State of the society 2025-26

The Jewish Genealogical Society of Illinois continued to provide programs, research resources, and opportunities for members to connect through Jewish genealogy. As of June 2026, JGSI has 338 active members. About 100 of those members live outside Illinois, showing that while our roots remain in the Chicago area, our reach is much broader.

This year, JGSI again offered both Sunday programs and members-only Zoom sessions. Online participation remained strong, and remote access continues to be important for members who live outside the Chicago area or cannot easily attend in person. At the same time, we would love to see more members attend Sunday meetings in person whenever possible. Presentations and research tips are valuable, but face-to-face conversations, informal questions, snacks, and socializing make the whole experience more enjoyable and engaging for everyone.

Our programs covered a wide range of themes, including Jewish migration, shtetl life, Chicago and Illinois Jewish history, Holocaust research, archival collections, DNA, research methods, online tools, member discoveries, and artificial intelligence. Several programs drew more than 100 registrations. Members-only sessions gave us additional opportunities for smaller discussions, focused questions, and more interactive learning.

Artificial intelligence became a recurring topic this year. We discussed how AI is affecting genealogy tools, how it can help with writing and research, how it compares with JGSI’s own curated resources, and why its results still need to be checked carefully. These sessions gave members a chance to compare experiences, ask questions, and think about how to use new tools wisely.

JGSI’s research databases continued to grow. As of April 2026, JGSI had more than 141,000 records in 89 collections of names and subjects. New collections include memorial plaques from seven congregations, including Danville, Illinois. Updates include more than 25,000 JUF obituaries, Marks Nathan Jewish Orphan Home records, and newsletters and videos from JGSI and the Chicago Jewish Historical Society.

Behind the scenes, JGSI continued the steady work needed to keep the society functioning. We maintained the website, membership system, eNews, Zoom programming, event registration, and member communications. Our video archive remains up to date, giving members access to recordings of most past programs. We also continued reviewing and downsizing the library collection at Temple Beth-El so that the remaining materials are more useful and manageable.

Morasha continues to be one of JGSI’s major member benefits, with articles, research stories, program recaps, and society news that help preserve and share the work of our members. We are always looking for additional articles, research stories, and ideas from members.

Many JGSI members attended the 2025 IAJGS International Conference on Jewish Genealogy in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Several members presented, and many others attended sessions, visited the Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center, and connected with researchers from around the country. Diane Grauer organized a JGSI dinner during the conference, which gave members a chance to gather informally, including members from outside the Chicago area.

Over the past year we also welcomed two new Directors at Large, Sandra Parker from downstate Illinois and Myra Schwartz Herrmann from southern California. Their addition reflects the broader membership and perspective JGSI now has, even as Chicago remains our home base.

JGSI remains strong, but like most volunteer organizations, we depend on members stepping forward. We can always use help with meeting technology, website work, greeting attendees, suggesting program ideas, writing articles for Morasha, and attending Sunday meetings in person when possible. Even small contributions help keep the society active, useful, and welcoming.

Thank you to everyone who participated, volunteered, presented, wrote, suggested ideas, attended programs, or helped behind the scenes this year. JGSI works because members care enough to take part.

Doug Bank, JGSI President