IAJGS Awards - 2005

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The International Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies bestowed four awards for 2005, recognizing outstanding individual and organizational contributions to Jewish Genealogy. These awards were presented by Hal Bookbinder for the 2005 awards committee chairman, Sylvia Furshman Nusinov, during the banquet held in conjunction with the 25th IAJGS International Conference on Jewish Genealogy in Las Vegas, Thursday 14 July 2005.

The Lifetime Achievement Award is presented to a living individual for a lifetime of outstanding contributions of major significance and benefit to Jewish genealogy. The 2005 IAJGS Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Susan King Recognizing her twenty years of pioneering vision and leadership in making resources freely available to the worldwide Jewish genealogical community. Through her tireless devotion many thousands of people who might never have explored their Jewish roots have successfully done so, benefiting from the continually expanding array of online resources offered by JewishGen. She has changed the face of Jewish genealogy with a clear and focused goal of preserving our history for future generations. The Outstanding Contribution Award is presented to a person, persons or organization in recognition of an exceptional contribution to Jewish genealogy via the Internet, print, or electronic product.   The 2005 IAJGS Outstanding Contribution to  Jewish Genealogy   was presented to Yad Vashem Recognizing the unique and exceptional resources that is  the Central Database of Shoah Victims' Names. This database provides convenient worldwide access to information on millions of victims of the Shoah and so preserves their eternal memory while facilitating the documentation of additional victims.  Its easily searchable repository of digitized Pages of Testimony is an invaluable resource to researchers linking them both to the victims of the Shoah and to long-lost family members. The award was accepted in behalf of Yad Vashem by Gary Mokotoff. The Outstanding Programming or Project Award is presented 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.   The 2005 IAJGS Outstanding  Project Award was presented the Jewish Genealogical Society of Los Angeles In recognition of a series of events and programs marking the society's 25th anniversary. In 2004, JGSLA celebrated its 25th anniversary in several ways: (1) Nancy Holden, editor of Roots-Key, created a special double issue to mark this milestone. The issue also included a nine-page centerfold spread of pre-1900 photographs of JGSLA ancestors. (2) David Hoffman composed a 25th Anniversary Memorial Program Booklet that generated donations to a Special Projects and Programs Fund. (3) Pamela Weisberger filmed and edited a video, "Genealogy Anyone?" which combined interviews with founding members and present members. The video was shown at our October 25th Anniversary meeting. (4) Miriam Weiner, JGSLA member and noted genealogist, was our featured speaker at the meeting. (5) They presented a special speaker in honor of our anniversary, at the Skirball Cultural Center. Program Vice President, Jan Allen, organized a speaking tour for Yale Reisner, from Warsaw to the U.S. and Canada, with the cooperation of five other Jewish Genealogical Societies. (6) Programs were co-sponsored with major Jewish institutions in Los Angeles, including the Skirball Cultural Center, the Museum of Tolerance, the Simon Wiesenthal Library and Archives, and the Jewish Community Library of Los Angeles. (7) The society participated in a very successful Yiddishkayt Festival at the Japanese Cultural Center in Los Angeles, and in special events at the Museum of the American West/Autry National Center, and the New Jewish Community Center at the Milken. The Outstanding Publication Award is presented to an IAJGS Member Organization in recognition of an outstanding journal, newsletter, or other publication that furthers Jewish genealogical research. The 2005 IAJGS Award for Outstanding Publication by an IAJGS member Society was presented to the Jewish Genealogical Society of Greater Philadelphia Recognizing the excellence of Chronicles, its quarterly journal. With over two-thirds of its content original and authored by members, it is truly a publication by members for members. Its editorial philosophy stresses variety, combining Jewish history, culture, family stories and research techniques. Effective editing and graphic design add to the overall impact that it has made in the genealogical community scores of people remain remote members primarily to receive this fine publication. The award was accepted by Mark Halpern, society president.