JGSLA 2010: Breaking news!

The news is flowing from the JGSLA 2010 committee.

The 30th IAJGS International Conference on Jewish Genealogy takes place July 11-16, 2010 at the new JW Marriott at LA Live, in Los Angeles.

The opening day - Sunday, July 11 - will feature a Market Square Fair. All special interest groups (SIG) and birds-of-a-feather (BOF) groups will display information, and these marvelous mavens will provide one-on-one help to conference-goers.

The Fair will include booths manned by genealogically-related non-profit and educational groups, along with craft guilds, historical map info, book signings and more.

Sunday will also feature beginners' workshops, the vendor/exhibit room will be open, book signings and more to be announced later.

The resource room will have Family History Library (LDS) microfilms, along with Shoah Foundation and USHMM databases.

Because Sunday will be such an action-packed day from the morning on, you'll want to be there for the entire day, so think about checking in early to the hotel.

Those who arrive early will enjoy a Shabbat-friendly pre-conference learning experience on Saturday, July 10 and, for services, there's a Chabad House within walking distance.

Evening programs are a big part of the conference program. This year, attendees will enjoy two theatrical presentations - "literary cabarets," as the committee calls them - including an adaptation of Mimi Sheraton's book, "The Bialy Eaters: The Story of a Bread and a Lost World."

"The Bialy Eaters" is a tribute to the endurance and power of memory and how the search for a perfect "chewy crusty roll"represents a deeper longing for a vanished way of life. Don't know what a bialy is? You'll have to come to the conference to find out.

If you're a SIG or BOF leader, watch for information from Vivian Kahn, the SIG/BOF coordinator, who will be providing information on how SIGs can co-sponsor a professor, archivist or recognized expert to speak at the event, with JGSLA 2010's support.

As always, there are options for these geographic and topic-focused groups to meet during the conference - such as a luncheon, business meeting or other format -, so if Vivian hasn't contacted you in the next 10 days, write to her with questions or requests.

So many BOFs are created on an ongoing basis, and if you want your group to included at this year's event, let Vivian know.

JGSLA 2010 will have a special free PowerPoint presentation on CD available in January 2010, offering conference news, previews and film clips, for any JGS or Jewish community group requesting one. It even comes with a great JGSLA2010 T-shirt to give away as a doorprize.

The Call for Papers is open until January 15, and registration for the conference opens on that date as well.

Go to the JGSLA 2010 site and sign up for the announcements, newsletter and blog, so you won't miss any of the exciting news.

Tracing the Tribe will see you in Los Angeles!