Get to Know Your Local Historical Societies

 

We’re continuing our series to highlight the unique societies and resources in our area.  With Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur both in September this year, this month we’re looking a little beyond Medina County to the Jewish Genealogy Society of Cleveland (JGSC).  The JGSC vice president of programming, Deborah Katz, kindly answered our questions about the society. 

If you are researching Jewish ancestry or are interested in Cleveland History, read on to learn more about the resources JGSC offers to non-members and members!

 

MCDL Librarian: Tell us a little bit about yourself...  How long have you worked with the Jewish Genealogy Society of Cleveland?  What sparked your interest in family history?

JGSC Deborah Katz: I moved to Medina about 5 years ago after 30 years in Columbus in law school and a career as a professor and consultant in sports law and college athletics compliance.  Health issues pushed me into disability and early retirement.  Looking for quieter and sedentary activities, I was able to refocus on genealogy.

I joined the Jewish Genealogy Society of Cleveland (JGSC) in 2019.  Cleveland was my hometown (proud 1980 graduate of Hawken) and the destination of the original Katz relatives immigrating from Podzelva, Lithuania in the 1880’s.  The International Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies (IAJGS) annual conference was held in Cleveland that year which made it the ideal time and place for a family reunion.  Within a 6-month period, a small, afternoon family gathering became a 3-day event with 200+ Katz relatives from 15 states.  My 2020 presentation to JGSC, “Reflections on the 2019 Katz Family Reunion: Lessons Learned or the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly!,” was well-received, and the Board asked me to serve as the vice president for programming in 2021.

My genealogy journey began about 30 years ago with the discovery of how little I knew about my family and a strong curiosity.  When my paternal grandmother passed away, I discovered the “Red Book,” the printed family tree curated by Ruth Katz and developed from the original log of the family of Aron Katz in Cleveland in 1905.  Ruth became a treasured genealogy mentor, and the rest is history.  The understanding of my family roots, connections to family near and far, medical history discoveries, meeting new friends, and the history and skills learned through genealogy research continue to engage me.

 

MCDL Librarian: I read that the JGS Cleveland has a research library.  What resources does it include and who can make use of the collection? 

JGSC Deborah Katz: The Society maintains its own research library and encourages the collection of genealogical material and family histories. The research library, open to any researcher, is housed in the Sam and Emma Miller Library of the Arthur J. Lelyveld Center for Jewish Learning at Anshe Chesed Fairmount Temple, located at 23737 Fairmount Blvd in Beachwood, Ohio.  Most of our collection is now included in the Library Catalogue, which can be accessed by clicking here: http://temple.acftlibrary.org.  Currently due to COVID, the Library is open by calling (216) 464-1330 to make an appointment.

 

MCDL Librarian: If an individual needs help with research -- or if they live too far away to visit the research library -- how can they get assistance from the society?

JGSC Deborah Katz: There are several ways the JGSC can provide assistance.

1. http://jgscleveland.org:  Our website is a user-friendly, public genealogy resource with JGSC databases as well as Cleveland, Cuyahoga, and Ohio research tools.
2. JGSC Programming:  We offer a monthly educational program featuring local and national award-winning speakers on topics related to genealogy skills and tools, Jewish and broader history, DNA, and member accomplishments.  They are currently open to the public at no charge (except the November program) and available on Zoom.  The 2021 schedule with registration information is available at http://jgscleveland.org/future.asp.
3. Membership Benefits:  a) membership directory to foster communication amongst members and support shared research goals; b) The Kol, a triannual newsletter with meeting summaries, program/conference/organization announcements, and helpful tips and resources; and c) Members' only section of website:  password-protected site with online access to JGSC program PowerPoints and handouts, past newsletters, “Research Tips of the Month,” additional resources, programs, and events designated for members.
4. Research Requests:  Read more about the support our experts offer researchers trying to locate their Cleveland roots at http://jgscleveland.org/requests.asp.

 

MCDL Librarian: Tell us about your upcoming programs?  Where/when does the society meet?  Do people have to be members to attend?

JGSC Deborah Katz: Our programs are currently on Zoom, and we anticipate that will continue through the winter of 2022.  Pre-COVID, we met in two different locations in Beachwood, OH, and are reviewing our options for when we return to in-person meetings.  Our programs are open to the public, and currently, there is no charge for non-members except our annual November program presented in partnership with the Case Western Reserve University Laura and Alvin Siegal Lifelong Learning Program.  The October 6th program, “The What and When of U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Records,” will be presented by Marian Smith, a former historian for the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) and later US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).  Steve Morse, creator of the One-Step Website will present the 2-part November 14^th program, “One-Step Webpages:  A Potpourri of Genealogical Search Tools” and “A Complete Genealogy Starting from Nothing.”  Data scientist, Scott Genzer, will join us on December 1^st to present, “Using Facial Recognition Tools to Identify Unnamed Ancestors for Genealogical Research.”  Check http://jgscleveland.org  for registration details.

 

MCDL Librarian: How can an individual join the society?  What benefits do society members receive?  

JGSC Deborah Katz: We offer different levels of membership with multiple benefits.  Go to http://jgscleveland.org/join.asp for more information.

 

MCDL Librarian: Is there anything else you'd like everyone to know about the JGS Cleveland at this time?

JGSC Deborah Katz: Our membership is diverse including Jews and non-Jews.  Some members have Jewish relatives, an interest in Cleveland history, an interest in eastern European history, or a general genealogy skills and tools.  We invite you to join us at a program or use our resources.  A basic research tool for Cleveland Jewish genealogy is the Cleveland Jewish News Archive at http://digital.olivesoftware.com/Olive/APA/ClevelandJewishNewsFree/default.aspx#panel=home.  It includes more than 130 years of Jewish history in Cleveland as reported by the CJN and its predecessor newspapers.  If you have any additional questions, please feel free to contact me at programming@jgscleveland.org.