Melville JC Works to Preserve Jewish History with JewishGen

This was sent as an email to our congregation on October 30, 2023 to announce this special news about our synagogue’s participation in the JewishGen Memorials & Plaques Database.

Dear Members of the Melville JC Community: I really enjoyed the program held at the synagogue yesterday (Sunday,  October 29) when Brad Kolodny spoke of his book ‘The Jews of Long Island 1705 – 1918’. His book preserves history by memorializing the early Jews of Long Island.

I am excited to share some important news with all of you which also helps to preserve history. Melville JC is proud to have contributed to the JewishGen Memorials & Plaques Database.

For those who may not be familiar, JewishGen, which is affiliated with the Museum of Jewish Heritage, serves as the global hub for Jewish genealogy. This invaluable resource provides free unparalleled access to millions of records, offers unique search tools, and connects researchers with others who share a passion for tracing their Jewish heritage. What makes it remarkable is that it is powered by a dedicated group of volunteers from all corners of the world.

One of JewishGen’s latest initiatives is to catalog synagogue memorial plaques, preserving them for generations to come. These plaques serve as a permanent memorial to those who are listed, ensuring that their names and legacies are never forgotten.  To learn more, please visit the JewishGen website at www.jewishgen.org and explore the Memorial Plaques Database at www.jewishgen.org/databases/Memorial/.

I am proud to announce that the memorial plaques in our synagogue have been photographed and cataloged. In the next few months, they will become part of the JewishGen Memorials & Plaques Database.

If you have any questions about this project or Jewish genealogy in general, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Warm regards,
Stu Lichtman