Call for Papers

 

The International Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies (IAJGS) announces an invitation to submit lecture, workshop, and panel proposals (see formats below) for the 35th IAJGS International Conference on Jewish Genealogy, in cooperation with MyHeritage, to be held in Jerusalem, at the Ramada Hotel, 6-10 July 2015.

As in recent years, while the conference will have a specific theme, we seek proposals relevant to the interests of all genealogists researching Jewish ancestors. If you have a proposal that does not specifically fit one of the listed categories please feel free to submit that proposal as well.

As the conference will take place a few weeks before celebrating the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II, we plan to focus on the impact of the War on the Jewish people and their lives across the world;

WWII-related topics include, for example:

  • Jewish life in Europe and beyond
  • Jewish soldiers in the military
  • Resources for military documentation
  • The Holocaust
  • Emigration and Immigration
  • Unique archival repositories

Other unique focus areas include, but are not limited to:

  • Resources for researching in Israel (including in pre-State Israel aka Palestine)
  • Technology, tools and techniques
  • Academic studies which might assist the Jewish genealogy community
  • Jewish genealogy for the younger generation

In addition, we welcome proposals for such Jewish genealogy topics as:

  • Resources for researching Sephardic genealogy
  • Researching Rabbinic lineages
  • Jewish genealogy for beginners
  • Country and region-specific research
  • Onomastics

Proposal formats:

  • Lectures - 45 minutes, including time for questions;
  • Workshops - 105 minutes each in the computer lab. Workshops will be opened upon a minimum number of registrants.
  • Panel discussions - 105 minutes. The panel, focusing on a high-level, broad subject, will include up to five speakers on a given topic, will be led by a chairperson and will be summarized by a facilitator (all participants should be named in the proposal). A typical panel will include time for each speaker, a few minutes for the facilitator, and 20 minutes for an open discussion.

Any one prospective speaker may submit up to five proposals in either English or Hebrew. A maximum of three proposals per speaker will be accepted. Individual speakers with at least one accepted proposal receive a partial registration fee waiver.

All proposals must be submitted using the Conference website form; e-mail submittals will NOT be accepted.

Proposals must include the following information (required via the submission form):

  • Full name, mailing address, email address, and telephone number of presenter(s)(If a panel proposal, details for each panelist are required)
  • Brief biographical sketch - (up to 50 words)
  • Summary of recent presentation experience (up to 150 words)
  • Title of presentation (up to 15 words)
  • Presentation type (lecture, workshop, or panel)
  • Brief description of the presentation (up to 150 words)
  • Audience skill level (beginner, intermediate, advanced or all)
  • Preferred language of delivery (English, Hebrew, French)

Submissions Deadline is 7 December 2014, no later than 11:59 EST. Notification of acceptance will be sent out by 15 February 2015.

Supplemental material for handouts will be requested following acceptance.

Contact the Program Committee at program@iajgs2015.org with any questions or comments.