Past Boards

The Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies (AJGS) came into being at the 1988 Conference in Washington D.C. During its first year, the Board was somewhat informal. Gary Mokotoff recalls that Jon Stein acted as president, and that he was on the Board. He could not recall other Board members. Its first formal Board was established at the 1989 Conference in Philadelphia, and included four officers. Jon Stein was recognized as the first president, though this was honorary. The AJGS was incorporated in NJ on 31 August 1989. The Bylaws were changed June 1993 to include "up to" four at-large members. They were further changed July 1998 to allow for six at-large members. At that time, “International” was formally added to the name of the association.

At present, all board members are elected for two-year terms, officers in odd years and directors in even years. Should a vacancy occur, it is filled by an election within the board. To continue on the board, any such board member must stand for election at the immediate next annual meeting. Officers elected at an annual general meeting in even years and directors elected in odd years serve only a one-year term. Officers and directors elected at an annual meeting assume their positions at the conclusion of the meeting.

For names with asterisks, see the footnotes at the very bottom of the page.

2023 – 20242022 – 20232021 – 2022
PresidentJane BerenbeimJane BerenbeimJane Berenbeim

Vice President

Mel Fishman*/Susan WeinbergDick GoldmanDick Goldman
SecretaryRon Arons*/Emily GarberRon AronsRon Arons
TreasurerJoseph Tarshish

Douglas M. Cohen

Douglas M. Cohen

Past President

Marlis HumphreyMarlis HumphreyKen Bravo*
At-large(vacant)Mel FishmanMoriah Amit*
At-largeCrista CowanCrista CowanCrista Cowan
At-largeEmily GarberEmily GarberEmily Garber
At-largeEli RabinowitzEli RabinowitzEli Rabinowitz
At-largeJarrett RossJarrett RossJarrett Ross
At-largeSusan WeinbergSusan WeinbergSusan Weinberg


2020 – 20212019 – 20202018 – 20192017 – 2018
PresidentKen BravoKen BravoKen BravoKen Bravo
Vice PresidentJane BerenbeimJane BerenbeimJay SageJay Sage
SecretaryAvraham GrollAvraham GrollAvraham GrollAvraham Groll
Treasurer

Douglas M. Cohen

Douglas M. Cohen

Douglas M. Cohen

Douglas M. Cohen

Past PresidentMarlis HumphreyMarlis HumphreyMarlis HumphreyMarlis Humphrey
At-largeJarrett Ross(vacant)Jane BerenbeimJane Berenbeim
At-largeEli RabinowitzShipley MunsonShipley MunsonShipley Munson
At-largeCrista CowenCrista CowenCrista CowenQuinton Atkinson
At-largeEmily GarberSarina RofféSarina RofféDaniel Horowitz
At-largeLara Diamond*Janette SilvermanJanette SilvermanBinyamin Lewis
At-largeNolan Altman*Nolan AltmanNolan AltmanNolan Altman


2016 – 20172015 – 20162014 – 20152013 – 2014
PresidentMarlis HumphreyMarlis HumphreyMarlis HumphreyMarlis Humphrey
Vice PresidentKen BravoKen BravoKen BravoJan Meisels Allen*
SecretaryMark Nicholls*Mark NichollsMark NichollsMark Nicholls
TreasurerDouglas M. CohenDouglas M. CohenPaul SilverstonePaul Silverstone
Past PresidentMichael GoldsteinMichael GoldsteinMichael GoldsteinMichael Goldstein
At-largeJane Berenbeim(vacant)Debbie Long*Jackye Sullins
At-largeShipley MunsonShipley MunsonShipley MunsonKahlile Mehr*
At-largeQuinton AtkinsonQuinton AtkinsonQuinton Atkinson(vacant)
At-largeDaniel HorowitzDaniel HorowitzDaniel HorowitzDaniel Horowitz
At-largeBinyamin LewisGarri RegevGarri Regev(vacant)
At-largeNolan AltmanNolan AltmanNolan AltmanNolan Altman


2012 – 20132011 – 20122010 – 20112009 – 2010
PresidentMichael GoldsteinMichael GoldsteinMichael GoldsteinMichael Goldstein
Vice PresidentJan Meisels AllenJan Meisels AllenMichael BrennerMichael Brenner
SecretaryJoel SpectorJoel SpectorJoel SpectorJoel Spector
TreasurerPaul SilverstonePaul SilverstonePaul SilverstonePaul Silverstone
Past PresidentAnne Feder LeeAnne Feder LeeAnne Feder LeeAnne Feder Lee
At-largeJackye SullinsJackye SullinsJackye SullinsJackye Sullins
At-largeKahlile MehrKahlile MehrKahlile MehrKahlile Mehr
At-largeJay Sage*Jay SageJay SageBill Israel
At-largeDaniel HorowitzDaniel HorowitzDaniel HorowitzDaniel Horowitz
At-largeMark NichollsMark NichollsJan Meisels AllenJan Meisels Allen
At-largeNolan AltmanNolan AltmanNolan AltmanNolan Altman


2008 – 20092007 – 20082006 – 20072005 – 2006
PresidentAnne Feder LeeAnne Feder LeeAnne Feder LeeAnne Feder Lee
Vice PresidentMichael BrennerMichael BrennerMichael BrennerMichael Brenner
SecretaryJoel SpectorJoel SpectorJoel SpectorJoel Spector
TreasurerMichael PosnickMichael PosnickMichael PosnickMichael Posnick
Past PresidentHal BookbinderHal BookbinderHal BookbinderHal Bookbinder
At-largeJackye SullinsMarcia MeyersMarcia Meyers

Ellen Shindelman Kowitt

At-largeKahlile MehrFlorence Elman*Florence ElmanFlorence Elman
At-largeBill IsraelMartha Lev-Zion*Martha Lev-ZionMartha Lev-Zion
At-largeDaniel HorowitzDaniel SchlyterDaniel SchlyterDaniel Schlyter
At-largeJan Meisels AllenJan Meisels AllenJan Meisels AllenJan Meisels Allen
At-largePaul SilverstonePaul SilverstonePaul SilverstonePaul Silverstone


2004 – 20052003 – 20042002 – 20032001 – 2002
PresidentHal BookbinderHal BookbinderHal BookbinderHal Bookbinder
Vice PresidentMichael BrennerMichael BrennerAnne Feder LeeAnne Feder Lee
SecretaryJoel SpectorJoel SpectorJoel SpectorJoel Spector
TreasurerMichael PosnickMichael PosnickMichael PosnickMichael Posnick
Past PresidentHoward MargolHoward MargolHoward MargolHoward Margol
At-large

Ellen Shindelman Kowitt

Ellen Shindelman Kowitt

Michael BrennerMichael Brenner
At-largeFlorence ElmanAnthony JosephAnthony JosephAnthony Joseph
At-largeMartha Lev-ZionMartha Lev-ZionMartha Lev-ZionGarry Stein
At-largeDaniel SchlyterDaniel SchlyterDaniel SchlyterDaniel Schlyter
At-largeJan Meisels AllenJudith FrazinJudith FrazinJudith Frazin
At-largePaul SilverstoneArnold TolkenArnold TolkenArnold Tolken


2000 – 20011999 – 20001998 – 19991997 – 1998
PresidentHoward MargolHoward MargolKaren FranklinSallyann Sack*
Vice PresidentHal BookbinderHal BookbinderHal BookbinderKaren Franklin
SecretaryMichael PosnickArline Sachs*Saul IssroffSaul Issroff
TreasurerMarilyn NatchezMarilyn NatchezNancy BrantHal Bookbinder
Past PresidentKaren FranklinKaren FranklinBob Weiss*Bob Weiss
At-largeMichael BrennerDavid FielkerDavid FielkerHoward Margol
At-largeAnthony JosephBruce KahnBruce KahnBruce Kahn
At-largeGarry SteinGarry SteinHoward MargolHarold Tapper
At-largeDaniel SchlyterFred DavisArline SachsArline Sachs
At-largeAnne Feder LeeAnne Feder LeeAnne Feder Lee
At-largeArnold TolkenGladys PaulinRob Sieltiel*


1996 – 19971995 – 19961994 – 19951993 – 1994
PresidentBob WeissBob WeissGary MokotoffGary Mokotoff
Vice PresidentRolf LedererRolf LedererRolf LedererLaura Klein*
SecretarySteve SiegelSteve SiegelBernard KouchelRolf Lederer
TreasurerHal BookbinderHal BookbinderFreya MaslovFreya Maslov
Past PresidentGary MokotoffGary MokotoffJon SteinJon Stein
At-largeHoward MargolNancy ArbieterHal BookbinderHal Bookbinder
At-largeLinda CantorLinda CantorScott MeyerScott Meyer
At-largeScott MeyerScott MeyerJonathan SmithJonathan Smith
At-largeArline SachsArline SachsRenee SteinigRenee Steinig


1992 – 19931991 – 19921990 – 19911989 – 1990
PresidentGary MokotoffGary MokotoffGary MokotoffGary Mokotoff
Vice PresidentLaura KleinLaura KleinSuzan WynneSuzan Wynne
SecretaryRolf LedererRolf LedererLaura KleinLaura Klein
TreasurerFreya MaslovFreya MaslovFreya MaslovFreya Maslov
Past PresidentJon SteinJon SteinJon SteinJon Stein

* Board members who did not complete terms to which they were elected:

  • Mel Fishman resigned in November 2023 and Susan Weinberg was appointed vice president; Ron Arons died in January 2024 and Emily Garber was appointed secretary.
  • Ken Bravo resigned and Marlis Humphrey became the past-president.
  • Amit Moriah resigned and Mel Fishman was appointed.
  • Lara Diamond and Nolan Altman resigned in early 2021; Susan Weinberg and Moriah Amit were appointed.
  • Jane Berenbeim was elected vice president in August 2019; her director position was left vacant.
  • Mark Nicholls resigned in October 2016; Avraham Groll was appointed.
  • Debbie Long resigned in July 2015.
  • Kahlile Mehr resigned in April 2014; Garri Regev was appointed.
  • Jan Meisels Allen resigned in November 2013; Nolan Altman was appointed.
  • Jay Sage resigned in August 2013; Quinton Atkinson was appointed.
  • Paul Silverstone was elected treasurer in August 2009; Nolan Altman was appointed as Director.
  • Florence Elman resigned in November 2007.
  • Martha Lev-Zion resigned in September 2007; Bill Israel was appointed.
  • Arline Sachs resigned in July 2000.
  • Rob Sieltiel resigned in January 2000.
  • Sallyann Sack resigned in September 1998.
  • Laura Klein passed away in January 1994.

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