diverse heritage of Jewish families in the UK can be traced back many centuries and includes communities across England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland. This track may include the many Jewish families who made their way to the former British Empire, including Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Jamaica, India, and many more!

Jewish Communities Worldwide and the Shoah Track:We research our ancestors' lives in many parts of the world - not just Eastern Europe and the Middle East. This track is for presentations about Jewish communities and families around the world and the ongoing vital preservation of history and memory of the Holocaust.

Migration Track: This track is for presentations about where our families came from and where they went, how they emigrated and transmigrated to various countries, and how they reached their destinations. Presentations on shipping and train routes and passenger and citizenship records are encouraged.

Methodology Track: Many skills are needed for undertaking genealogical research, including finding and sourcing information, translating from a range of languages, and approaching potentially ethically and historically complex material. This track is for presentations that focus on techniques that assist Jewish genealogists in their research at any level.

Technology/Computer Lab Track: This track is for presentations about the utilization of computer-based technology that can enhance our family history. It may include specific websites, databases, family history software, or guidance on record and materials preservation.

DNA Track: DNA testing has now been available to family historians for some years and enabled us to make connections between the past and present, as well as find new or lost family members. This track is for how to use DNA in your research and the results of new research studies which shine a light on how the past impacts present-day Jewish demography.

Storytelling Track: Stories are an important part of our genealogical history, both those shared and those identified through research. They can range from stories of family life in ancestral towns to the experience of immigration to life in a new country and even those of previously unknown family members through DNA. This track will focus on discovering, telling, and preserving these family stories.

If you have an innovative idea for programming that you would like to discuss with the conference and program chairs before your submittal or before our deadline, please write to program@iajgs2023.org

TYPES OF SESSIONS

Regular Sessions will be scheduled for 45 minutes of lecture, followed by 15 minutes of questions and answers, for a total presentation time of 60 minutes.

Short Sessions will be scheduled for 30 minutes of lecture, to include questions and answers.

Panel Discussions are for small groups of speakers with varying views on a shared topic. A panel proposal should be submitted by the main presenter or moderator. Information about co-presenters can be added on the application or later.

Computer Labs will be 1½ hours in length and limited to 25 paying participants.

SPEAKER COMPENSATION

Speakers may submit up to 8 proposals. Because of the limited number of scheduling slots and the large number of people applying to speak, we will give preference to speakers for whom we can schedule multiple sessions. It is not a reflection on the quality of your proposal if we do not accept all your proposals. We greatly appreciate your willingness in sharing your expertise and knowledge. We have set aside slots for new speakers to IAJGS Conferences, and we will accept single submissions.

Financial compensation for speakers is based on the number of approved sessions. Speaker compensation is provided only for the primary speaker in any session, panel, or computer lab.

To begin the process of submitting your proposal, go to the web page call.iajgs2023.org which goes to https://pheedloop.com/EVEXVEQJLXVIO/proposal/start/?call=CAL3Q647B6DHXHL and click on the blue bar with “Start Application” near the bottom of the page. Please note that PheedLoop is our new software platform.

Thank you and looking forward to your proposal.