As you have all gathered by now, we are devoting time to looking at
specific projects within the JewishGen program...not only to highlight the projects, but
more importantly to highlight the folks behind the scenes who have been doing yeoman's
work to bring these special features to you all.
Tonight, it's mailing lists, front and center and we start by
looking at the JewishGen Discussion Group which is usually the first step taken by most
people as they begin researching Jewish ancestral lines on the Internet. This discussion
group originally served the full range of needs.... beginners and all the way up to the
highly advanced genealogist putting people in contact on a worldwide basis.
Over the years, this forum has evolved into a group primarily for
beginners as we have been able to provide more focused mailing lists for specific topics
over the past two years.
We've been able to attract many dedicated people as moderators and
while some have moved on to accept greater responsibility within the JewishGen family we
want to honor all of them tonight.
But most importantly, you all know the quality of exchange,
the sharing and guidance that is imparted by so many of you day in and day out and we
can't begin to thank you all for your participation.
During the early days of JewishGen, during the Fidonet years,
(1986-1993) we developed one of the first robo-moderation systems. Unfortunately, we had
to abandon that slick system because there was a "four letter word" which showed
time and again in Jewish surnames and towns. I just wonder if anyone of you out there can
guess what this word is!!!
From 1993 to 1996 I single handedly moderated JewishGen with
occasional help from Warren Blatt. In 1996, I turned over the baton to Carol Skydell who,
not unlike her predecessor <grin>, almost single handedly moderated for months
and months.... As the discussion grew by leaps and bounds and the numbers of messages
increased, we sought and found additional volunteers...Chuck Weinstein, Mike Hilson,
Vivianne Ship, Susana Leistner Bloch, Suzanne Waxman, Dick Plotz with occasional
stints by Warren and Carol when no one else could take it.
Under Carol's tutelage, we formed a Review Committee of 20 or more
of your peers spanning all continents. It was their task to help us develop the current
guidelines under which we still operate.
During the last six months... as we began our re-organization
process, Susana Bloch, who made it known to us that she would be willing to be our
"spare part" and we took her up on it. She carried on almost single-handedly for
weeks on end. Dick Plotz has now assumed the role as manager of the moderators, and our
recent call for additional help resulted in at least 10 new people who are at various
stages of the moderation training process, and one, Maurine McLellan is already on board
as a full time moderator. We honor and thank them all for their past, present and future
contributions.
Added to the above, are the brand new (and already a year old) lists
that have sprung up to focus on specific areas of interest and are hosted by
JewishGen....so, in alpha order (how else can I be sure of leaving no one out (grin) the
list administrators, moderators, webmasters of all the special lists we are now
running ....
Belarus - Dave Fox, Elsebeth Paikin, Risa Heywood, Ed Rosenbaum
Bereza - Stuart Liss, Steve Morse, Diane Jacobs;
Bobruisk - Don Mopsick, Joe Walker
Ciechanow - Stan Zeidenberg
Courland - Paul Berkay, Martha Lev-Zion, Abraham Lenhoff
Galicia - Shelley Pollero, Bev Shulster
GerSig - Arthur Obermayer, Peter Strauss, Meg Power, John Lowens
H-SIG - Lou Schonfeld, Marc Polster
Keidan - Andy Cassel
LatAmSig - Rob Weisskirch, Carol Skydell
Latvia - Arlene Beare, Marion Werle, Mike Getz
Leibovitz - Marvin Lebow, Roni Leibowitz, Sue Schudson
Lviv - Errol Schneegurt
Nesvizh - Mike Meshenberg
Odessa - Art Blutstein
SAfrica - Dr. Saul Issroff, Mike Getz, Trevor Tucker
Sefard - Bernard Kouchel, Ed Rosenbaum
ShtetLinks -Chuck Weinstein, Rachel Unkefer, John Berman,
Volhynia - Iris Folkson
Yizkor - Martin Kessel, Joyce Field
Webpage - Mark Heckman
Last but not least, those dedicated and patient folks who man/woman
the help desks and respond to questions left in the Guest Book visits...
Guest Book - Steven Chall, C.J. Kingsley
FTJPhelp - Iris Folkson, Michael Tobias, Susan King
JGFFhelp - Iris Folkson, Michael Tobias, Warren Blatt, Susan King,
Carol Skydell, Alex Sharon, Ruth Grant, Ann Rothman
Support - Lori Miller, Phyllis Kramer, Carol Skydell TechSupport-
Iris Folkson, Susan King
We can honestly say we have a "cast of thousands" now...
evidenced by the number of certificates we have sent out thus far.. <grin> and the
grassroots effort we have begun keeps going and growing, not unlike a bunch of
"energizer bunnies". <widegrin>
If you are still reading.... this should be of interest... Just a
brief look at what is coming down the pike in the next few weeks. Discussion and research
groups for which application has already been made, and moderators are in various
stages of training are:
Baal Shem Tov - Molly Gordy
Bohemia-Moravia - Sharla Levine, Barry Spinak, Randol Schoenberg
Denmark SIG - Elsebeth Paikin
Ekaterinoslav - Jerry Touger
Gorodenka - Mark Heckman
Kiyev - Michael Jaron
Lodz - Shirley Flaum
Motol - Martin Kessel
Yiddish Theater & Vaudeville - Jonina Duker
Warszawa - Nicole Berline, Hadassah Lipsius
If there is a research group or mailing list which you would like to
coordinate, and already have a minimum of (or the potential of) 50 subscribers, please get
in touch with our Operations VP Carol Skydell at <cskydell@jewishgen.org> and help
make the process as painless as possible.
We would also be remiss if we did not mention the separate and
distinct organizations JewishGen hosts... specifically LitvakSIG, JRI-PL, Rom-SIG, the
Gombin Society and IAJGS and their volunteers who have provided invaluable services to
their respective organizations and from which all JewishGenners derive benefits.
http://www.jewishgen.org/databases/certvol.htm
You know, this growth, the interest and the enthusiasm is not unlike
a "double edge sword"... and for this we once again make a financial appeal,
since without your financial support none of these lists would be possible. Please folks,
if you have benefited in any way, if you have learned from the questions,
suggestions, research strategies discussed, please take that important step to show
your appreciation
for what all these people have worked so hard to accomplish on your
behalf. Thank them, honor them, and recognize them in the one important way that makes it
all possible...
