Achievement Awards
The IAJGS Achievement Awards are given to individuals or organizations who have made or are making outstanding contributions to Jewish genealogy. The awards are announced at the annual IAJGS International Conference on Jewish Genealogy. Previous winners:

1998	1999	2000	2001
2002	2003	2004	2005
2006	2007	2008	2009
2010	2011	2012

The International Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies (IAJGS) is pleased to invite nominations for the Achievement Awards to be presented at the upcoming annual International Conference. Start now to look for people and projects to nominate.

Nominations should be made using the one-step form at Steve Morse's website.

Annual call for nominations
Deadline: April 17, Annually

Only one award will be made to a single individual.
Nominations for the Lifetime Achievement Award must name the specific nominee and should include:
  • Biographical information on the nominee
  • An outline of the contributions of the nominee, including examples

  • A discussion of the significance of the contributions of the nominee

  • Any other information that would be germane to the selection process.
Supporting letters of testimony from other parties will be beneficial to the Committee's considerations. Copies should be sent to each of the five committee members. Nominations should be made using the one-step form at on Steve Morse's website.

2.  Outstanding Contribution to Jewish Genealogy via the Internet, Print or Electronic Product
This award is presented to a person, persons or organization in recognition of a contribution via Internet (e.g. an Internet project), Print (e.g. a book, periodical or other publication), or Electronic Product (e.g. CD-ROM or software program). 

Applications for each category will be accepted for any particular organization, but only one award will be made in this category to a single entity. Nominations should include 5 copies of hard materials (CD's or publications) or a reference to the URL for Internet projects. If providing 5 hardcopies is a significant hardship, please contact the committee chairperson to determine if an alternative is feasible. Submissions and supporting documentation will not be returned and remain the property of the IAJGS. Nominations should also include a summary by the nominating group of the reasons for the nomination and the nature of the effort being recognized. Nominees will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
  • Number of members/researchers benefiting and or participating
  • Scope and variety of genealogical knowledge promoted by the nominee
  • Quality and usefulness of content
  • Quality of presentation, use of the medium of presentation, graphic design, etc.
Nominations should be made using the one-step form at on Steve Morse's website.

3.  Outstanding Programming or Project that Advances the Objectives of Jewish Genealogy
This award may be made to a person, persons or organization either in recognition of a single program or series of programs, or in recognition of a single project or series of projects. 

Nominations should include a summary by the nominating group of the reasons for the nomination and the nature of the project being recognized. A history of the Program or Project should be provided, including a discussion of all persons or organizations who have contributed to the Program or Project and the nature of their role and/or contribution. Nominees will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
• Number of members/researchers benefiting and or participating
• Scope and variety of genealogical knowledge promoted by the nominee
• Quality and usefulness of the content
• Extent of publicity used to promote the programming or project
• Effectiveness and quality of methodology/medium used to make information available to participants, i.e. actual presentation to a live audience, audio or videotape, website, printed presentations, CD, etc. Samples should be provided for evaluation (5 copies).
Nominations should include specific information on the success of the program or project in meetings its objectives. Nominations should be made using the one-step form at on Steve Morse's website.

4.  Outstanding Publication by a Member Organization of IAJGS
This award may be made to a member organization, recognizing an outstanding publication or series, which has been made available to Jewish genealogists, which furthers their research. This publication may be distributed in any manner, hard copy, email, posted on a website, etc.

Submissions should include sufficient issues or copies of the publication for all 5 members of the committee. If providing 5 hardcopies is a significant hardship, please contact the committee chairperson to determine if an alternative is feasible.
If the submission is for a series, please submit several different issues published in the recent past; if the submission is for a journal/newsletter, please submit several different issues published during the previous calendar year.
Please also submit a cover letter with your contact information asking the committee to consider the publication for the award. Names of the editors and others directly involved in the publications should be listed, although the award will be for the publication and will list only the names of the sponsoring organization (editor names will be noted in the presentation of the award). Nominees will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
• Material interest, variety and originality
• Content value to advancing the cause of Jewish genealogy
• Writing and editing quality
• Readability, attractiveness and graphic design quality
• Overall publication impact.
Submission of copies and a cover letter is all that is required for consideration. Nominations should be made using the one-step form at on Steve Morse's website.
Please contact the Achievement Awards Committee Chair to obtain mailing addresses of committee members.