The Jewish Genealogical Society of Oregon invites you, your family and friends to its upcoming program “Read All About It!: Using Online Newspapers For Genealogical Research” by Janice M. Sellers

Description: Newspapers are valuable in genealogical research because you can find information about births, marriages, deaths, moves, business, naturalizations, court cases, and more. Millions of pages of the world’s newspapers are now accessible online, but there is no one place to find them all. This class provides an overview of what is available online and techniques to help improve your chances of finding information about your relatives.

Bio: Janice M. Sellers is a professional genealogist specializing in Jewish, black, forensic, and newspaper research. She edits three genealogy publications and serves on the boards of San Francisco Bay Area Jewish Genealogical Society, African American Genealogical Society of Northern California, and Council for the Advancement of Forensic Genealogy. She is also a member of Association of Professional Genealogists, Genealogical Speakers Guild, and California Genealogical Society. Before becoming a professional genealogist, she worked in publishing for many years as an editor, indexer, translator, and compositor. Her web site is ancestraldiscoveries.com.

The Jewish Genealogical Society of Oregon invites you, your family and friends to its upcoming program “Jewish Life in Poland” by Avraham Groll.

Description: Part 1 (10th-15th centuries) will explore patterns of Jewish migration to Poland between the 10th-15th centuries. We will discuss when and why the major shifts happened, where the Jews settled and their involvement in the Poland’s development. This presentation is designed for beginners, and is not a workshop. Maps, pictures, and documents will be displayed. Handouts with further information and a bibliography will also be distributed.

Part 2 (16th-18th centuries) will explore patterns of Jewish migration to Poland between the 16th-18th centuries. We will discuss the “Golden Age of Polish Jewry,” the reaction to Shabtai Tzvi, and how the Jewish experience in Poland helped set the stage, in part, for the eventual rise of the Hasidic movement. This presentation is designed for beginners, and is not a workshop. Maps, pictures, and documents will be displayed. Handouts

Bio: Avraham Groll, the Director of JewishGen.org, is passionate about connecting people with their Jewish roots, and helping them experience what it means to be part of the Jewish people. Avraham holds an MBA from Montclair State University, an MA in Judaic Studies from Touro College, and a BS in Business Administration from Ramapo college, and spent two years studying at Yeshiva Ohr Yeruslahayim in Israel. He is a frequent lecturer on a variety of Jewish genealogical and historical topics.

A Jewish Studies Sampler with Rabbi Jonathan Seidel PhD

Four Surveys of Intriguing and Slightly Mysterious Topics:

• The Dead Sea Scrolls Today
• Kabbalah – New Approaches and Discoveries both Scholarly and Popular
• Jewish Magic: Amulets, Healing and Transformation
• The Jewish Role in the Development of Science both Empirical and Mystical

Sundays: February 17, March 31, April 28, May 12
1:00 pm
Cost: $15. Register: oregonjcc.org/jewishlearning

A Jewish Studies Sampler with Rabbi Jonathan Seidel PhD

Four Surveys of Intriguing and Slightly Mysterious Topics:

• The Dead Sea Scrolls Today
• Kabbalah – New Approaches and Discoveries both Scholarly and Popular
• Jewish Magic: Amulets, Healing and Transformation
• The Jewish Role in the Development of Science both Empirical and Mystical

Sundays: February 17, March 31, April 28, May 12
1:00 pm
Cost: $15. Register: oregonjcc.org/jewishlearning

A Jewish Studies Sampler with Rabbi Jonathan Seidel PhD

Four Surveys of Intriguing and Slightly Mysterious Topics:

• The Dead Sea Scrolls Today
• Kabbalah – New Approaches and Discoveries both Scholarly and Popular
• Jewish Magic: Amulets, Healing and Transformation
• The Jewish Role in the Development of Science both Empirical and Mystical

Sundays: February 17, March 31, April 28, May 12
1:00 pm
Cost: $15. Register: oregonjcc.org/jewishlearning

A Jewish Studies Sampler with Rabbi Jonathan Seidel PhD

Four Surveys of Intriguing and Slightly Mysterious Topics:

• The Dead Sea Scrolls Today
• Kabbalah – New Approaches and Discoveries both Scholarly and Popular
• Jewish Magic: Amulets, Healing and Transformation
• The Jewish Role in the Development of Science both Empirical and Mystical

Sundays: February 17, March 31, April 28, May 12
1:00 pm
Cost: $15. Register: oregonjcc.org/jewishlearning

June’s JGSO meeting will be a research session providing one-on-one support. Bring your research materials and your personal laptops or tablets. Some computers with internet access will be available for those without. While you work with our Mavens/Experts, take advantage of some of the resources that are available within the library.

Set aside a few hours each month to work on your family tree. Redefine your research goals. Get help with the endless supply of genealogical websites. Exchange knowledge and ideas with others who have similar interests. Help others and be prepared to learn something new as you listen to other people’s questions and the processes used in finding their answers.

You’ve done your DNA, gotten your results, but don’t recognize any names and don’t know what to do next? Or have you been working on building out your family tree but need help to research your family?  Where do you begin?  How to get additional information if you’ve hit that brick wall?  This will be geared to help both newbies and those who have been working to build their family tree for many years.

Laurel Smith, past president of the Genealogy Forum of Oregon will present a mini “boot camp” to get everyone started. Contact: 503-997-1685, jgsoregon@gmail.com.

Cost:  The program is free to JGSO members. We request a $5 contribution from non-members. That fee can be applied to a membership should you decide to join JGSO at this meeting.

Please come early if you would like help from other genealogists.

Free Krav Maga Classes

December’s JGSO meeting will be a research session providing one-on-one support. Set aside a few hours each month to work on your family tree. Redefine your research goals. Get help with the endless supply of genealogical websites. Bring your research materials and your personal laptops or tablets. Some computers with internet access will be available for those without. While you work with our Mavens/Experts, take advantage of some of the resources that are available within the library.

All those interested in exploring their Jewish ancestry or family history in general are welcome. Even if you don’t have specific questions come and exchange knowledge and ideas with others who have similar interests. Help others and be prepared to learn something new as you listen to other people’s questions and the processes used in finding their answers.