At the 2009 IAJGS International Conference on Jewish Genealogy Awards Banquet on Thursday evening, August 6, 2009, our founding President, Harry Boonin was the recipient of two honors -- both well deserved.

 

The International Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies bestowed their 2009 award for Outstanding Contribution to Jewish Genealogy via the Internet, Print, or Electronic Product.

 

The award was for authoring two books pertaining to the history of the Philadelphia Jewish Community:

 

The Jewish Quarter of Philadelphia: A History and Guide 1881-1930 (1999)

 

The Life and Times of Congregation Kesher Israel (2007)

 

 

The Jewish Genealogical Society of Greater Philadelphia honored Harry with a special award for "lifetime" dedication to the Society and its objectives.

 

In presenting the award, David Mink, Conference Co-Chair, honored Harry for his foresight in being a founding member and President of the Society, for his wisdom in recreating the story of our ancestors early years in America and Philadelphia, and for his enthusiasm which is an inspiration to all of us.

 

David presented to Harry an original oil painting of the interior of the "The Little Shul" by Philadelphia artist Ed Bronstein.

 

"The Little Shul" - Congregation Shivtei Yeshuron Ezras Israel - is located at 2015 South 4th Street, Philadelphia. It is a small synagogue in South Philly, which was founded in 1876. The congregation moved into its current building in 1909, and has continued to hold services on a regular basis. This Orthodox Shul is the last remains of a large Jewish population that Harry writes about in his books. Harry has prayed here and is a supporter of its restoration on it 100th anniversary. See an article about the Shul here.  

 

The artist, Ed Bronstein (see his website), donated his painting as a fundraiser for The Little Shul. JGSGP purchased this painting to support the restoration of the Shul, a cause Harry cares deeply about.

 

David Mink announces the award	David presents the painting to Harry
Harry and Ruth Boonin before the Banquet

The IAJGS bestowed three other awards at the Conference Banquet:

 

Outstanding Programming or Project that Advances the Objectives of Jewish Genealogy to the Jewish Genealogical Society of Greater Boston for its genealogy course. Accepted by JGSGB President, Heidi Urich.

 

Outstanding Publication by a Member Organization of IAJGS to Jewish Genealogical Society, Inc. (New York City) for its Dorot quarterly journal, which has been published for 30 years. Joy Rich is the current editor. Accepted by JGSNY President, Linda Cantor.

 

Lifetime Achievement Award to Joyce Field for her efforts on behalf of JewishGen's Jewish Online Worldwide Burial Registry, Holocaust Database, Yizkor Book Database, and as JewishGen Vice President of content acquisition for many years.