past meetings
Speaker
Meeting Topic
J.D. Arden, Center for Jewish History
Exploring Your New York Family History Online
9/17/2020
Most of us had family that began their US experience in New York. Their New York experience is an important part of our story. This talk focused on immigrants to New York with an emphasis on resources available at the CJH Ackerman and Ziff Family Genealogy Institute.
Dr. Liba Casson-Nudell
Shining a Light on Jewish Genealogy
7/12/2020
This webinar was an introductory genealogy class focused upon the beginner-level researcher who wants to start an exploration of their family history and Jewish roots. It covered the basics of how to get started using Internet resources including free websites such as JewishGen, FamilySearch, CJH.org, MyHeritage.com, local public libraries, and paid websites such as Ancestry.com.
Kate Dietrick and Susan Weinberg
Finding Treasures in the Archives
5/24/2020
This webinar was presented from two perspectives, an archivist and a user. Kate Dietrick, archivist for the Berman Jewish Archives spoke of what you can expect when you visit the archives and Susan Weinberg, author and genealogist, shared the experience of a user of both the MN Historical Society and the Berman Jewish Archives and what she found on individuals and the broader Jewish community while doing research for her book.
Kate Dietrick
Saving Your Family History
4/12/2020
Many of us have them: piles of family papers stashed haphazardly in a box in the attic, photographs peeling off old photo album pages in the basement. As an archivist dealing with old and rare materials, Kate Dietrick offered expert tips to keep memorable items safe for the long haul.
Joanie Schirm, Eva Moreimi, Tina Edstam
Czechs, China and the Holocaust
1/25/2020
Presentation by authors and speakers on Czech Jews and their experience in the Holocaust. Joanie Holzer Schirm, author of My Dear Boy, Eva Moreimi, author of Hidden Recipes and Dr. Tina Edstam on Jewish-Christian relationships in the Czech Republic.
Dan Kastrul
Street-Smart DNA
10/27/2019
Understanding the tools and terminology to find matches in your DNA data using GedMatch.
Tina Edstam Phd
Never Again? Historical Themes & Genealogical Discoveries
9/6/2019
Tina spoke about her travels to both the Czech Republic and Sweden to meet with living relatives. She shared her discovery of family while providing a historical context which connected to contemporary issues of antisemitism.
Jeanne Bielke-Rodenbiker, Susan Weinberg
Library Genealogy Resources and Researching Your Ancestors' Journey
7/14/2019
Jeanne shared genealogical resources available through the Hennepin Library and Susan introduced ways to explore immigration records, followed by a working session.
Janet Horvath
Pursuing Our History: Researching When Ancestors are Gone
5/23/2019
Janet Horvath shared her search into family Holocaust history and a unique connection to Leonard Bernstein that makes her history sing.
Sally Abrams, Claude Riedel, Heewon Lee
Genealogy, DNA and Adoption: Blessings and Pitfalls
4/3/2019
Panelists: Sally Abrams, a Beth El member, who recently discovered through DNA analysis a half-sister she never knew she had. Claude Riedel, a retired psychologist, an adoptee himself, who specialized in adoption in his practice. Claude addressed the emotional aspects of searching for birth parents and siblings. Heewon Lee, also an adoptee, a graduate student in the genetic counseling program at the University of Minnesota.
Panel moderated by Walter Elias, President of the MNJGS
Susan Weinberg
A 3-D View of Immigration: Laws, Documents and Story
1/27/2019
A 3-D View of Immigration, presents a perspective on immigration through the lens of laws, documents and family story. With a focus on the 1900s, Susan will examine the immigration laws that affected entry, the immigration documents that were created with changes in the law and the stories of the Jews of the 1900s who came to America.
Bennett Greenspan
DNA and Ancestral Jewish Roots
10/7/2018
The overwhelming majority of Jews living today can trace their roots back to the Middle East with a little DNA testing. Bennett Greenspan discussed what DNA testing has taught us about Jewish roots, shared the latest research and his expertise about how to use DNA to determine ancestral Jewish roots, settle family disputes and connect to long-lost relatives.
Bennett Greenspan
Discovering Your Jewish DNA
10/6/2018
A private MNJGS evening with world-renowned Jewish DNA expert Bennett Greenspan, founder of Family Tree DNA. Bennett shared personal insights and answered questions about Jewish DNA.
Dr. Steven Heifetz
How I Found My Jewish Roots in a Wisconsin Barn
7/1/2018
Dr. Steven Heifetz shared the discovery of his ancestral roots in a small town in Wisconsin and some amazing artifacts that played a role in his family today.
Jay Sage
DNA Testing: A Genealogical Tool
4/14/2018
Tina Scott Edstam, Phd
The Jewish Czech Experience: Historical Overview, Personal Journey
03/04/2018
Tina Scott Edstam, Phd taught us about the Jewish Czech Experience through both personal and historical stories.
Susan Weinberg
History & Impact of Immigration Laws in US (jointly with Or Emet)
02/04/2018
Joanne Sher
Translating Jewish Tombstones
6/11/2017
Frederick Hertz
Finding David Blumenfeld
3/19/2017
Ellen Engseth
How to Archive Your Genealogical Information
9/18/2016
Bill Rosenbloom
Visit to Sons of Jacob cemetery
7/10/2016
Kate Dietrick
Using the Jewish Archives
2/24/2016
Joanne Sher
Genealogy Research: Basics of Jewish Genealogy
11/15/2015
Bill Wolpert
Intro to Jewishgen.org
06/14/2015
Group tour
Tour of Family History Library-Crystal
05/12/2015
Lesley Cafarelli
Genealogical Proof
04/15/2015
Susan Weinberg
Capturing the Stories
02/08/2015