Jewish Genealogy Society of Southern Alberta

PRESIDENT’S PROLOGUE

Possible new projects explored 

The first issue of Shorashim (July, 2000) was received with accolades when it was distributed to the JG Societies assembled in Salt Lake City for the 20^th International Conference. It looked great and “read” even greater, thanks to those enthusiastic members who contributed, and to Claude and David Romney (our co-editors), and Jack Switzer who did such an excellent job on the layout. We managed to give you an update on three years’ worth of activities! This message will be shorter.

Our Summer Interlude on August 13, 2000 was once again hosted by Eleanor and Labie Doctor. Despite holidays and threatening weather, 27 cheerful people attended a lively BBQ evening.  Our Conference 2000 attendees described the events that took place in SLC. New developments in genealogy, and possible new projects for our Society were explored before their reintroduction at our opening meeting on September 18^th.

A very warm welcome to new members Miriam Sanders, Sid Tolchinsky, Janet Wees, and Dave Zukerman who joined our JGS family in September. We’re glad to have them in our midst.

Deana Fishman chaired our October 23^rd meeting while I was away visiting my children, and meeting the “new” family I’d found in the course of my genealogical researches. (For members looking for relatives from Russia and the Ukraine, check out Germany and Israel where many have settled since the lifting of the Iron Curtain.)

On November 20^th, Rabbi Noteh Glogauer, Principal of the Akiva Academy, gave our members a special treat with his fascinating presentation on Jewish Naming Customs over the centuries.

It was particularly interesting to learn how gematria is used in demonstrating that “in Judaism, nothing is a coincidence; there are no accidents.”

We saw out our programs for the much-anticipated year 2000 on December 18^th with a Dairy Potluck Chanukah “Qvell & Tell” Party held in the home of Shauna and Jack Switzer. We’ll be seeing in 2001 at a hands-on research evening using the LDS Family History Library facilities on January 15^th. Microfilm with a Jewish focus will be ordered for this event which is popular with all of our members. It will be followed in March with a Beginner’s Workshop (computer instruction as well, with computers available for everyone).

And finally, we are pleased to announce that the JGS/SA has a new Web site, which also includes the Calgary Jewish Cemetery Database. Our site is located at http://www.jewishgen.org/iajgs/jgssa. Mel Fishman has seen to it that our JGS/SA site is bigger, better, and faster than ever before. Please pay us a visit!

May I take this opportunity to wish all of you a very healthy and fruitful genealogical year in 2001!

L’chaim,

Florence Elman