Thank you to all who made this conference a huge success!

Register in-person at the conference

   Sat. (8/17) - 3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
                         8:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
   Sun.-Thur. (8/18-22) - starting at 8:00 a.m.

Conference Sneak Peek

IAJGS Conference

Join Us for Jewish Family History Learning, Networking, and Fun

  • Enjoy 175 different presentations, meetings, workshops, and activities.
  • Meet like-minded family history researchers.
  • Find cousins!
Liberty Bell

Customize Your Conference Experience

  • Attend sessions and workshops to advance your family history knowledge.
  • Solve research challenges during personal meetings with translators and research mentors.
  • Mix comradery with learning at lunches and the gala conference dinner (including Kosher fare).
  • Enjoy the lighter side of Jewish genealogy with popular evening programs such as “Jewpardy!”
  • Take advantage of local attractions and custom tours of Old Jewish Philadelphia.

Latest Conference News

Stay Hydrated, Take Good Notes, and Look Fantastic!

Stay Hydrated, Take Good Notes, and Look Fantastic!

We’ve just launched our brand-new merch store, and it’s packed with fantastic items to make you the envy of all your genealogy buddies. Not only that, these items are designed to help you to stay hydrated, take good notes, and look fantastic while staying comfortable.  As part of our merch store launch, we are giving away a 2025 Conference registration.  Read on to learn how to enter to win.

read more

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the dates of the conference?
The conference runs from Sunday, August 18, 2024 through Thursday, August 22, 2024.
What are the hours of the conference each day?

On Sunday, August 18th, conference sessions will start at 1:00 p.m. The SHARE Fair will run from 2-5 p.m. The Keynote Session will be at 7:00 p.m. Sunday evening. Conference sessions will run daily from 8:30 a.m. to about 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, with additional free evening activities. The Gala Banquet (available for an additional fee) is on Wednesday evening at 7:00 p.m.

When does conference registration open?

Early Bird Registration will opens May 1. 

How much does the conference cost?
Early Bird Registration for the full conference is $395. Once Early Bird Registration ends, the cost will increase to $475. Students under 25 years old, with student ID, can attend for $125. Partners and spouses can register for Early Bird for $295.
Can I attend the conference for just one day?
Yes. The price per individual day is $195.
When does Early Bird Registration end?

Early Bird Registration is scheduled to end July 4, 2024. Once Early Bird Registration ends, the cost will increase to $475.

When does conference registration end?
You may register to attend the conference in-person.
   Sat. (8/17) - 3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
                       8:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
   Sun.-Thur. (8/18-22) - starting at 8:00 a.m.
Online registration ended on August 12, 2024.
Can I register in-person at the conference?
You may register to attend the conference in-person.
   Sat. (8/17) - 3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
                       8:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
   Sun.-Thur. (8/18-22) - starting at 8:00 a.m.
Where can I reserve a room for the conference hotel?

Once you have completed conference registration, a link will be provided to reserve a room in the conference hotel, the Sheraton Philadelphia Downtown, at the group discount rate.

Can I come in early/stay late at the hotel at the conference rate?

Yes, the hotel rate (discounted for conference attendees) will be honored from the evening of August 16th through checkout on August 23rd.

What is the refund policy?

Refunds will depend on when we receive a cancellation notice.

  • On or after July 15, 2024
    NO REFUND or substitutions will be made for requests received on or after 12:01 a.m. EDT July 15, 2024. We regret if illness, family emergency, or other reasons prevent you from participating in some or all of the conference. However, we incur obligations to others based on your registration and additional fee items. There will be no exceptions to the cancellation/refund policy. You may want to consider buying trip cancellation insurance.
  • On or before May 31, 2024
    A full refund of all fees paid less a $50 administrative fee will be made if a cancellation request is received by 11:59 p.m. EDT, May 31, 2024.
  • After May 31, 2024 and before July 15, 2024
    A 50% refund of all fees paid less a $50 administrative fee if a cancellation request is received by 11:59 p.m. EDT, July 15, 2024. If you wish to substitute other conference items for any fees paid, you may do so. This is not transferable to another person. If the substitution results in a net increase, you must pay the difference. If there is a net reduction, the difference will be refunded less a $50 administrative fee. If the difference is less than $50, it is forfeited in lieu of the administrative fee.
What is the meal plan for the conference?

Unfortunately, all meals (box lunches, luncheons and the gala dinner) are sold out.

Is there Kosher food available?

[update, 8/12, all meals at the conference are sold out] Kosher lunches are available for purchase as a box lunch. Kosher plated meals will be available at the Wednesday evening gala. A local restaurant and food guide, including Kosher options, may be downloaded, below, under “Preparing for the Conference.”

Is there a conference mobile app?
Yes, there will be a mobile app (PheedLoop Go) for the conference. The conference schedule, handouts, and networking opportunities will all be provided through the app. It is recommended that attendees download the PheedLoop Go to their personal device from GooglePlay or the Apple App Store.
Can someone teach me how to use the mobile app?

A session on using the mobile app will be streamed the week of August 12, 2024 and on the opening day of the conference. There will also be two live training sessions on Sunday afternoon, August 18, 2024.

Who is speaking at the conference?
The list of speakers and the schedule will be available shortly before registration begins.
Are there any hands-on-workshops available?

All computer classes are sold out.

What is the SHARE Fair?
The SHARE Fair, held on the first day of the conference, is a mini exhibition that provides non-profit organizations involved in or supporting Jewish genealogy the opportunity to share their story and to answer questions of conference participants. It gives conference participants the opportunity to talk with organization representatives and become acquainted with what they offer to genealogists.
What is a SIG or RD?

Special Interest Groups (SIGs) and Research Divisions (RDs) are non-commercial organizations of genealogical researchers working together on common interests in geographical or topical areas. They typically work with local archivists to identify and index records. There are several independent SIGs with interests in Jewish genealogy and many (known as Research Divisions) that are part of JewishGen.org.

What is a BOF?

Birds of a Feather (BOF) groups are informal opportunities for researchers with similar interests to meet and network.

How do I Volunteer?
If you would like to Volunteer, please indicate on the registration form. You will also be asked if you want to provide mentoring or translation services when you register. A member of the conference committee will contact you to follow up.
Can I get help from a mentor?
Mentors offer 30-minute sessions on a variety of topics. The list of topics and mentors should be available before the conference begins. You will be able to find a mutually-agreeable time to meet your mentor in the PheedLoop Go mobile app.
Are Translation services available?
Translators offer 30-minute sessions on a variety of languages (typically German, Hebrew, Hungarian, Polish, Romania, Russian, Ukrainian, and Yiddish). The list of languages should be available before the conference begins. You will be able to find a mutually-agreeable time to meet a translator in the PheedLoop Go mobile app.
Will the Family Finder be available again?
Family Finder is an application within JewishGen.org that allows researchers to identify the surnames they are researching and the communities with which those surnames were associated. When you register for the conference, you will be asked if you want to share your Family Finder information by submitting your JewishGen ID code.
Will there be a Resource Room?
There will be several computers available in the Resource Room at the conference. Website access and software programs will be available via these computers.
What other consultations will be available?
Consultations will be available with representatives from the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and Yad Vashem. You will be able to schedule sessions with these representatives using the PheedLoop Go mobile app.
Will there be recordings available?
There are no plans to record live sessions during the conference.
What security measures are being taken?
There will be a security team onsite at the conference. You MUST wear your conference badge at all times while in the conference area or security will not permit you to enter. No exceptions.
Will there be a conference tote bag?
No. There will be no conference tote bag this year.
Can I connect with other attendees before the conference?

Yes!  Please join our conference Facebook page to connect with other attendees and get the latest updates on the conference.

Who do I contact if I have additional questions?

Send us a message here.