JewishGen.org Discussion Group FAQs
What is the JewishGen.org Discussion Group?
The JewishGen.org Discussion Group unites thousands of Jewish genealogical researchers worldwide as they research their family history, search for relatives, and share information, ideas, methods, tips, techniques, and resources. The JewishGen.org Discussion Group makes it easy, quick, and fun, to connect with others around the world.
Is it Secure?
Yes. JewishGen is using a state of the art platform with the most contemporary security standards. JewishGen will never share member information with third parties.
How is the New JewishGen.org Discussion Group better than the old one?
Our old Discussion List platform was woefully antiquated. Among its many challenges: it was not secure, it required messages to be sent in Plain Text, did not support accented characters or languages other than English, could not display links or images, and had archives that were not mobile-friendly.
This new platform that JewishGen is using is a scalable, and sustainable solution, and allows us to engage with JewishGen members throughout the world. It offers a simple and intuitive interface for both members and moderators, more powerful tools, and more secure archives (which are easily accessible on mobile devices, and which also block out personal email addresses to the public).
I am a JewishGen member, why do I have to create a separate account for the Discussion Group?
As we continue to modernize our platform, we are trying to ensure that everything meets contemporary security standards. In the future, we plan hope to have one single sign-in page.
I like how the current lists work. Will I still be able to send/receive emails of posts (and/or digests)?
Yes. In terms of functionality, the group will operate the same for people who like to participate with email. People can still send a message to an email address (in this case, main@groups.JewishGen.org), and receive a daily digest of postings, or individual emails. In addition, Members can also receive a daily summary of topics, and then choose which topics they would like to read about it. However, in addition to email, there is the additional functionality of being able to read/post messages utilizing our online forum (https://groups.jewishgen.org).
Does this new system require plain-text?
No.
Can I post images, accented characters, different colors/font sizes, non-latin characters?
Yes.
Can I categorize a message? For example, if my message is related to Polish, or Ukraine research, can I indicate as such?
Yes! Our new platform allows members to use “Hashtags.” Messages can then be sorted, and searched, based upon how they are categorized. Another advantage is that members can “mute” any conversations they are not interested in, by simply indicating they are not interested in a particular “hashtag.”
Will all posts be archived?
Yes.
Can I still search though old messages?
Yes. All the messages are accessible and searchable going back to 1998.
What if I have questions or need assistance using the new Group?
Send your questions to: support@JewishGen.org
How do I access the Group’s webpage?
Follow this link: https://groups.jewishgen.org/g/main
So just to be sure - this new group will allow us to post from our mobile phones, includes images, accented characters, and non-latin characters, and does not require plain text?
Correct!
Will there be any ads or annoying pop-ups?
No.
Will the current guidelines change?
Yes. While posts will be moderated to ensure civility, and that there is nothing posted that is inappropriate (or completely unrelated to genealogy), we will be trying to create an online community of people who regulate themselves, much as they do (very successfully) on Jewish Genealogy Portal on Facebook.
What are the new guidelines?
There are just a few simple rules & guidelines to follow, which you can read here:https://groups.jewishgen.org/g/main/guidelines
Thank you in advance for contributing to this amazing online community!
If you have any questions, or suggestions, please email support@JewishGen.org.
Sincerely,
The JewishGen.org Team
|
Was Ira Jewish?
#general
MBernet@...
In a message dated 8/2/2003 9:55:23 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
sallybru@... very gracious acknowledged an unfortunate misunderstanding, in a previous message << Well, I learned something today. I have extracted many Polish and Lithuanian records for different towns and had never seen the name Ira. I didn't know it was a Yiddish name or a Hebrew name as various people have pointed out-or that it was in the Bible. She continues with: However, it was certainly not a common Hebrew/Yiddish name in the areas I am familiar with, and I would stick by the point of my previous posting: it was probably an 'American' version of some more common Hebrew/Yiddish name made up for someone who never was in the US. >> No, Ira has never been as popular a name among Jews as Isaac or Jacob. Anyone not fully aware of the genealogy and history of that area can certainly be excused for not knowing that it was recorded in the areas of greater Russia (incl Poland and Podolia) as early at 1765. Sally's last assumption that Ira "was probably an 'American' version" is difficult to support. True, there was Ira Gershwin in America, but he was Jewish. There have been some 19th century non-Jews named Ira who were born in the USA, notably Ira Remsen, co-inventor of saccharine, and Ira Frederick Aldridge, a Black actor famous for tragic roles--but he lived mostly in Europe (and, coincidence? died in Lodz). Ira became an "American" name only after it became popular with the influx of Jewish immigrants >from Eastern Europe. The Random House Dictionary lists Ira as "a male given name: >from a Hebrew word meaning 'watchful'. That would be spelled with an initial `ayin, not with the initial aleph as is the East European Jewish name derived >from Uri. (Beider also gives an Ira with the `ayin initial.) To claim that a Jew in Eastern Europe who was called Ira, and never came to the USA, actually had a different name in the old country and that an American relative simply "Americanized" his name to Ira, would be akin to claiming that Michael could not be a Jew and is really an Irishman living in Dublin, or that Sally's name must have been imposed on her retroactively by a relative living in Salonika. Ira was a Jewish name in Europe in the 18th and 19th century. There can be no doubt about that. There is no need or reason to suppose it was really an American name imposed retroactively on his ancestor by some Jewish immigrant in the USA who couldn't think of a better name. Michael Bernet, New York
|
|
|
|
JewishGen Discussion Group #JewishGen Was Ira Jewish?
#general
MBernet@...
In a message dated 8/2/2003 9:55:23 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
sallybru@... very gracious acknowledged an unfortunate misunderstanding, in a previous message << Well, I learned something today. I have extracted many Polish and Lithuanian records for different towns and had never seen the name Ira. I didn't know it was a Yiddish name or a Hebrew name as various people have pointed out-or that it was in the Bible. She continues with: However, it was certainly not a common Hebrew/Yiddish name in the areas I am familiar with, and I would stick by the point of my previous posting: it was probably an 'American' version of some more common Hebrew/Yiddish name made up for someone who never was in the US. >> No, Ira has never been as popular a name among Jews as Isaac or Jacob. Anyone not fully aware of the genealogy and history of that area can certainly be excused for not knowing that it was recorded in the areas of greater Russia (incl Poland and Podolia) as early at 1765. Sally's last assumption that Ira "was probably an 'American' version" is difficult to support. True, there was Ira Gershwin in America, but he was Jewish. There have been some 19th century non-Jews named Ira who were born in the USA, notably Ira Remsen, co-inventor of saccharine, and Ira Frederick Aldridge, a Black actor famous for tragic roles--but he lived mostly in Europe (and, coincidence? died in Lodz). Ira became an "American" name only after it became popular with the influx of Jewish immigrants >from Eastern Europe. The Random House Dictionary lists Ira as "a male given name: >from a Hebrew word meaning 'watchful'. That would be spelled with an initial `ayin, not with the initial aleph as is the East European Jewish name derived >from Uri. (Beider also gives an Ira with the `ayin initial.) To claim that a Jew in Eastern Europe who was called Ira, and never came to the USA, actually had a different name in the old country and that an American relative simply "Americanized" his name to Ira, would be akin to claiming that Michael could not be a Jew and is really an Irishman living in Dublin, or that Sally's name must have been imposed on her retroactively by a relative living in Salonika. Ira was a Jewish name in Europe in the 18th and 19th century. There can be no doubt about that. There is no need or reason to suppose it was really an American name imposed retroactively on his ancestor by some Jewish immigrant in the USA who couldn't think of a better name. Michael Bernet, New York
|
|
|
|
Kudos to GerSig
#germany
shanghai1@...
Kudos to GerSig:
A few years ago someone posted the announcement of a new, German, book, titled "Exil Shanghai 1938-1947: Juedisches Leben in der Emigration" by Georg Armbruester, Michael Kohlstruck and Sonja Muehlberger, Editors ("Hrsg."). A request was made regarding the translating of the book's blurb. I volunteered. Fast forward: Ms/Dr. Muehlberger found the post and wrote to 1. thank me and 2. since my URL contains "Shanghai," asked when and where I lived. She turns out to be little Sonja, the child on the left hand side of our school photograph, circa 1947. I was on the right. Considering that the school picture seems to have entailed the Kindergarten, first and second grades, we quite obviously knew one another. She and her parents (and baby brother) returned to Germany immediately after the War (to the Soviet Sector) and we went to America. Thank God for little favors. Anyhow, we found each other through the GerSig Webpage. Yvonne Adler Los Angeles shanghai1@...
|
|
|
|
German SIG #Germany Kudos to GerSig
#germany
shanghai1@...
Kudos to GerSig:
A few years ago someone posted the announcement of a new, German, book, titled "Exil Shanghai 1938-1947: Juedisches Leben in der Emigration" by Georg Armbruester, Michael Kohlstruck and Sonja Muehlberger, Editors ("Hrsg."). A request was made regarding the translating of the book's blurb. I volunteered. Fast forward: Ms/Dr. Muehlberger found the post and wrote to 1. thank me and 2. since my URL contains "Shanghai," asked when and where I lived. She turns out to be little Sonja, the child on the left hand side of our school photograph, circa 1947. I was on the right. Considering that the school picture seems to have entailed the Kindergarten, first and second grades, we quite obviously knew one another. She and her parents (and baby brother) returned to Germany immediately after the War (to the Soviet Sector) and we went to America. Thank God for little favors. Anyhow, we found each other through the GerSig Webpage. Yvonne Adler Los Angeles shanghai1@...
|
|
|
|
GUREVITCH
#belarus
Dennis Flavell <dennis@...>
Am seeking the whereabouts of the hamlet of Krasnoluksk (with its variant
spellings), said to be in the Borisovsk district of Minsk Province . Also seeking contact with descendents of the GUREVITCH brothers Aaron, Mendle, Meyer, who went to Canada c 1903 ; and Hyman (to England 1903 and Nathian to England c 1920). Also interested in MARCUZE name in Latvia . Dennis FLAVELL in Cambridgeshire, England.
|
|
|
|
Belarus SIG #Belarus GUREVITCH
#belarus
Dennis Flavell <dennis@...>
Am seeking the whereabouts of the hamlet of Krasnoluksk (with its variant
spellings), said to be in the Borisovsk district of Minsk Province . Also seeking contact with descendents of the GUREVITCH brothers Aaron, Mendle, Meyer, who went to Canada c 1903 ; and Hyman (to England 1903 and Nathian to England c 1920). Also interested in MARCUZE name in Latvia . Dennis FLAVELL in Cambridgeshire, England.
|
|
|
|
Re: I need help from a Litvak expert please!
#general
Stan Goodman <safeqSPAM_FOILER@...>
On Mon, 4 Aug 2003 10:44:49 UTC, GERRICA@... opined:
My question is:- can someone who is knowledgeable throw some light onYour phonetic transliteration is pretty fair; better would be "Sluzhitel". Not Yiddish, it is a Russian word meaning "servant". -- Stan Goodman, Qiryat Tiv'on, Israel Searching: NEACHOWICZ/NOACHOWICZ, NEJMAN/NAJMAN, SURALSKI: >from Lomza Gubernia ISMACH: >from Lomza Gubernia, Galicia, and Ukraina HERTANU, ABRAMOVICI, LAUER: >from Dorohoi District, Romania GRISARU, VATARU: >from Iasi, Dorohoi, and Mileanca, Romania See my interactive family tree (requires Java 1.1.6 or better): http://www.hashkedim.com Please remove the CAPITAL LETTERS >from my address in order to send me email, and include "JEWISHGEN" in the subject line, else your message will be deleted automatically, unread.
|
|
|
|
JewishGen Discussion Group #JewishGen Re: I need help from a Litvak expert please!
#general
Stan Goodman <safeqSPAM_FOILER@...>
On Mon, 4 Aug 2003 10:44:49 UTC, GERRICA@... opined:
My question is:- can someone who is knowledgeable throw some light onYour phonetic transliteration is pretty fair; better would be "Sluzhitel". Not Yiddish, it is a Russian word meaning "servant". -- Stan Goodman, Qiryat Tiv'on, Israel Searching: NEACHOWICZ/NOACHOWICZ, NEJMAN/NAJMAN, SURALSKI: >from Lomza Gubernia ISMACH: >from Lomza Gubernia, Galicia, and Ukraina HERTANU, ABRAMOVICI, LAUER: >from Dorohoi District, Romania GRISARU, VATARU: >from Iasi, Dorohoi, and Mileanca, Romania See my interactive family tree (requires Java 1.1.6 or better): http://www.hashkedim.com Please remove the CAPITAL LETTERS >from my address in order to send me email, and include "JEWISHGEN" in the subject line, else your message will be deleted automatically, unread.
|
|
|
|
Re: The SEGAL name and Levites
#general
Stan Goodman <safeqSPAM_FOILER@...>
Just like the guilds which started to appear during the Medieval, the.... because they were all Levites, of course. The Hebrew root Samakh Gimel Lamed is expressed in many words (seventeen entries, even in the one-volume Even-Shoshan dictionary), and not in all cases is it easy to see the common thread. Most of these lexical possibilities have by now been proposed in this discussion, although a prominent exception is the meaning "a triangular arrangement of three dots, used as a vowel indication below Hebrew consonants in an auxiliary writing system of medieval invention". It is only a matter of time until somebody mentions a three-dot birthmark on the cheek or forehead of Aharon haKohen, progenitor of all the Levites. -- Stan Goodman, Qiryat Tiv'on, Israel Searching: NEACHOWICZ/NOACHOWICZ, NEJMAN/NAJMAN, SURALSKI: >from Lomza Gubernia ISMACH: >from Lomza Gubernia, Galicia, and Ukraina HERTANU, ABRAMOVICI, LAUER: >from Dorohoi District, Romania GRISARU, VATARU: >from Iasi, Dorohoi, and Mileanca, Romania See my interactive family tree (requires Java 1.1.6 or better): http://www.hashkedim.com Please remove the CAPITAL LETTERS >from my address in order to send me email, and include "JEWISHGEN" in the subject line, else your message will be deleted automatically, unread.
|
|
|
|
JewishGen Discussion Group #JewishGen Re: The SEGAL name and Levites
#general
Stan Goodman <safeqSPAM_FOILER@...>
Just like the guilds which started to appear during the Medieval, the.... because they were all Levites, of course. The Hebrew root Samakh Gimel Lamed is expressed in many words (seventeen entries, even in the one-volume Even-Shoshan dictionary), and not in all cases is it easy to see the common thread. Most of these lexical possibilities have by now been proposed in this discussion, although a prominent exception is the meaning "a triangular arrangement of three dots, used as a vowel indication below Hebrew consonants in an auxiliary writing system of medieval invention". It is only a matter of time until somebody mentions a three-dot birthmark on the cheek or forehead of Aharon haKohen, progenitor of all the Levites. -- Stan Goodman, Qiryat Tiv'on, Israel Searching: NEACHOWICZ/NOACHOWICZ, NEJMAN/NAJMAN, SURALSKI: >from Lomza Gubernia ISMACH: >from Lomza Gubernia, Galicia, and Ukraina HERTANU, ABRAMOVICI, LAUER: >from Dorohoi District, Romania GRISARU, VATARU: >from Iasi, Dorohoi, and Mileanca, Romania See my interactive family tree (requires Java 1.1.6 or better): http://www.hashkedim.com Please remove the CAPITAL LETTERS >from my address in order to send me email, and include "JEWISHGEN" in the subject line, else your message will be deleted automatically, unread.
|
|
|
|
small groups of a feather
#belarus
Florence Schumacher <florenceschumacher@...>
BlankIn response to the recent request to form smaller groups, I am
interested in participating in a small Birds of a Feather groups to research the following towns/names >from Belarus: 1. Drohiiczyn (Brest district) in the Grodno region(researching the Hoyzman/Hausman/Gauzman/Grossman family) and/or 2. Orsha in the Mogilev region (researching the Shumicher/Schumacher family) Please let me know if there is anyone else interested in pooling resources for these towns or names. Researching Hoyzman/Gauzman/Grossman >from Drohichin and Shumitcher/Schumacher >from Orsha, Mogilev district/Belarus; Brod in Vienna/Lieben/Prague; and Steinberg >from Kishinev/Dubassari, Moldova. Florence Schumacher Needham, MA 02492 Email: florenceschumacher@...
|
|
|
|
Belarus SIG #Belarus small groups of a feather
#belarus
Florence Schumacher <florenceschumacher@...>
BlankIn response to the recent request to form smaller groups, I am
interested in participating in a small Birds of a Feather groups to research the following towns/names >from Belarus: 1. Drohiiczyn (Brest district) in the Grodno region(researching the Hoyzman/Hausman/Gauzman/Grossman family) and/or 2. Orsha in the Mogilev region (researching the Shumicher/Schumacher family) Please let me know if there is anyone else interested in pooling resources for these towns or names. Researching Hoyzman/Gauzman/Grossman >from Drohichin and Shumitcher/Schumacher >from Orsha, Mogilev district/Belarus; Brod in Vienna/Lieben/Prague; and Steinberg >from Kishinev/Dubassari, Moldova. Florence Schumacher Needham, MA 02492 Email: florenceschumacher@...
|
|
|
|
Searching for Moritz and Julius WALLACH and their descendants
#germany
Gunther Steinberg <beagun27@...>
Looking for information about Moritz and Julius WALLACH,
their "Volkskunsthaus" in Munich (store and museum of traditional costumes) and their emigration to the USA in 1939. I am also looking for relatives of Moritz or Julius WALLACH or .. information about their "Wallach-family"..and about their history and/or any knowledge or experiences about the "'Volkskunsthaus"' WALLACH in Munich? Gunther Steinberg Portola Valley CA <mail to:beagun27@...>
|
|
|
|
German SIG #Germany Searching for Moritz and Julius WALLACH and their descendants
#germany
Gunther Steinberg <beagun27@...>
Looking for information about Moritz and Julius WALLACH,
their "Volkskunsthaus" in Munich (store and museum of traditional costumes) and their emigration to the USA in 1939. I am also looking for relatives of Moritz or Julius WALLACH or .. information about their "Wallach-family"..and about their history and/or any knowledge or experiences about the "'Volkskunsthaus"' WALLACH in Munich? Gunther Steinberg Portola Valley CA <mail to:beagun27@...>
|
|
|
|
Eva K. MAINTHOW
#general
Byrnea <byrnea@...>
Looking for the descendants of Eva K. PLATSHEK and Samuel M. MAINTHOW.
They married in January of 1887 in, possibly, Savannah. Have checked all the usual sources with no luck. Please respond privately to <byrnea@...>. Thanks in advance. Ann Guthman Byrne Colorado byrnea@...
|
|
|
|
JewishGen Discussion Group #JewishGen Eva K. MAINTHOW
#general
Byrnea <byrnea@...>
Looking for the descendants of Eva K. PLATSHEK and Samuel M. MAINTHOW.
They married in January of 1887 in, possibly, Savannah. Have checked all the usual sources with no luck. Please respond privately to <byrnea@...>. Thanks in advance. Ann Guthman Byrne Colorado byrnea@...
|
|
|
|
Theodor HERZL's Hebrew name
#general
MBernet@...
The founder of modern Zionism, Theodor HERZL, is known in Israel by his
Hebrew name, Binyamin Ze`ev. Does anyone know whether that Hebrew name comes >from records or documents, or whether the name was "imposed" on him, in his lifetime or after his death. There is no obvious connection between Theodor and Binyamin (or Ze'ev, which is a kinnuy for Binyamin). Moreover, double-Hebrew names, such as Binyamin Ze`ev, had long been out of fashion in Eastern Europe (Herzl was born in Budapest, into a very assimilated family in 1860), and he would likely have had the Yiddish kinnuy, Wolf, and perhaps a German name like Wilhelm or Walter to go with the Wolf. Does anyone know how the Binyamin Ze'ev name became known to us? Michael Bernet, New York
|
|
|
|
JewishGen Discussion Group #JewishGen Theodor HERZL's Hebrew name
#general
MBernet@...
The founder of modern Zionism, Theodor HERZL, is known in Israel by his
Hebrew name, Binyamin Ze`ev. Does anyone know whether that Hebrew name comes >from records or documents, or whether the name was "imposed" on him, in his lifetime or after his death. There is no obvious connection between Theodor and Binyamin (or Ze'ev, which is a kinnuy for Binyamin). Moreover, double-Hebrew names, such as Binyamin Ze`ev, had long been out of fashion in Eastern Europe (Herzl was born in Budapest, into a very assimilated family in 1860), and he would likely have had the Yiddish kinnuy, Wolf, and perhaps a German name like Wilhelm or Walter to go with the Wolf. Does anyone know how the Binyamin Ze'ev name became known to us? Michael Bernet, New York
|
|
|
|
Re: The SEGAL name and Levites
#general
MBernet@...
In a message dated 8/4/2003 4:35:53 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
chaikin@... writes: << =In my paternal family I found the surname HALBE"Z [heh - lammed - bet - tzadi], which is the initials of the written in the book of Yechskel, chapter 44: ...Ha'Leviyim Bney Tzadok [The Levis' Sons Of Tzadok]. ==I suggest that anyone who is still interested in the SEGAL-Levite controversy, check out the entire verse 15 of Chapter 44 of Ezekiel which starts with "vehaKohanim haLevi'im benei Zadok" which very clearly states that these descendants of Zadok were Kohanim (as we know >from hundreds of other sources) who are part of the larger tribe of Levi. I do not doubt Udi's assertion that his ancestors adopted their name >from this verse, but that can not in any way be a claim that those who are known in Modern times as Levites are at the same time Kohanim. Udi Cain follows with "I am trying to find out if Levis' families of Bulgarian origin and >from the other hand of Bukharan origin, who are called TZADIKOV, are the same as my HALB"Z. ==That is an interesting question but it has nothing to do with Segal. I suggest it would best be posted on Sefardsig where Udi will find others knowledgable about Bulgarian and Bokharan origins. So you have an example of Levis' who calls themselves in a different surname, just like the SEGALs'. So each branch chose a surname which gives hint about their origin occupation, and kept it for the next temple... ==Interesting. Perhaps Udi can explain the following Temple duties. All were names assumed by my ur-known-ancestor, Suessl [ben] Hirsch haLevi: Bernet Frensdorf Frensdorff (this was the line of rabbis and scholars in Hamburg and Hanover) Feldheim Elkan Adlerstein Marum . . . and others. ==Levites and Kohanim diverged completely at least 2000 years ago. I am not aware that there has ever been a group pf Ashkenazi Jews who were anticipating, preparing for or training for an early restoration of Temple worship and sacrifices (in fact Maimonides has very firmly stated his belief that when the Temple is rebuilt, sacrifices will no longer be offered there. Maybe HALB"Z = high priests, SEGAL = second to the high priests and or in general: who served in the temple. >> ==or anybody or anything in general. There can be no end to speculation or to personal enquiry. ==Is it OK is we close now without knowing the answer why SG"L is a frequently used acronym that denotes on a document, register, tombstone, etc., that a specific person (who may bear one of thousands of names other than the family name SEGAL) is or was a Levite? We just don't know. We can make a few learned guesses, and we can make an unlimited number of unlearned guesses. Michael Bernet, New York MODERATOR NOTE: Sounds like a good suggestion. This is veering away >from genealogical issues. Further discussion of priestly duties and practices should take place off list.
|
|
|
|
English name for Ima
#general
Mervin
I have secured Canadian Naturalization papers for my uncle. In it he lists
as one of his children "Ima." I know, in Hebrew ima means mother. Can anyone help solve this mystery? Merv Glow Palm Springs mglow@...
|
|
|