Philly 2009: Nice mention

Tracing the Tribe will be providing readers with all information about the upcoming 29th IAJGS International Conference on Jewish Genealogy, set for Philadelphia, from August 2-7.

At the last Chicago 2008 conference, I met several times with the enthusiastic organizing community - David Mink, Fred Blum, Mark Halpern and others including Jeff Vassar, who is CEO of the Atlantic City Convention Authority. Therefore, I was very happy to read the following in the Jewish Times of Southern New Jersey:

Philadelphia will host the next [International] Jewish Genealogy Conference. While it is months away, Aug. 2-7, planning is underway and publicizing it is in the capable hands of AC Convention Authority CEO Jeff Vassar, assisted by his highly competent media manager, Elaine Shapiro Zamansky. Be assured that Vasser and Zamansky will do a good job of getting the word out.

Conference co-chair David Mink said, "Philadelphia has a rich and lengthy Jewish history so it is appropriate to hold the conference here and the conference will include sessions with a Philadelphia flavor." HM notes that many area residents came here from the Quaker City so they can relate to the subjects covered by the conference.

Mink declared, "Due to historical events that have torn Jewish families apart for centuries many American Jews feel they are unable to trace their family history past their grandparents." The conference, he said, will change all that.

Philly 2009's attendance will draw from many surrounding Jewish communities up and down the east coast, and the South Jersey area is important. For all details on the conference, bookmark the Philly 2009 website.