Welcome to the
Santa Cruz Jewish Genealogy Society
The SCJGS is a nonprofit organization which functions through the voluntary efforts of its members. Our purpose is to share and promote the preservation of genealogical information, techniques, and research tools with people interested in Jewish genealogy and family history.
CONGRATULATIONS!
The SCJGS is the recipient of the IAJGS 2023 Member of the Year Award. This Award recognizes outstanding efforts to create a society that is accessible to members around the world. SCJGS embraced technology during the height of the pandemic and was able to thrive. The breadth of programming, as well as personalized mentoring and additional resources, give their geographically diverse membership resources to help improve members’ research abilities, regardless of skill level.
Lectures and Events
We host monthly ZOOM lectures and presentations with excellent speakers and professional genealogists. The SCJGS is a place to gain information and skills and to meet others who are interested in Jewish family research.
Programs are free for members, and $5.00 for guests. Guests are always welcome to attend our presentations by registering for an individual event. View our upcoming program HERE.
Membership
Anyone interested in Jewish genealogy is welcome to become a member regardless of skill level or geographic location. We welcome all members of all geographic areas as well as all research levels.
The SCJGS is committed to building a strong research member community. We often host additional meetings focusing on member research progress, hands-on mentoring for beginners, community meetings focusing on individual brick wall assistance, video watching with discussions and strategies that worked, research tips presented by our experienced members.
To join SCJGS and learn more about membership benefits and how to become a member; please visit our Membership page HERE.
Member-Only Access
Mailing List
Join Our Mailing List HERE to receive events and educational announcements.
Newsletter
Shorashim, the SCJGS newsletter, is published electronically three times per year and is free to SCJGS members. Click here for information on how to join the SCJGS.
For questions or to submit ideas or articles, please email editor@scjgs.org.
Upcoming Events
December 17, 2023, 1pm Pacific Time Zone
Speaker: Lisa Alzo, Genealogist Specializing in Eastern Europe
Finding Immigration and Naturalization Records: Advanced Strategies and Techniques
Sunday, January 7, 2024, 1pm Pacific Time Zone
Speaker: Glenn Dynner, PhD, Jewish Studies Scholar
Ukraine: The Cradle of East European Jewish Civilization
Sunday, January 28, February 18, and March 17, 2024, 1pm Pacific Time Zone
Speaker: Rhoda Miller, ED, Certified Genealogist
Jewish Genealogy 101: Overview (1.5 hrs each) plus a group mentoring study session with an expert researcher. (limited seating)
Sunday, March 10, 1:00 pm Pacific
Speaker: Patrice Dabrowski, PhD, Harvard Professor and Historian
The East-Central European Jewish Homeland in Historical Perspective
