Center for Jewish History to Welcome Families to Ackman and Ziff Family Genealogy Institute

The Center for Jewish History invites family historians of all backgrounds to explore their roots at the landmark Ackman and Ziff Family Genealogy Institute.

Participants can learn how to begin family history research with the guidance of expert genealogists, delve into federal records and safely store family photos, documents and digital files. The series will provide an entry point for the institute's new website genealogy.cjh.org and membership program, which includes a personal reference consultation, DNA kits and customized workshops (additional details at membership.cjh.org).

On Monday, May 23, toward the end of the series, the Center will showcase remarkable discoveries made by Karen Franklin, Leo Baeck Institute's Director of Family Research.

2016 Schedule of Events

Sunday, May 15

1:00 p.m.

Jewish Genealogical Society Monthly Meeting: Focus on Family History at the Leo Baeck Institute

Presented by the Ackman & Ziff Family Genealogy Institute at Center for Jewish History, Leo Baeck Institute and Jewish Genealogical Society of New York

Tour

Join Leo Baeck Institute archivists as they show selected collections of interest to family historians from the archival collections.

Tickets: Free; No Reservations Required

Link: http://www.cjh.org/event/2871

Sunday, May 15

2:00 p.m.

Jewish Genealogical Society Monthly Meeting: Leo Baeck Institute Family History Success Stories

Presented by the Ackman & Ziff Family Genealogy Institute at Center for Jewish History, Leo Baeck Institute and Jewish Genealogical Society of New York

Lecture

Karen Franklin, LBI's Director of Family Research, Michael Simonson, LBI archivist, and Moriah Amit, The Ackman & Ziff Family Genealogy Institute's Senior Reference Services Librarian, share case studies using a variety of resources from the Leo Baeck Institute collections and beyond. Strategies may be helpful to family historians at all levels of experience and with varying geographic interests.

Tickets: Free; No Reservations Required

Link: http://www.cjh.org/event/2852

Monday, May 16

6:30 p.m.

Family History Treasures at the National Archives

Presented by the Ackman & Ziff Family Genealogy Institute at Center for Jewish History

Lecture

Christopher Zarr, Education Specialist for the National Archives at New York City, elucidates how to do basic genealogical research using Federal records at the National Archives, including census, immigration, and military service and pension records.

Tickets: Free; Reservations Required

Link: http://www.cjh.org/event/2872

Thursday, May 19

6:30 p.m.

Sephardic Dynasties: Irish Crypto Rabbis with a Converso Twist

Presented by the Ackman & Ziff Family Genealogy Institute at Center for Jewish History and American Sephardi Federation

Lecture

Sarina Roffé, founder of the Sephardic Heritage Project and an expert on Brooklyn's Sephardic Jewish community, traces the journey of the Kassins, a rabbinic dynasty with rumored Converso heritage, from Spain to modern Brooklyn using traditional genealogy methodology as well as DNA testing. Roffé also explores the claims that some descendants are rabbis who serve a secret Jewish community in Ireland. The last descendant of the Kassins is currently serving as Chief Rabbi of Brooklyn's Sephardic community.

Tickets: Free; Reservations Required

Link: http://www.cjh.org/event/2873

Monday, May 23

6:30 p.m.

A Family Historian Uncovers Mysteries of 19th Century German-Jewish Immigrant Families

Presented by the Ackman & Ziff Family Genealogy Institute at Center for Jewish History, Leo Baeck Institute, American Jewish Historical Society

Lecture

Karen Franklin, Leo Baeck Institute's Director of Family Research, chair of the Memorial Museums Committee of the International Council of Museums (ICOM) and Vice President of the Obermayer German Jewish History Awards, reveals the surprising discoveries she made while doing family history research. Two 19th Century immigrant German and Czech Jewish families are at the center of previously unknown connections. Links between members of a Central Synagogue committee and a refugee - sponsor - relationship are explored. Allan Amanik, assistant professor of Judaic Studies at Brooklyn College and former Center for Jewish History Dr. Sophie Bookhalter Fellow in Jewish Culture, will offer commentary on the historical context of these stories.

Tickets: Free; Reservations Required

Link: http://www.cjh.org/event/2874

Tuesday, May 24

6:30 p.m.

Be your own Family History Archivist!

Presented by the Ackman & Ziff Family Genealogy Institute at Center for Jewish History,

Workshop

How can you preserve irreplaceable artifacts from your own family history? Our highly trained archivists and librarians will answer your questions about organizing and safely storing your family photos, documents, books, audio/video recordings, and digital files. Participants are welcome to bring one artifact for expert analysis and advice on preservation.

Tickets: Free; Reservations Required

Link: http://www.cjh.org/event/2875

The Center for Jewish History is located at 15 West 16th Street in Manhattan.

About the Center for Jewish History
The Center for Jewish History in New York City illuminates history, culture, and heritage. The Center provides a collaborative home for five partner organizations: American Jewish Historical Society, American Sephardi Federation, Leo Baeck Institute, Yeshiva University Museum, and YIVO Institute for Jewish Research.

The partners' archives comprise the world's largest and most comprehensive archive of the modern Jewish experience outside of Israel. The collections span 1,000 years, with more than 5 miles of archival documents (in dozens of languages and alphabet systems), more than 500,000 volumes, as well as thousands of artworks, textiles, ritual objects, recordings, films, and photographs.

The Center's experts are leaders in unlocking archival material for a wide audience through the latest practices in digitization, library science, and public education. As one of the world's foremost research institutions, the Center offers fellowships, a wide array of exhibitions, symposia, conferences and lectures. The Center is a Smithsonian Affiliate, and is a partner of the Google Cultural Institute.