The International Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies, Inc. (IAJGS) is an independent non-profit umbrella organization coordinating the activities and annual conference of 84 Jewish genealogical societies worldwide.
History
The IAJGS was formed in the late-1980s. Rabbi Malcolm H. Stern and Sallyann Amdur Sack were instrumental in creating the initial concept, and assisted various member organizations with their formation.
Annual conferences
The IAJGS coordinates an annual conference on Jewish genealogy, which takes place in a different city each year.[1] The conferences have an educational track and include opportunities for networking and meetings with SIGs and BOF groups. Topics like DNA testing are typically covered.[2] In recent years, attendees have described success stories after hitting research roadblocks.[3][4]
Future conferences
2020: San Diego, CA, 40th IAJGS International Conference on Jewish Genealogy. August 9–14, 2020 at the Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina[5]
Past conferences
1981: New York City, Summer Seminar on Jewish Genealogy
1982: Washington DC, Summer Seminar on Jewish Genealogy II
1983: Los Angeles, 3rd National Summer Seminar on Jewish Genealogy
1984: Chicago, 4th National Summer Seminar on Jewish Genealogy
1984: Jerusalem, International Seminar on Jewish Genealogy
1985: New York City, 5th National Summer Seminar on Jewish Genealogy
1986: Salt Lake City, 6th National Summer Seminar on Jewish Genealogy
1987: London, 2nd International Jewish Genealogy Conference
1988: Washington DC, 7th Summer Seminar on Jewish Genealogy
1989: Philadelphia, 8th National Seminar on Jewish Genealogy
1990: Los Angeles, 9th Annual Seminar on Jewish Genealogy
1991: Salt Lake City, 3rd International Seminar on Jewish Genealogy
1992: New York City, 11th Annual Seminar on Jewish Genealogy
1993: Toronto, 12th Annual International Summer Seminar on Jewish Genealogy
1994: Jerusalem, 4th International Seminar on Jewish Genealogy
1995: Washington DC, 14th Summer Seminar on Jewish Genealogy. June 25–29, 1995
1996: Boston, 15th Summer Seminar on Jewish Genealogy – hosted by the JGS of Greater Boston. July 14–19, 1996, at the Boston Park Plaza
1997: Paris, 5th International Seminar on Jewish Genealogy / 5e Congrès International de Généalogie Juive
1998: Los Angeles, 18th Annual Seminar on Jewish Genealogy. July 12–17, 1998
1999: New York City, 19th Annual Conference on Jewish Genealogy – hosted by the Jewish Genealogical Society New York (JGSNY). August 8–13, 1999, at the New York Marriott
2000: Salt Lake City, 20th Annual Conference on Jewish Genealogy. July 9–14, 2000, at DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Hotel Salt Lake City
2002: Toronto, 22nd IAJGS International Conference on Jewish Genealogy – hosted by the Jewish Genealogical Society of Canada (Toronto). August 4–9, 2002, at Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel
2004: Jerusalem, 24th IAJGS International Conference on Jewish Genealogy – hosted by the Israel Genealogical Society. July 4–9, 2004, at the Renaissance Jerusalem Hotel
2005: Las Vegas, 25th IAJGS International Conference on Jewish Genealogy – hosted by Jewish Genealogy Society of Southern Nevada. July 10–15, 2005, at the Flamingo Las Vegas
2006: New York City, 26th IAJGS International Conference on Jewish Genealogy – hosted by Jewish Genealogical Society (NY). August 13–18, 2006, at New York Marriott Marquis Hotel
2007: Salt Lake City, 27th IAJGS International Conference on Jewish Genealogy – hosted by IAJGS. July 15–20, 2007, at Hilton City Center
2008: Chicago, 28th IAJGS International Conference on Jewish Genealogy – co-hosted by IAJGS, Jewish Genealogical Society of Illinois and Illiana Jewish Genealogical Society. August 17–22, 2008, at Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile
2009: Philadelphia, 29th IAJGS International Conference on Jewish Genealogy – co-hosted by IAJGS and Jewish Genealogical Society of Greater Philadelphia. August 2–7, 2009, at Sheraton Philadelphia City
2010: Los Angeles, 30th IAJGS International Conference on Jewish Genealogy – hosted by Jewish Genealogical Society of Los Angeles. July 11–16, 2010, at JW Marriott Los Angeles LA LIVE
2011: Washington DC, 31st IAJGS International Conference on Jewish Genealogy – hosted by Jewish Genealogy Society of Greater Washington DC. August 14–19, 2011, at Grand Hyatt Washington Center Hotel
2012: Paris, 32nd IAJGS International Conference on Jewish Genealogy – hosted by Cercle de Généalogie Juive in partnership with Jewish Genealogical Societies of Switzerland, Belgium and Luxembourg. July 15–18, 2012, at Paris Marriott Rive Gauche Hotel & Conference Center
2013: Boston, 33rd IAJGS International Conference on Jewish Genealogy – co-hosted by IAJGS and Jewish Genealogical Society of Greater Boston. August 4–9, 2013, at Boston Park Plaza
2014: Salt Lake City, 34th IAJGS International Conference on Jewish Genealogy – co-hosted by IAJGS and Utah Jewish Genealogical Society. July 27–August 1, 2014, at Hilton City Center
2015: Jerusalem, 35th IAJGS International Conference on Jewish Genealogy – co-hosted by IAJGS and Israel Genealogy Research Association and IGS. July 6–10, 2015, at the Ramada Hotel Jerusalem
2016: Seattle, 36th IAJGS International Conference on Jewish Genealogy – co-hosted by IAJGS and Jewish Genealogical Society of Washington State and local host Jewish Genealogical Society of Oregon. August 7–12, 2016, at the Sheraton Seattle
2017: Orlando, 37th Annual IAJGS International Conference on Jewish Genealogy – co-hosted by IAJGS and the International Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies and the Jewish Genealogical Society of Greater Orlando. July 23-28, 2017, at Walt Disney World Swan Resort Orlando
2018: Warsaw, 38th IAJGS International Conference on Jewish Genealogy co-hosted by POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews, Emanuel Ringelblum Jewish Historical Institute of Warsaw in cooperation with The Polish State Archives. August 5–10, 2018, at Hilton Warsaw Hotel and Convention Centre
2019: Cleveland, 39th IAJGS International Conference on Jewish Genealogy – 39th IAJGS International Conference on Jewish Genealogy with local host The Jewish Genealogy Society of Cleveland. July 28–August 2, 2019, at the Hilton Cleveland Downtown Hotel
International Jewish Genealogy Month
International Jewish Genealogy Month honors Jewish ancestors through the pursuit of Jewish family history research. IAJGS sponsors and supports International Jewish Genealogy Month by holding an annual poster contest. The goal of International Jewish Genealogy Month is to encourage Jewish genealogy and publicize JGS organizations and activities all over the world.[6] It is celebrated annually on the Hebrew month of Cheshvan. From 1999 through 2006, Avotaynu, Inc. promoted Jewish Genealogy Month until 2007 when IAJGS began sponsoring the event.
Member organizations
IAJGS supported member organizations offer regular meetings and educational events, often centered around genealogical subjects like DNA genealogy and other specialized research.[7]
