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
|
Israel@70
#austria-czech
Groll, Avraham
Yom Ha'Atzmaut 5778
April 19, 2018 Dear JewishGen Family, In honor of Yom Ha'Atzmaut, and the 70th birthday of the State of Israel, here are links to a few articles contained in various Yizkor Books that JewishGen has translated. They contain first-hand accounts of the dreams, yearnings, desires, and hardships that people experienced to reach the land of Israel. (1) Plonsk, Poland: "My Youth in Plonsk" - by David Ben-Gurion. https://www.jewishgen.org/Yizkor/plonsk/plo031.html This article >from the Plonsk, Poland Yizkor Book was written by the first Prime Minister of Israel, and describes, in great detail, his desire to embrace the Hebrew language, and to live in Israel >from a young age. (2) "I Made Aliyah on the Eve of the Holocaust" (scroll down to p. 195) - by Sarah Yasmin (Schwartzblat). https://www.jewishgen.org/yizkor/rokitnoye/rok179.html Anyone who has read the Leon Uris book "Exodus" or seen the movie will recognize this story written by a former resident of Roktyne (which is included in the Roktyne, Ukraine Yizkor Book). Sarah writes of the squalid conditions of the decrepit ships, the fears of people who knew the chances to reach 'Eretz Yisroel' "were dim" and the British efforts to turn away refugees. (3) "In the days of the Second Aliyah" - by Rivka Machneimy (Holodenko). https://www.jewishgen.org/yizkor/bender/ben081.html This article (>from the Bender, Moldova Yizkor Book) was written by the daughter of Baruch Holodenko (a well-known educator, and delegate to the Zionist Congress), who made Aliyah at the age of 17, and against the wishes of her father. 4) ">from Divenishok to Eretz-Israel" (scroll down to page 119) - by Khenye Harari. https://www.jewishgen.org/yizkor/dieveniskes/die087.html A small article (>from the Divenishok, Lithuania Yizkor Book) which imparts the joy and anticipation the author felt as she approached Israel. Wishing you all the best and Chag Sameach, Avraham Groll Director JewishGen.org
|
|
|
|
Austria-Czech SIG #Austria-Czech Israel@70
#austria-czech
Groll, Avraham
Yom Ha'Atzmaut 5778
April 19, 2018 Dear JewishGen Family, In honor of Yom Ha'Atzmaut, and the 70th birthday of the State of Israel, here are links to a few articles contained in various Yizkor Books that JewishGen has translated. They contain first-hand accounts of the dreams, yearnings, desires, and hardships that people experienced to reach the land of Israel. (1) Plonsk, Poland: "My Youth in Plonsk" - by David Ben-Gurion. https://www.jewishgen.org/Yizkor/plonsk/plo031.html This article >from the Plonsk, Poland Yizkor Book was written by the first Prime Minister of Israel, and describes, in great detail, his desire to embrace the Hebrew language, and to live in Israel >from a young age. (2) "I Made Aliyah on the Eve of the Holocaust" (scroll down to p. 195) - by Sarah Yasmin (Schwartzblat). https://www.jewishgen.org/yizkor/rokitnoye/rok179.html Anyone who has read the Leon Uris book "Exodus" or seen the movie will recognize this story written by a former resident of Roktyne (which is included in the Roktyne, Ukraine Yizkor Book). Sarah writes of the squalid conditions of the decrepit ships, the fears of people who knew the chances to reach 'Eretz Yisroel' "were dim" and the British efforts to turn away refugees. (3) "In the days of the Second Aliyah" - by Rivka Machneimy (Holodenko). https://www.jewishgen.org/yizkor/bender/ben081.html This article (>from the Bender, Moldova Yizkor Book) was written by the daughter of Baruch Holodenko (a well-known educator, and delegate to the Zionist Congress), who made Aliyah at the age of 17, and against the wishes of her father. 4) ">from Divenishok to Eretz-Israel" (scroll down to page 119) - by Khenye Harari. https://www.jewishgen.org/yizkor/dieveniskes/die087.html A small article (>from the Divenishok, Lithuania Yizkor Book) which imparts the joy and anticipation the author felt as she approached Israel. Wishing you all the best and Chag Sameach, Avraham Groll Director JewishGen.org
|
|
|
|
Kavarskas, Lithuania
#general
Judith Singer
I would like to announce the formation of a Facebook group, "Jewish
History of Kavarskas, Lithuania and Surrounding Communities". If you have questions about an ancestor >from Kavarskas, Kurkliai or other nearby communities, or if you have relevant information or photographs you would like to share, I hope you will join us. Judith Singer CHARNEY / CHERNOFF / CHARNO >from Kavarskas
|
|
|
|
JewishGen Discussion Group #JewishGen Kavarskas, Lithuania
#general
Judith Singer
I would like to announce the formation of a Facebook group, "Jewish
History of Kavarskas, Lithuania and Surrounding Communities". If you have questions about an ancestor >from Kavarskas, Kurkliai or other nearby communities, or if you have relevant information or photographs you would like to share, I hope you will join us. Judith Singer CHARNEY / CHERNOFF / CHARNO >from Kavarskas
|
|
|
|
IAJGS Welcomes Newest Member - Capital Region Jewish Genealogical Society (Albany, NY area)
#general
On behalf of the IAJGS Board and our current membership, it is with great
pleasure that we welcome the Capital Region Jewish Genealogical Society as the newest member of our growing family of IAJGS organizations. For more information about the Albany, New York group, please see contact the organization's Secretary, Susan Kugler at crjgs1@... The group already has been presenting programs since last fall and is continuing to work on the remainder of the current year's schedule. The next meeting, "An Introduction to Using DNA in Genealogy", will be Sunday April 22nd >from 10:00 AM through noon at Congregation Gates of Heaven in Schenectady (852 Ashmore Ave, Schenectady). The meeting is open to current and prospective members. The International Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies (IAJGS) was formed in 1988 as a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. IAJGS is an umbrella group of organizations which provides a common voice for issues of significance to its members, to advocate for and educate about our genealogical avocation, and to coordinate items such as the annual International Conference on Jewish Genealogy. For more information on IAJGS, please see our website at http://www.iajgs.org/blog/ or contact me at membership@... Nolan Altman Membership Development
|
|
|
|
JewishGen Discussion Group #JewishGen IAJGS Welcomes Newest Member - Capital Region Jewish Genealogical Society (Albany, NY area)
#general
On behalf of the IAJGS Board and our current membership, it is with great
pleasure that we welcome the Capital Region Jewish Genealogical Society as the newest member of our growing family of IAJGS organizations. For more information about the Albany, New York group, please see contact the organization's Secretary, Susan Kugler at crjgs1@... The group already has been presenting programs since last fall and is continuing to work on the remainder of the current year's schedule. The next meeting, "An Introduction to Using DNA in Genealogy", will be Sunday April 22nd >from 10:00 AM through noon at Congregation Gates of Heaven in Schenectady (852 Ashmore Ave, Schenectady). The meeting is open to current and prospective members. The International Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies (IAJGS) was formed in 1988 as a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. IAJGS is an umbrella group of organizations which provides a common voice for issues of significance to its members, to advocate for and educate about our genealogical avocation, and to coordinate items such as the annual International Conference on Jewish Genealogy. For more information on IAJGS, please see our website at http://www.iajgs.org/blog/ or contact me at membership@... Nolan Altman Membership Development
|
|
|
|
JGS of Maryland April 29 program
#general
Speaker: Brooke Schreier Ganz
Title: "Reclaim The Records: Using Freedom of Information Laws for Genealogy" Date and Time: Sunday, April 29, 2018, 1:30 p.m. Location: Pikesville Library'?s meeting room, 1301 Reisterstown Rd, Pikesville, MD Please join us on Sunday, April 29, 2018, to hear Brooke Schreier Ganz present "?Reclaim The Records: Using Freedom of Information Laws for Genealogy." Tired of being told by archives, libraries, and government agencies that the genealogical records you want are "unavailable"? We were, too, so we figured out how to do something about it. We're Reclaim The Records, a new not-for-profit activist group of more than 5000 genealogists, researchers, historians, and journalists. We use Freedom of Information laws - and sometimes even lawsuits - to obtain copies of previously inaccessible archival record sets, which we then put online for free public use. We've won the first-ever public and online access to more than twenty million archival records, including the New York City marriage license index (1909-1995), the New York State death index (1880-1956), and the New Jersey marriage index (1901-2016), and we have an ongoing lawsuit for the Missouri birth and death index (1910-present), and more. This presentation will explain how we accomplished this, as well as the history and legal basics of Freedom of Information laws, and will teach researchers how to file requests for any records that may help their own family tree research. The program is free for paid members and $5 for non-members (applied to membership fee when a visitor joins JGSMD) after their first meeting. Refreshments will be available. Please check our web site at www.jgsmd.org for late updates and for the time, location, and program of future meetings. Susan Steeble Baltimore, MD JGSMD Public Relations
|
|
|
|
JewishGen Discussion Group #JewishGen JGS of Maryland April 29 program
#general
Speaker: Brooke Schreier Ganz
Title: "Reclaim The Records: Using Freedom of Information Laws for Genealogy" Date and Time: Sunday, April 29, 2018, 1:30 p.m. Location: Pikesville Library'?s meeting room, 1301 Reisterstown Rd, Pikesville, MD Please join us on Sunday, April 29, 2018, to hear Brooke Schreier Ganz present "?Reclaim The Records: Using Freedom of Information Laws for Genealogy." Tired of being told by archives, libraries, and government agencies that the genealogical records you want are "unavailable"? We were, too, so we figured out how to do something about it. We're Reclaim The Records, a new not-for-profit activist group of more than 5000 genealogists, researchers, historians, and journalists. We use Freedom of Information laws - and sometimes even lawsuits - to obtain copies of previously inaccessible archival record sets, which we then put online for free public use. We've won the first-ever public and online access to more than twenty million archival records, including the New York City marriage license index (1909-1995), the New York State death index (1880-1956), and the New Jersey marriage index (1901-2016), and we have an ongoing lawsuit for the Missouri birth and death index (1910-present), and more. This presentation will explain how we accomplished this, as well as the history and legal basics of Freedom of Information laws, and will teach researchers how to file requests for any records that may help their own family tree research. The program is free for paid members and $5 for non-members (applied to membership fee when a visitor joins JGSMD) after their first meeting. Refreshments will be available. Please check our web site at www.jgsmd.org for late updates and for the time, location, and program of future meetings. Susan Steeble Baltimore, MD JGSMD Public Relations
|
|
|
|
Kavarskas
#lithuania
Judith Singer
I would like to announce the formation of a Facebook group, "Jewish
History of Kavarskas, Lithuania and Surrounding Communities". If you have questions about an ancestor >from Kavarskas, Kurkliai or other nearby communities, or if you have relevant information or photographs you would like to share, I hope you will join us. Judith Singer CHARNEY / CHERNOFF / CHARNO >from Kavarskas
|
|
|
|
Lithuania SIG #Lithuania Kavarskas
#lithuania
Judith Singer
I would like to announce the formation of a Facebook group, "Jewish
History of Kavarskas, Lithuania and Surrounding Communities". If you have questions about an ancestor >from Kavarskas, Kurkliai or other nearby communities, or if you have relevant information or photographs you would like to share, I hope you will join us. Judith Singer CHARNEY / CHERNOFF / CHARNO >from Kavarskas
|
|
|
|
The Global Partisans' Song Project on South African National TV
#lithuania
This impressive 12 minute segment on the Global Partisans' Song
Project featured on SABC TV, South Africa's national television network, last Sunday: https://youtu.be/tnaCtuqVBgg There are many Jewish educators around the world with connections to either United Herzlia Schools in Cape Town or King David Schools in Johannesburg. Add to that the large percentage of Jewish South African migrants who attended these two schools. They must feel particularly proud of their Alma Maters that are engaging Jewish students to stand up and be proud and knowledgeable of their Jewish cultural heritage. We must not forget the significant contribution of the teachers and many students of the ORT schools in the FSU - the Former Soviet Union, who have participated. ORT schools in the FSU which have supported the program are in Russia, Ukraine, Moldova, Lithuania and Estonia. The most prominent Jewish person who attended Herzlia School in Cape = Town is none other than the Chief Rabbi of the British Commonwealth, = Ephraim Mirvis. The Partisans' Song Project: http://elirab.me/zog-nit-keynmol/ Shabbat Shalom Eli Rabinowitz Perth Australia http://elirab.me
|
|
|
|
Lithuania SIG #Lithuania The Global Partisans' Song Project on South African National TV
#lithuania
This impressive 12 minute segment on the Global Partisans' Song
Project featured on SABC TV, South Africa's national television network, last Sunday: https://youtu.be/tnaCtuqVBgg There are many Jewish educators around the world with connections to either United Herzlia Schools in Cape Town or King David Schools in Johannesburg. Add to that the large percentage of Jewish South African migrants who attended these two schools. They must feel particularly proud of their Alma Maters that are engaging Jewish students to stand up and be proud and knowledgeable of their Jewish cultural heritage. We must not forget the significant contribution of the teachers and many students of the ORT schools in the FSU - the Former Soviet Union, who have participated. ORT schools in the FSU which have supported the program are in Russia, Ukraine, Moldova, Lithuania and Estonia. The most prominent Jewish person who attended Herzlia School in Cape = Town is none other than the Chief Rabbi of the British Commonwealth, = Ephraim Mirvis. The Partisans' Song Project: http://elirab.me/zog-nit-keynmol/ Shabbat Shalom Eli Rabinowitz Perth Australia http://elirab.me
|
|
|
|
New Kaunas 1922 Household Census
#lithuania
Salinger Ralph
Perhaps the most exciting event of my period as Kaunas District Coordinator
is the great pleasure in announcing that the 1922 Kaunas Household Census has been posted to our Kaunas District Research Group site. It is a file with over 16,000 names detailing who lived where in Kaunas in 1922 ! If you are not a part of the Kaunas District Research Group and are interested in joining to see this incredible document. Please contact me and I will send you details of how to join our group. Ralph Salinger salinger@...
|
|
|
|
Lithuania SIG #Lithuania New Kaunas 1922 Household Census
#lithuania
Salinger Ralph
Perhaps the most exciting event of my period as Kaunas District Coordinator
is the great pleasure in announcing that the 1922 Kaunas Household Census has been posted to our Kaunas District Research Group site. It is a file with over 16,000 names detailing who lived where in Kaunas in 1922 ! If you are not a part of the Kaunas District Research Group and are interested in joining to see this incredible document. Please contact me and I will send you details of how to join our group. Ralph Salinger salinger@...
|
|
|
|
Re: Book on Jewish Belarus Genealogy
#belarus
Andrei Burdenkov <andrei.burdenkov@...>
For Belarus genealogy basics:
an interview with a guy >from Minsk archives who tells about sources, ways and terms of independent search. On my non-profit graves.by website there are links to archives and online resources though in Belarus many handy sources are offline. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lufCz3O_FF8&list=PLk8V5rzyfY17TCs-KtQBDhqBtBq699qfJ Andrei graves.by
|
|
|
|
Belarus SIG #Belarus Re: Book on Jewish Belarus Genealogy
#belarus
Andrei Burdenkov <andrei.burdenkov@...>
For Belarus genealogy basics:
an interview with a guy >from Minsk archives who tells about sources, ways and terms of independent search. On my non-profit graves.by website there are links to archives and online resources though in Belarus many handy sources are offline. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lufCz3O_FF8&list=PLk8V5rzyfY17TCs-KtQBDhqBtBq699qfJ Andrei graves.by
|
|
|
|
Book on Jewish Belarus Genalogy
#belarus
Marion Werle <werleme@...>
Yesterday there was a posting that erroneously suggested that Arlene
Beare's "A Guide to Jewish Genealogy in Latvia and Estonia" includes Belarus. It does not. The book focuses on exactly what its title states, namely Latvia and Estonia. Hope that helps. -- Marion Werle <werleme@...>
|
|
|
|
Belarus SIG #Belarus Book on Jewish Belarus Genalogy
#belarus
Marion Werle <werleme@...>
Yesterday there was a posting that erroneously suggested that Arlene
Beare's "A Guide to Jewish Genealogy in Latvia and Estonia" includes Belarus. It does not. The book focuses on exactly what its title states, namely Latvia and Estonia. Hope that helps. -- Marion Werle <werleme@...>
|
|
|
|
Re: Where is Kruk or Crook in Latvia?
#latvia
Carol Hoffman
If you look at the location of Kriukai on the map
https://www.litvaksig.org/research/map/, you can see that is very close to Latvia. In fact it is only 90 km >from Riga. Carol Hoffman President LitvakSIG
|
|
|
|
Latvia SIG #Latvia Re: Where is Kruk or Crook in Latvia?
#latvia
Carol Hoffman
If you look at the location of Kriukai on the map
https://www.litvaksig.org/research/map/, you can see that is very close to Latvia. In fact it is only 90 km >from Riga. Carol Hoffman President LitvakSIG
|
|
|