Calendar

Oct
8
Sun
JGSO: Ellis Island Name Change Myth & “Finding “Waldo” at Ellis Island @ Congregation Ahavath Achim
Oct 8 @ 10:30 am – 12:30 pm

The Jewish Genealogical Society of Oregon invites you, your family and friends to its upcoming program on two topics – Ellis Island Name Change Myth & “Finding “Waldo” At Ellis Island presented by Joel Weintraub

Ellis Island Name Change Myth
The idea that inspectors at Ellis Island regularly Americanized immigrant names is a persistent myth. We will investigate the evidence that should exist (it doesn’t) to confirm the story as fact, and why name changing at the station was improbable given how immigrants were processed. The history of this immigration station, the types of people who passed through their doors, the legal documents (including their name) they came with, and station detention documents generated for about 1/6 of them, will be discussed with actual examples. Note: be prepared to avoid deportation by Inspector Weintraub.

Finding “Waldo” At Ellis Island
Using a case study, we will show how nine different strategies can be used to find the immigration record of an elusive immigrant to Ellis Island. For those who still cannot locate Ellis Island immigration records of their ancestors, this talk may provide some approaches you might not have tried. The difficulty of providing accurate indexes from transcriptions of ship manifests is a major problem associated with many of these strategies. We will see how well you do as a transcriber of manifest names.

Bio: Joel, a New Yorker by birth, is an emeritus Professor at California State University Fullerton and won awards for his science teaching. He volunteered for nine years at the National Archives and Records Administration. Joel created search tools for the U.S. and New York City censuses that are freely available on the Steve Morse “One-Step” website. He and Steve are currently developing locational tools for the 2022 release of the 1950 federal census. Joel has written and talked on NYC and Federal census research, immigration and naturalization, Ellis Island, biographical research, and Jewish genealogy topics.

Dec
3
Sun
JGSO: Read All About It!: Using Online Newspapers For Genealogical Research @ Congregation Ahavath Achim
Dec 3 @ 10:30 am – 12:30 pm

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.

Oct
7
Sun
JGSO: Jewish Life in Poland @ Congregation Ahavath Achim
Oct 7 @ 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm

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.

Oct
18
Thu
PDX Business Breakfast Series: Blockchain and Bitcoin… the Future? @ Portland State University
Oct 18 @ 7:15 am – 9:15 am

PDX Business Breakfast Series: Blockchain and Bitcoin… the Future?

Join us for a discussion of blockchain, its business applications, and whether it is the next “big thing.”

PSU – Native American Student & Community Center

7:15 – 8:00 am: Networking + Breakfast
8:00 – 9:15 am: Program

FEATURING:

Dr. Joe Kiniry of Galois and Free & Fair

Rob La Forte of Columbia Fresh Transportation Services

Jeff Mazer of moovel North America

Moderator: Joey Fishman of Ritholtz Wealth Management

For more details and to register: oregonjcc.org/pdxbiz

Feb
10
Sun
MJCC Summer Day Camp Info Fair @ Mittleman Jewish Community Center
Feb 10 @ 10:00 am – 1:00 pm

MJCC Summer Day Camp Info Fair

Learn about the MJCC Summer Day Camp programs, register, and meet camp staff!
Sunday, February 10
10:00 am – 1:00 pm

Jun
23
Sun
JGSO: Research Session @ Hillsdale Public Library
Jun 23 @ 10:30 am – 12:30 pm

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.

Jul
19
Fri
Shaba-lah Family Shabbat BBQ @ Mittleman Jewish Community Center
Jul 19 @ 3:30 pm

Shaba-lah Family Shabbat BBQ

Bring your family or join your child at camp for a special Shabbat. Enjoy a Shabbat set to the theme of camp this week with stories, songs, and more.
Friday, July 19
3:30 pm

Cost: MJCC Camp Families: $10 per family.
Community Members: $15 per family.
Register at: oregonjcc.org/shabbatbbq

Oct
21
Mon
Organize Yourself for Success: For Grades 5 – 12 @ Mittleman Jewish Community Center
Oct 21 @ 4:00 pm – 5:15 pm

Find Your Future Workshop
Organize Yourself for Success: For Grades 5 – 8 and 9 – 12 NEW!
Help your student start the school year off right by learning new study skills to maximize their efficiency and decrease stress. Focus on time management, prioritization, goal setting, and binder organization. This motivation-based approach builds students’ academic confidence and organizational skills. Instructor: Tina-Marie Baskin

SESSION 1, FOR BOTH GROUPS OF YOUTH GRADES 5 – 8 AND 9 -12 HAS BEEN CANCELLED.

For Youth Grades 5 – 8

Session II: Mondays
October 21, 28, November 4, 11
4:00 – 5:15 pm, SI102B

Cost: $56. Member Cost: $48.

For Youth Grades 9 – 12

Session II: Tuesdays
October 29, November 5, 12, 19
4:00 – 5:15 pm, SI103B

Cost: $56. Member Cost: $48.

Register: oregonjcc.org/registration

Oct
28
Mon
Organize Yourself for Success: For Grades 5 – 12 @ Mittleman Jewish Community Center
Oct 28 @ 4:00 pm – 5:15 pm

Find Your Future Workshop
Organize Yourself for Success: For Grades 5 – 8 and 9 – 12 NEW!
Help your student start the school year off right by learning new study skills to maximize their efficiency and decrease stress. Focus on time management, prioritization, goal setting, and binder organization. This motivation-based approach builds students’ academic confidence and organizational skills. Instructor: Tina-Marie Baskin

SESSION 1, FOR BOTH GROUPS OF YOUTH GRADES 5 – 8 AND 9 -12 HAS BEEN CANCELLED.

For Youth Grades 5 – 8

Session II: Mondays
October 21, 28, November 4, 11
4:00 – 5:15 pm, SI102B

Cost: $56. Member Cost: $48.

For Youth Grades 9 – 12

Session II: Tuesdays
October 29, November 5, 12, 19
4:00 – 5:15 pm, SI103B

Cost: $56. Member Cost: $48.

Register: oregonjcc.org/registration

Oct
29
Tue
Organize Yourself for Success: For Grades 5 – 12 @ Mittleman Jewish Community Center
Oct 29 @ 4:00 pm – 5:15 pm

Find Your Future Workshop
Organize Yourself for Success: For Grades 5 – 8 and 9 – 12 NEW!
Help your student start the school year off right by learning new study skills to maximize their efficiency and decrease stress. Focus on time management, prioritization, goal setting, and binder organization. This motivation-based approach builds students’ academic confidence and organizational skills. Instructor: Tina-Marie Baskin

SESSION 1, FOR BOTH GROUPS OF YOUTH GRADES 5 – 8 AND 9 -12 HAS BEEN CANCELLED.

For Youth Grades 5 – 8

Session II: Mondays
October 21, 28, November 4, 11
4:00 – 5:15 pm, SI102B

Cost: $56. Member Cost: $48.

For Youth Grades 9 – 12

Session II: Tuesdays
October 29, November 5, 12, 19
4:00 – 5:15 pm, SI103B

Cost: $56. Member Cost: $48.

Register: oregonjcc.org/registration