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16 Jul 2025 7:00 PMFrom the convenience of your home device
| Jewish Genealogical Society of Illinois |
Welcome!
Exploring Jewish family history is about more than research—it’s about connection. The Jewish Genealogical Society of Illinois (JGSI) has been helping people uncover, understand, and preserve their Jewish roots, with a focus on Chicago-area ancestry, since 1981. Our membership of over 340 people from more than 28 states includes both newcomers and experienced genealogists, supported by our affiliation with the International Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies. JGSI offers engaging programs, informative speakers, personalized guidance, and valuable resources to make your family’s story come to life. Whether you join us for monthly live presentations or become a member to access our archives, past events, and exclusive meetings, JGSI has something for every family history enthusiast.
Two talks on history of Eastern European Jews set for July 27, 2025, JGSI hybrid meeting
“The Wandering Jew" and “The Rise and Fall of the Jewish Shtetl” are the titles of two Jewish history lectures by Dick Goldman scheduled for the Sunday, July 27, 2025, Jewish Genealogical Society of Illinois hybrid meeting. Dick Goldman, a former vice president of the International Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies, will be speaking in person at Temple Beth-El, 3610 Dundee Road, Northbrook, Illinois, and online via Zoom. Temple Beth-El will open at 12:30 p.m. CDT for sign-in and socializing before the lectures begin at 1 p.m. CDT.
More details and registration information are on the Events page.
JGSI hybrid meetings feature easy access to useful research library and genealogy help desk
The JGSI meeting facilities at Temple Beth-El in Northbrook, Illinois, open at 12:30 p.m. before most monthly hybrid meetings. This allows individuals to utilize genealogy library materials, seek assistance with genealogy websites, or pose genealogical questions before the main program commences at 2 p.m.
During nearly every in-person JGSI monthly meeting, our "help desk" operates from 12:30 to 1:50 p.m. Member volunteers will access online databases and address genealogical questions one-on-one for both members and visitors, as time permits. The JGSI research library boasts over 600 volumes catering to Jewish family historians, including a diverse selection of historical and contemporary maps. All books and maps are available for perusal from 12:30 to 1:50 p.m. at each regular monthly meeting.
More details and registrations for JGSI events are on the Events page.
THE LATEST UPDATES |
Upcoming eventsMark your calendar now for our future events, which are listed on the Events page of this website. Also, the International Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies (IAJGS) has a worldwide searchable online calendar of Jewish genealogy events at Jewish Roots Events.
| NEWSResearch Updates JGSI has added over 8,000 names and 900 subject records to its databases in 2024. Updates include new obituary data, plaque references, meeting videos, and synagogue records. Notable additions: JUF Obituaries, Temple Beth El plaques, and Marks Nathan Orphan Home Alumni Directory. Find everything in Research. The Chicago Jewish Post and Opinion newspaper (August 1962-December 1981) is now available as part of the Illinois Digital Newspaper Collections thanks to the University of Illinois and a bequest to the Jewish Genealogical Society of Illinois from the estate of Peggy Morrow, z''l. Search at | Brides of WaldheimSee all the Brides of Waldheim as mentioned in the Summer Morasha click here.
MYSTERY PHOTOSMystery Photos... If you would like to help us identify these people, please click here.
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