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Welcome to the Jewish Genealogical and Archival Society of Greater Philadelphia (JGASGP). We invite you to enjoy our site. There is content for paid-up members only. If you are a member, please register for access. (Click Register at the right under “Logon Status”.) If not a member, please join. |
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Did you miss Renée Carl and Rich Venezia present The Future of USCIS Records? If you are logged in, you can see the presentation video at clicking here. Available until January 31, 2025. |
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Sunday, January 12, 2025 at 1:30 pm
(1 pm for Schmoozing and Mentoring)
Zoom Only Meeting
Speaker: Andrea Bentschneider, Professional Genealogist based in Hamburg, Germany
Andrea Bentschneider, a highly respected professional genealogist based in Hamburg, Germany, is renowned for her expertise and contributions to the field of genealogy. Since establishing “Beyond History” in 2004, she has emerged as Germany’s foremost expert in genealogical research. Andrea’s proficiency has led her to feature prominently in various national and international television formats, including shows like “Who Do You Think You Are?” and “Finding Your Roots,” as well as being a regular guest on German radio and TV programs. Her firm specializes in diverse genealogical services, including ancestor research, World Wars documentation, Jewish family research, and assistance with citizenship applications, catering to clients globally.
Since 2013, Andrea has served as the President of the Association of German-speaking Professional Genealogists, setting modern standards and accreditation in the field. She joined the board of the International German Genealogy Partnership as a Director at-large in 2024. A passionate educator, she regularly conducts webinars and presentations in English and German at various conferences, notably captivating audiences at RootsTech, IGGP and IAJGS conferences . With over 20 years of professional experience, Andrea and her team have completed more than 2,000 research projects, aiding over 1,800 clients. Her work philosophy, “We give your ancestors a voice and tell their stories,” reflects her commitment to uncovering and honoring the narratives of ancestors. Andrea’s global perspective.
Topic: Voyage of Hope and Hardship: The 19th Century Emigration Experience through German ports – Atlantic Crossing Realities and Requirements
During the 19th and early 20th centuries, a massive wave of emigrants, embarked on arduous journeys from German ports such as Hamburg, Bremen, and Stettin, seeking new lives across the Atlantic. This presentation delves deeply into the historical context of German emigration, emphasizing the compelling reasons behind these monumental decisions, with a particular focus on Jewish emigrants. It explores in detail the challenging conditions faced during the ocean crossing – from the financial burdens and lengthy travel durations to the often harsh and cramped conditions aboard the ships. The talk also highlights the phenomenon of indirect emigration, where Hamburg emerged as a pivotal transit point, leading to many emigrants becoming unexpectedly stranded in the UK, unable to reach their final destinations. The final segment of the presentation is dedicated to unveiling the rich tapestry of records and sources available for tracing these emigrant ancestors, including specialized lists of Jewish emigrants departing from Hamburg and other valuable resources that illuminate the paths of those not found in conventional passenger departure records.
WE WANT YOU TO CONNECT WITH THE JGASGP BOARD!!!
Our society has grown so much since the start of my term, one month before the onset of the pandemic. We have mushroomed to over 400 paid members and over 1500 members of our Facebook page. This is tremendously exciting! Although some of you have been members for decades, many are newcomers. It is wonderful to see our society in a new phase of growth.
In response to this surge in membership, the board wants to get a pulse on our members’ thoughts about the future activities of our society AND find out how each of you might be able to lend a hand.
If you have questions or comments for the JGASGP Board, just email President Felicia Mode Alexander at president@jgasgp.org.
Don’t forget to update your address and e-mail if it’s changed!
Email the changes to Marilyn Golden, membership@jgasgp.org
Our recent awards
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Our Book ClubJGASGP has a book club for members. We are meeting on Zoom every month except for July and August. Meetings are on the 4th Wednesday of the month at 7:30. Click here to learn about upcoming meetings. Members take turns leading our discussions. We are reading books by Jewish authors or books with Jewish themes. The link will be sent out the day of the meetings. Please mark your calendars and join us. Thanks to Beth Steiner for leading our discussion of The Book of Lost Names. We all said we liked historical fiction. * These books are available free to read at most free libraries in Philadelphia and the surrounding areas. Please consider joining us on our reading adventures. Any other suggestions??? Send your suggestions to Marilyn at membership@jgasgp.org (No meetings in July and August.) |
South 4th Street looking from Monroe to Fitzwater Sts. circa 1930
FYI
The Philadelphia Jewish Archives Center (PJAC) was formed through the efforts of the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia many years ago. Its’ mission was to collect, preserve, facilitate research and share the story of the Jewish communities of the Greater Philadelphia area. In 2009 the holdings of PJAC were transferred to the Special Records Collection at Temple University Libraries. With the support of many philanthropic individuals, an archivist position was endowed by PJAC. With our new name (Jewish Genealogical and Archival Society of Greater Philadelphia) and mission we will continue the great work of PJAC.
We encourage you to support the archives with donations and archival material. Donations may be made to the Philadelphia Jewish Archives Collection Endowment at: Temple University Libraries PO Box 71340 Philadelphia, PA 19176-9761
Donations can also be made through the library website: https://library.temple.edu/policies/10
Those interested in offering a donation of books or archival material to the Philadelphia Jewish Archives Collection should send a description of those materials to:
Margery Sly, Director of Special Collections Research Center
Email: msly@temple.edu
What’s New On Our Site!
December 2023 We have a group of 29 volunteers working to digitize the burial records of Har Jehuda Cemetery in Upper Darby. The records will be part of JewishGen.org (JOWBR). The first 29,000 records (A to Sc…) are available NOW on our website under cemetery data.
December, 2022 The Society celebrates our 40th anniversary and our first president Harry Boonin. Pictures are located here.
November 2021 Our president is interviewed in a Philadelphia Inquirer article about the ongoing cleanup of Har Nebo Cemetery and the problems of cemeteries that are not maintained or are vandalized. The article is at https://www.inquirer.com/life/jewish-cemeteries-philadelphia-conservation-pilot-project-nebo-oxford-circle-20211109.html
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JGASCP supported the Holocaust Awareness Museum and Education Center (HAMEC) Gala on November 6, 2021. Click the photo to enlarge |
October 2021 Our president, Felica Mode Alexander, was interviewed at the IAJGS2019 convention is Cleveland by Jarrett Ross, the GeneaVlogger, about her work with Holocaust education. The video is at https://youtu.be/tS3d3eeiwDw
October 2020
Goldstein’s Landsmanshaftn Cemetery data has been added to the Resources > Cemetery Data page. Landsmanshaftn organizations provided, among other things, burial societies.
August 2020 Meeting
Judy Baston: “Finding your Litvak Family” A handout is available by accessing the menu item, Archives>Meeting Summaries and Handouts.
Cemetery Records for Har Nebo Cemetery, Philadelphia, PA. You can find these under the Menu item “Resources”, then click on “Cemetery Data”
Miriam Weiner, our December meeting lecturer, was the subject of a recent article that appeared in the Jewish Exponent; “Genealogy Rock Star Discusses Digging Up Jewish Roots”. The article can be found under menu item “Archives”, then click on “Newspaper Articles”.
January 2020 Meeting
For Frederic Blum’s Handout, “How to locate Holocaust Survivors Through Genealogy”, please go to the menu item, “Archives”, then click on “Meeting Summaries and Handouts”
November 2019 Meeting
A handout from Deborah Long’s Lecture can be found on our website under menu item, “Archives”, then click on “Meeting Summaries and Handouts”
October 2019 Meeting
A handout from Jordan Auslander’s Lecture can be found on our website under menu item “Archives”, then click “Meeting Summaries and Handouts”
September 2019 Meeting
Sarina Roffe’s Lecture Handout can be found on our website under menu item “Archives”, then click “Meeting Summaries and Handouts”
Rabbi Shalom Bronstein’s reflections of Congregation Beth Am Israel during the 1940’s to the 1960’s can be found under the menu item “Resources”.The synagogue was originally located in SW Philadelphia. In 1973, the congregation moved to Penn Valley.
W. Todd Knowles’ Power Point Presentation on “Making the Most of FamilySearch for Jewish Research” can be found by going to the menu item “Archives” and clicking the “Meeting Summaries and Handouts” button.
Check out “An Ongoing History of Beth Emeth-B,nai Yitzhok Congegation” by Al Feldman. The synagogue was located in NE Philadelphia. You can find this document under the menu item “Resources”
Other Information
“A Service to the Jewish Community Award” was given to JGSGP on May 2, 2019 by the B’nai Brith Educators Unit Charter 5290.
For information on the JGSGP (JGASGP) Library at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania (HSP) look under the menu item, “Resources”. To go directly to the our library collection at the HSP, click here.