The International Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies (IAJGS) is an umbrella organization coordinating the activities and annual conference of more than 90 national and local Jewish genealogical societies around the world. IAJGS was formed in 1988 to provide a common voice for issues of significance to its members, to advance our genealogical avocation, and to coordinate activities such a
s the annual International Conference on Jewish Genealogy. Most local and national Jewish Genealogical Societies (JGSs) and a number of Jewish genealogical Special Interest Groups (SIGs) and historical societies are members. residents are tax deductible. Objectives of the IAJGS are:
- To collect, preserve, and disseminate knowledge and information with reference to Jewish genealogy.
- To assist and promote the research of Jewish family history.
- To provide opportunities for the sharing of Jewish genealogical information.
- To encourage the publication of worthy material in the field of Jewish genealogy.
- To promote membership in member Jewish genealogical societies.
- To act as spokesperson for Jewish genealogical societies in areas of mutual interest.
- To provide member societies with services to help them become more effective organizations.
- To elevate Jewish genealogy among people who are searching Jewish roots and in the academic community.
- To promote public access to genealogically relevant records.
- To foster creation of Jewish genealogical organizations in unserved areas. Significant Activities in Furtherance of These Objectives
- Routinely providing new and potential societies with organizational assistance
- Presenting achievement awards recognizing excellence in various aspects of Jewish genealogy
- Providing monetary awards to facilitate activities that provide resources for Jewish genealogists
- Ensuring the continuity and effectiveness of the annual International Conference on Jewish Genealogy
- Gathering and making available data to support the research of Jewish genealogists (including the Family Tree of the Jewish People, cemetery and burial information, and Jewish records at the FHL)
- Providing list services to facilitate email communication between member society presidents, program chairs, and newsletter editors
- Providing the ability for our U.S. member societies to be recognized as 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organizations under the umbrella of the IAJGS 501(c)(3) status. The IAJGS Board meets periodically both in person and virtually to review progress on our various ongoing activities and to initiate new activities in support of our member societies and Jewish genealogy in general.
