IAJGS Lifetime Achievement Award 2025: David Silvera
In appreciation of David Silvera’s years of effort building an essential resource for Sephardic Jewish history and genealogy researchers: the A Nação Hebraica project. Under his energetic and innovative leadership, thousands of pages of 17th–19th century records of the London Spanish and Portuguese Jews’ Congregation have been digitized, transcribed, and made publicly available. His leadership has been visionary, sustained, and impactful, extending far beyond a single project to reshape the genealogical landscape for Western Sephardic Jews worldwide.
2025 President’s Award: Marlis Humphrey
With awe and gratitude for her extraordinary service to the International Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies, 2013–2021 and 2022–2025. As President of IAJGS and, later, in her role as Past President, Marlis pushed IAJGS to innovate to keep pace with the changing genealogy and technology landscape—a daunting task. Her ability to think strategically, to identify and focus on the gist of each issue and to fashion creative solutions has been invaluable. She leaves the IAJGS as a forward-looking and much stronger organization.
2025 President’s Award: Douglas M. Cohen
With gratitude for his eight years of dedicated service as Treasurer of the International Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies, 2015–2023. Doug brought financial professionalism to the IAJGS and strengthened its fiscal health. In addition to his fiduciary duties as a member of the IAJGS Board of Directors, Doug dedicated himself to planning, guiding, and monitoring the budget of the annual International Conference on Jewish Genealogy. Doug’s diligence and attention to clear reporting and detail ensured the continued viability of the conference and the IAJGS organization.
Certificate of Appreciation: Joseph Tarshish
With gratitude for his excellent service as Treasurer of the International Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies, 2023–2025. He applied a clear-eyed view of our budgeting and financial positions and moved IAJGS to take advantage of current technologies and resources.
2025 Member of the Year: Southern Arizona Jewish Genealogical Society
In recognition of the exceptional efforts of the leaders of the SAJGS over the past year to revitalize their organization. They have re-incorporated as a 501(c) non-profit, relocated monthly meetings to a centralized location, and fostered collaboration with other Jewish organizations. Through the development of study groups, monthly Zoom lectures, field trips, and other outreach initiatives, they have expanded opportunities for members to engage with the organization. Their efforts to expand board membership, establish a robust digital presence, and form working committees have further strengthened their community presence.
2025 Future Leader of the Year: Ethan Parmet, Jewish Genealogical and Archival Society of Greater Philadelphia
In recognition of his demonstrated leadership and leadership potential within the Jewish genealogical community and in support of his local society and its goals. Ethan has organized events, mentored peers, and contributed to groundbreaking research. He has taken an active role in the Har Jehuda cemetery restoration and digitization project. In addition to his active work in the cemetery clean-up, he has taken over 10,000 photos, many of which have been uploaded to JOWBR. He has also connected with other young people through various genealogical sites, provided research assistance, and engaged with them in genealogical research projects.
Nolan Altman Volunteer of the Year 2025: Estella Rappaport, Fundación IWO - Genealogia Judia Argentina (AGJA)
In gratitude for Estella’s sustained and thorough volunteer work in support of genealogical research in Argentina and beyond. She has documented and digitized more than 200,000 burial records (now available on JOWBR), ketubot, and other genealogically valuable records across Argentina and Uruguay. Her efforts have preserved thousands of records that would otherwise have remained inaccessible. Her participation in seminars, presentations, and the IWO library reference service have been outstanding and invaluable.
Outstanding Publication 2025: Venturing Ito Our Past, Jewish Genealogical Society of Conejo Valley and Ventura County
In recognition of this quality publication and its editor, Diane Goldin. The quarterly issues contain summaries of monthly meetings; additional references on presentation topics; links to relevant podcasts, news articles, videos, reference sources, and discussion topics regarding Jewish genealogy in general; photos, graphics, and personal stories submitted by members; and a column to inform people about best practices for personal technology security. Venturing Into Our Past is freely available on the JGSCV&VC website and is a resource for the entire Jewish genealogy community.
2025 Outstanding Resource: All Israel Database, Israel Genealogy Research Association
In recognition of the All Israel Database and its substantial contribution to Jewish genealogy. A large crew of volunteers from around the world has, thus far, transcribed, translated, and proofread more than 3.5 million lines of data extracted from a wide variety of Ottoman, British, and Israeli administration sources. Researchers have access to information about those who lived in Israel or passed through on their way to other countries. The All Israel Database has filled a gap in record availability for Jewish researchers and is a welcome resource for the community.
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