Descendants’ Day 2021 An All-day Virtual Event

Click Here to Register! - Zoom link will be sent after registration

SCHEDULE

9:30 am: Welcoming Remarks & Introductions by Erika Rief Hornstein and Aliza Sollins

10:00 am: Opening session with Rabbi Etan Mintz and Dr. Laura Shaw Frank, Director of Contemporary Jewish Life, American Jewish Committee (AJC) - Charm City Jews: A Colorful History Informing the Challenges of the Present - The Baltimore Jewish community has a rich and storied history that spans over two centuries. Baltimore Jews were eloquent advocates for themselves and for Jews around the world. They were patriotic Americans who weighed in on the issues facing our nation. And, they were passionate Jews who built a strong and vibrant Jewish community in our city. Bnai Israel is an integral part of this history: the history of our shul is inextricably tied to the history of Baltimore Jewry as a whole. Examining the history of our shul and of Baltimore Jewry is more than just a historical exercise; it helps us to understand our community today and chart a path to our future. As we begin to emerge from the unprecedented challenge of a worldwide pandemic, our Jewish community is engaged in deep thinking about the impact of this past year and a half and what directions we should strive for in the coming months. Join us as we delve into our past to understand our present and look toward our future. 

11:15 am: Interlude with Joanna Church, Director of Collections and Exhibits at The Jewish Museum of Maryland (sharing materials or stories from the museum archives)

11:30 am - 1:00 pm: Jewish Genealogy with Rabbi Scott Kalmikoff, genealogist and principal at Genealogy with Rabbi Scott

1:00 pm- 1:45 pm: Lunch Break: Tea Room and Shmoozing: During lunch break rooms will be open so people can meet and talk. Want to reserve one for your extended family?

1:45  pm - 3:15 pm: Virtual Walking Tour of the Historic B'nai Israel Cemetery
Famous Figures and Common People who Lie at Rest Here and the Stories they Tell with Dr.Laura Shaw Frank, Director of Contemporary Jewish Life, American Jewish Committee (AJC), Fred Shoken, Baltimore Historian, Michael Stein, B’nai Israel Cemetery Committee Chair

3:15 pm: Interlude with Joanna Church, Director of Collections and Exhibits at The Jewish Museum of Maryland (sharing materials or stories from the museum archives)

3:30 pm - 4:30 pm: Building Community in Jonestown Today  with Professor Lindsay Thompson, Historic Jonestown, and ethicist and associate professor at Johns Hopkins University Carey Business School; Rabbi Etan Mintz;
Fred Shoken

4:30 pm: Thank yous and Farewells

4:45 pm - 5:45 pm: Final session: Genealogy Trouble Shooting with Rebecca Dobbs and The Jewish Genealogy Society of Maryland

Take Note:

If you are attending the Virtual Walking Tour of the Historic B'nai Israel Cemetery and would like to make sure we visit the gravesides of your family please fill out that section in the registration form. We will prioritize those who provide such information.

If you would like us to help you troubleshoot some of your genealogical research you can attend the Genealogy Troubleshooting session at 4:45 pm. Fill out that section in the registration form if you already know the questions you want to ask. Spontaneous questions during the session will be fine but we will prioritize those that we are given in advance.

Click Here to Register! - Zoom link will be sent after registration

This program is generously supported
by the Jacob and Hilda Blaustein Fund of The Associated