The Genealogical Society of Greater Miami hosted a special seminar at The Palace in Coral Gables featuring two outstanding presentations by professional genealogist Jen Hupf.
The program opened with Session One, “Hidden Treasure,” in which Jen guided attendees through strategies for uncovering meaningful records, overlooked resources, and unexpected clues that can dramatically expand family history research. Her examples and practical tips inspired participants to take a fresh look at their own genealogical challenges.
Following a delicious luncheon buffet, guests enjoyed Session Two, “Fool’s Gold: When the Treasure Map Is Wrong.” In this engaging talk, Jen explored common pitfalls, misleading family stories, inaccurate online trees, and the dangers of assuming facts not supported by documentation. She offered excellent guidance on how to evaluate evidence, verify sources, and keep research on the right path.
Members of the Jewish Genealogical Society of Greater Miami—including David Light, Sandi Frankel, Yoram Millman, and President Paulette Bronstein—greatly enjoyed the day and appreciated the opportunity to learn from such an experienced professional. As an added delight, Paulette Bronstein won a one-year World Explorer Ancestry subscription.
The event was informative, beautifully organized, and a wonderful celebration of genealogical learning and community.
Members of the Jewish Genealogical Society of Greater Miami participated in the Genealogy Fair organized by the Genealogical Society of Broward County (GSBC). It was GSBC’s first inaugural celebration of family history, heritage, and community connections, bringing together organizations and researchers from across South Florida.
You can view the series by clicking on this link:
The JewishGen.org Discussion Group is an invaluable resource for genealogists seeking to connect with researchers around the world. This active online community provides a forum for sharing discoveries, asking questions, and collaborating on Jewish family history research.
Once there, you can:
Subscribe to receive daily or individual email updates.
Post questions or share your expertise with fellow genealogists.
Search the archives for past discussions related to your ancestral towns, surnames, or research challenges.
The JewishGen Discussion Group is one of the best ways to connect with researchers who may share your family names, ancestral villages, or genealogical interests.
The challenge for many family history detectives is sharing discoveries with family members who find the topic of genealogy boring. I love the suggestions provided by genealogist Marc McDermott.
Here is one example of how to share your family history discoveries:
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.
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.
🔗 Website: Jewish Galicia and Bukovina Organization (JGB)
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.
🔗 Website: Research Project on Bukovinian and Galician Jewry
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "hal.bookbinder@ucla.edu
Dear Members and Friends,
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:
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
You can find full program details on our website: www.jgs-miami.org
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.
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)
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
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
Subject: Stay Connected: Genealogy Resources & Upcoming JGSGM Events
Dear Members and Friends,
I hope this message finds you well.
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. ConferenceKeeperWebsite: 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 FoundationWebsite: 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
Read the June 1, 2025 issue of The Weekly News Nosh here:
https://ldvdf.org/newsnosh
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 EventsTemple Beth Am Library
5950 Kendall Drive, Pinecrest, FL
Topic: Celebrating Shavuot – Ancient Traditions Meet Modern Times
Speaker: Michael Milgrom (JGSGM)
RSVP: jgsgmvpprogramming@gmail.com
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 & JulyInterested 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
PRESENTS
DAVID LIGHT
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.
Discover Your Jewish Genealogical Roots
