Big News! “One Day in October” series premieres today on HBO Max!
Tune in to watch a dramatization of the terrorist attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023.
The series is co-produced by FOX Entertainment Studios in partnership with Israel’s yes TV and in association with Moriah Media, the storytelling arm of the Simon Wiesenthal Center.
The gripping series chronicles seven firsthand accounts of courage, survival, loss and love that rise above politics, nationality and religion to spotlight our shared humanity.
Telling these stories matters—not only as portrayals of the history of that fateful day, but as advocacy in the face of rising antisemitism and an increasingly embattled Jewish state.
Tracing Jewish roots in Galicia and Bukovina can be especially challenging. These regions were once part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and over time their borders shifted between Poland, Romania, and Ukraine. Records may be written in multiple languages (Hebrew, Yiddish, Polish, German, Ukrainian, or Russian), and many archives were dispersed or lost due to war and the Holocaust. Because of this, specialized organizations and projects dedicated to preserving and making accessible the history of these communities are invaluable resources for genealogists.
In my work helping a 95-year-old child survivor of the Holocaust who was born in Galicia, I came across two very useful research sites. Both provide invaluable information and insight for anyone exploring Jewish life in these regions.
1. The Jewish Galicia and Bukovina Organization (JGB)
Your gateway to digitized records, maps, photographs, cemetery projects, and the documented heritage of Jewish communities in Galicia and Bukovina.
The Jewish Galicia and Bukovina Organization is a non-profit dedicated to documenting, preserving, and sharing the history and cultural heritage of Jewish communities from these regions. The site offers access to historical records, photographs, cemetery documentation, maps, and more.
2. The Research Project on Bukovinian and Galician Jewry
An academic–community collaboration offering online courses, digitized Jewish periodicals, and forums for the study of Galician and Bukovinian Jewish life.
This project is a collaboration between the University of Haifa and the Jewish Galicia and Bukovina Organization. It provides online courses, a scholars forum, digitized Jewish periodicals, conferences, and news about ongoing research.
One of their courses, taught by Prof. Joshua Shanes, is “Jews of Galicia: A History.” It surveys the social, political, religious, and cultural history of Galicia’s Jewish community from the 18th century to the Holocaust.
The FBI is warning about the Phantom Hacker Scam which is specifically targeting seniors and has raked in over a billion dollars in the past couple of years. They first warned about this scam two years ago. This summer they reiterated their warning that it remains active and dangerous, noting that less than 15% of the folks who are scammed are able to get their stolen money back. This has special relevance to our fellow genealogists, many of who fall into the target demographic. "FBI Warning of scams targeting seniors" discusses this scam, how to recognize it, and steps to take to avoid becoming a victim. It also stresses that even if we would never fall for it, unsuspecting friends and relatives might. So, we need to look out for one another.
"FBI Warning of scams targeting seniors" can be found in the Practicing Safe Computing compendium, which has been published on the JGSCV website and is freely available at https://tinyurl.com/SafeComputingArticles .
IAJGS Leaders are reminded that they are free share any of its articles, with appropriate attribution.
Thank you for supporting and participating in the 2025 events of the Jewish Genealogical Society of Greater Miami (JGSGM). We are proud to share the list of programs we have presented since January:
Past Programs – 2025
January 12 – Holocaust Remembrance Day with Professor Jeannette Grunhaus de Gelman
January 16 – Discover Your Jewish Genealogical Roots with Paulette Bronstein at the Northeast Aventura Library Branch
February 25 – How I Created a Family Tree and Family History Book with David Light
March 20 – Discover Your Jewish Genealogical Roots with Paulette Bronstein at the Northeast Aventura Library Branch
April 17 – Unraveling Family Mysteries: A Journey of Discovery
April 24 – Holocaust Remembrance Day (Yom HaShoah)
April 27 – Award-Winning Film Screening
May 4 – Preserving Your Family’s Immigration Journey
May 15 – Basic Genealogy Methodology with Paulette Bronstein at the Northeast Aventura Library Branch
June 8 – Celebrating Shavuot: Ancient Traditions Meet Modern Times with Michael Milgrom
June 26 – Who Are You and Who Are Your Ancestors with Paulette Bronstein at the Northeast Aventura Library Branch
In our email updates, we've shared links to fascinating genealogy programs presented via Zoom by Jewish genealogical societies across the country. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, most societies have continued offering virtual presentations—an accessible way to hear from experts in the comfort of your home.
We recommend these valuable resources:
Conference Keeper (conferencekeeper.org) – A comprehensive calendar of genealogy events
L’DOR V’DOR (ldvdf.org) – Dedicated to Jewish family history and heritage research
Be sure to check out the News Nosh section (ldvdf.org/newsnosh), edited by Phil Goldfarb, President of the Jewish Genealogical Society of Tulsa, Oklahoma. We encourage you to sign up for free weekly email delivery of News Nosh to stay updated on the latest in Jewish genealogy.
Upcoming Events
Sunday, July 27, 2025 @ 1:00 PM (CDT) “The Wandering Jew” and “The Rise and Fall of the Jewish Shtetl” Presented by Dick Goldman Location: Temple Beth-El, 3610 Dundee Road, Northbrook, IL You can register for this event by going to the web site of the Jewish Genealogical Society of Illinois (https://jgsi.org)
August 2025 Events – JGSGM at Temple Beth Am
Sunday, August 3 @ 10:30 AM Discover the Meaning of Tisha B’Av With Michael Milgrom Presented in collaboration with Sunday Salon at Temple Beth Am Library
Thursdays, August 7, 14, 21, 28 @ 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM Immigration and Assimilation Discussion Groups: Discover Your Family Heritage Four-part series led by JGSGM Location: Temple Beth Am
Membership Benefits
One of the benefits of JGSGM membership is access to private genealogy mentoring sessions at the Northeast Aventura Library Branch. To schedule an appointment, please contact me directly at jgsgm.president@gmail.com.
We appreciate your continued support and look forward to seeing you at our upcoming events!
With warm regards, Paulette Bronstein President Jewish Genealogical Society of Greater Miami
I'm pleased to share two outstanding genealogy calendar websites that will help you stay informed and take part in engaging programs happening locally, nationally, and worldwide.
1. ConferenceKeeper
Website:https://conferencekeeper.org If you enjoy educational events related to genealogy, ConferenceKeeper is an essential (and free) resource. It offers:
A searchable calendar with thousands of genealogy events
Filters by topic, location, format (virtual or in-person), and cost
A helpful FAQ page to guide you through using the site
Some events are free; others may have a small participation fee. It’s a great way to explore new topics and connect with the broader genealogy community.
2. L’DOR V’DOR Foundation
Website:https://ldvdf.org Focused on Jewish genealogy, this site provides:
Research guidance and project resources
JCAT Project and JDAYS: Jewish genealogy events around the world
The Weekly News Nosh: A monthly newsletter curated by Phil Goldfarb, President of the Jewish Genealogical Society of Tulsa
Inspiring stories of discovery and a list of partners
As mentioned in past messages, virtual presentations hosted by genealogy societies worldwide offer invaluable learning opportunities. Many feature internationally respected experts—and thanks to Zoom, you can join from anywhere!
Upcoming JGSGM Events
1. Sunday, June 8 at 10:30 AM
Temple Beth Am Library 5950 Kendall Drive, Pinecrest, FL Topic:Celebrating Shavuot – Ancient Traditions Meet Modern Times Speaker: Michael Milgrom (JGSGM) RSVP:jgsgmvpprogramming@gmail.com
2. Thursday, June 26 from 1:00–2:30 PM
Northeast Aventura Library Branch 2930 Aventura Blvd., Aventura, FL Topic:Who Are You and Who Are Your Ancestors? JGSGM members will share family history stories and explore methodologies for genealogical discovery.
Individual Mentoring Sessions – June & July
Interested in beginning your family genealogy journey? I am now scheduling individual mentoring sessions at the Aventura Library during June and July. Please email me at jgsgm.president@gmail.com to arrange a time.
Thank you for your continued interest and support. I encourage you to explore these excellent resources and join us at our upcoming programs.
Warm regards, Paulette Bronstein President Jewish Genealogical Society of Greater Miami (JGSGM) jgsgm.president@gmail.com
HOW I CREATED A
FAMILY TREE AND FAMILY HISTORY BOOK
YOU TOO CAN
SHARE YOUR STORY WITH YOUR FAMILY
OAKMONTE
RESIDENCE
FEBRUARY 25,
2025
1:30 P.M.
David will
share and explain his genealogical methodology researching his family history.
Without previous genealogy training or experience David was able to uncover
family stories, create an extensive family tree, discover the history of his
ancestral town, and translate a treasure trove of Yiddish letters sent by his
great-great-grandfather.
Oakmonte Village of Davie
7201 Stirling Road
Davie, FL 33328
Guests are welcome.
Contact jgsgm.president@gmail.com for more information.