The countdown has begun! In just a little over a week, registration opens for the 45th IAJGS International Conference on Jewish Genealogy in Fort Wayne, Indiana. This landmark event, running from August 10-14, 2025, promises to be an exceptional opportunity for Jewish genealogists of all experience levels.
Today, we're highlighting three remarkable experts who will be sharing their knowledge and insights at this year's conference. These distinguished presenters represent the caliber of expertise you can expect throughout our five-day program centered on the theme "And We Settled Here... The Jewish Journey."
Jennifer Mendelsohn: Co-Founder of the Holocaust Reunion Project
Jennifer Mendelsohn has become one of the most recognizable names in the field of genetic genealogy and family reunification. As a co-founder of The Holocaust Reunion Project, she has helped connect Holocaust survivors and their descendants with long-lost family members through the power of DNA testing and meticulous research.
Jennifer's work embodies the essence of our conference theme, demonstrating how the Jewish journey continues to unfold through discovery and reconnection. And, if we are lucky, she will also share more about her #resistancegenealogy work.
Daniel Horowitz: Genealogy Expert at MyHeritage
With nearly two decades of experience as the genealogy expert at MyHeritage, Daniel Horowitz brings unparalleled expertise in utilizing technology to advance genealogical research. His deep understanding of both traditional research methodologies and cutting-edge digital tools makes his sessions invaluable for attendees at all skill levels.
Daniel's unique perspective bridges the gap between technological innovation and the preservation of Jewish heritage and family connections. And, don’t forget to ask him about “time travel.”
Dr. Gary Phillip Zola: Lincoln Collection Expert
Gary Phillip Zola served as the executive director of The Jacob Rader Marcus Center of the American Jewish Archives (AJA) from 1998 through June of 2023. Currently, Dr. Zola maintains his faculty status as the Edward M. Ackerman Family Distinguished Professor of the American Jewish Experience & Reform Jewish History at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR).
We are particularly excited to announce that Dr. Zola will be providing a special private tour of the renowned Lincoln Collection at the Allen County Public Library. This limited-attendance opportunity will explore the fascinating intersections between Jewish history and the Lincoln era.
Dr. Zola will also be presenting a session on "The Jews and Lincoln," offering insights into the relationship between the Jewish community and one of America's most significant historical figures. This presentation highlights the unique opportunity our Fort Wayne location provides to explore broader American historical contexts relevant to Jewish genealogical research.
We’ve already purchased copies of his book, “We Called Him Rabbi Abraham: Lincoln and American Jewry, a Documentary History,” to read ahead of the conference so we can ask really smart questions of him while he’s there.
Why Fort Wayne?
This year's conference marks an exciting shift from previous years, offering all the exceptional content and networking opportunities you've come to expect from IAJGS conferences but in a more affordable and accessible setting.
Fort Wayne boasts the Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center - one of the largest family history research centers in the world - with over 1.2 million physical items available to researchers, including extensive Jewish genealogical resources. The library has been adding even more titles to their collection specifically for our conference!
Mark your calendars: Registration opens April 1, 2025, with EARLY BIRD pricing available for a limited time. Stay tuned for our next post on March 26th, where we'll share impressive statistics about this year's program offerings!
Have questions about the conference? Visit our website at http://iajgs2025.org or follow us on social media for the latest updates.
