“The Changing Borders of Eastern Europe”

Jewish Genealogical Society of Greater Orlando Program

ORLANDO, FL, May 6, 2013 — Join the Jewish Genealogical Society of Greater Orlando (JGSGO) for a program featuring world renowned expert, Hal Bookbinder, “The Changing Borders of Eastern Europe”.

Few Jews lived in Eastern Europe 1,000 years ago. Yet, it was to become the home of 80% of the world’s Jews. As Russia expanded westward, more and more Jews came within the Russian Empire. This talk examines Russia’s efforts to limit the Jews in its midst and the Eastern European borders changes which frequently resulted in ancestral towns coming under the rule of several countries over time. Recognizing which governments were in control at various times can help in understanding the environment in which ancestors lived, events that stimulated migration, languages in which records were kept and likely locations where these records might be found.

Hal Bookbinder has served as president of the JGS Los Angeles (JGSLA) and the International Association of JGS’s (IAJGS) as well as a founding member of the JGS of the Conejo Valley and Ventura County (JGSCV).  He currently serves on the JewishGen Board of Governors, chairing its Strategic Planning Committee. He has chaired or served in a leadership role for eight IAJGS conferences, is advisor to the 2013 Conference in Boston and is co-chairing the 2014 conference in Salt Lake City. Hal has published numerous articles on research techniques, Jewish history, border changes and safe computing and has lectured at most recent annual conferences. In 2010, he was honored with the IAJGS Lifetime Achievement Award.

Hal has identified over 3,500 relatives in eight lines, taking two of these back into the mid-18th century. His family roots are primarily from the area currently within the Ukraine and adjacent areas of Moldova, Belarus, Russia and Poland.

Hal’s lecture on “The Changing Borders of Eastern Europe” is fundamental to those researching their Jewish Eastern European family history.

DATE: Sunday, May 19, 2013

TIME: 1:00 P.M. – 3:00 P.M.

LOCATION: Southwest Orlando Jewish Congregation, Social Hall, 11200 South Apopka Vineland Road, Orlando, FL 32836.

ADMISSION: Open to the public. $5.00 for non-members. Free for members.

About the Jewish Genealogical Society of Greater Orlando

The Jewish Genealogical Society of Greater Orlando (JGSGO) is a not for profit organization dedicated to sharing genealogical information, techniques and research tools with anyone interested in Jewish genealogy and family history. Anyone may join JGSGO. Annual dues are $25 for an individual and $30 for a family. For more information visit our blog at www.jgsgo.blogspot.com and “like” us at www.facebook.com/jgsgreaterorlando .