News About Jewish Genealogy, Jewish History, and Jewish Culture
Editor: Phil Goldfarb, Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA
- Breaking Update: The L’Dor V’Dor Foundations Worldwide Jewish Event Calendar (called JDays) becomes the leading website to search for Jewish programs and events! To view presentations and happenings globally 24/7/365, go to: JDays. Not just from Jewish Genealogy Societies but from Jewish Museums, Holocaust Museums, Jewish Historical Societies, Jewish Universities, Universities with Judaic Studies Programs, Jewish Heritage/Historical Centers, Jewish Book Clubs, and much, much more. To post your organizations event, go to: User Submitted Events. To subscribe to receive monthly emails about various outstanding, interesting, and educational programs, go to: Subscribe – L’Dor V’Dor Foundation (LDVDF)
- Scholars transcribe hundreds of thousands of Cairo Geniza fragments, some never read before. The MiDRASH project received an $11.5 million grant to take research on medieval Jewish literature to the next level. Read more from The Times of Israel: Scholars transcribe hundreds of thousands of Cairo Geniza fragments, some never read before | The Times of Israel
- How the first Bible to include a map helped spread the idea of countries with borders. Chart from 500 years ago reflected European ignorance of Holy Land, with later iterations improving; division into territories of 12 Israelite tribes set stage for international boundaries. The map appeared in Christopher Froschauer’s 1525 Old Testament, which was published in Zürich and widely distributed in 16th-century central Europe. Read more from The Times of Israel: How the first Bible to include a map helped spread the idea of countries with borders | The Times of Israel
- 5 Surprising Ways Google’s Gemini 3 Will Change How We Research Family History. Read the story: Genealogy’s Star: 5 Surprising Ways Google’s Gemini 3 Will Change How We Research Family History
- Using Photographs, Clothing, Uniforms, and Hairstyles to Understand Your Ancestors. These would be considered fashion trends. They can also serve the purpose of dating and sometimes identifying localities of residence. They can also shed light on the following topics that can potentially lead to more information and record sources such as the age of the individual, place of residence, economic status, whether they were an immigrant or native born, and where/why the picture was taken. To read more go to: Lee County Library System: Genealogy Research Tips: Using Photographs, Clothing, and Hairstyles to Understand Your Ancestors
- DNA test kits spark a surge of online conversions to Judaism in the U.S. Some people who felt a connection to Judaism discover hidden ancestry. Read the story from The Forward: Conversions to Judaism rise after DNA tests – The Forward
- Study anchors obscure pharaoh in time, opening research path into dating the Exodus. A PLOS ONE paper places Ahmose’s reign over Egypt decades after the famous Thera volcanic eruption in the Aegean Sea, with vast implications for the region’s history. Read more from The Times of Israel: Study anchors obscure pharaoh in time, opening research path into dating the Exodus | The Times of Israel
- The Secret Jew and Incredible Survival of his Lost Manuscript. The amazing story of Luis de Carvajal, a secret Jew who was murdered in the 1500s, and the unlikely survival of his handwritten memoirs. Read the story from Aish: The Secret Jew & Incredible Survival of his Lost Manuscript | Aish
- In Galveston, descendants of a forgotten Jewish migration keep their community’s story alive. The Texas city was briefly known as ‘The Ellis Island of the West’ thanks to Jacob Schiff. Read the story from The Forward: In Galveston, descendants of a forgotten Jewish migration keep their community’s story alive – The Forward
- S. Senate passes bill to identify Jewish US soldiers buried under incorrect religious markers. Shalom Lamm, of Operation Benjamin: “those who sacrificed all ought to be remembered for eternity for who they truly were in life.” Read the story from JNS: Senate passes bill to identify Jewish US soldiers buried under incorrect religious markers – JNS.org
- Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade featured a bagel balloon. Lox and Java, two “trycaloons” honoring New York deli classics, made their second appearance in the famous parade. Read the story from NY Jewish Week: Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will feature a bagel balloon – New York Jewish Week
- Six Ways Jews Shaped Thanksgiving. How Jews helped to create the quintessential American holiday. Read the story from Aish: 6 Ways Jews Shaped Thanksgiving | Aish
- Do Jews Celebrate Thanksgiving? The fall feast is not only celebrated but embraced by many Jews as a tangible symbol of comfort in America. Read the story from My Jewish Learning: Do Jews Celebrate Thanksgiving? | My Jewish Learning
- When a Pennsylvania Leader Invited Jesus to Thanksgiving. In 1868, Philadelphia’s Jews united in protest after their governor Christianized the holiday. Read this story from My Jewish Learning: When a Pennsylvania Leader Invited Jesus to Thanksgiving | My Jewish Learning
- This is how New Yorkers celebrated the High Holidays at the turn of the 20th century. Special tours at the Tenement Museum explore the lives and holiday traditions of the Jews of the Lower East Side. Read more from NY Jewish Week: This is how New Yorkers celebrated the High Holidays at the turn of the 20th century – New York Jewish Week
- Bletchley Park, north of London, the site of the top-secret World War II operation to decrypt the Nazi Enigma cyphers, was once what is known as a Jewish Country House. The estate was purchased in 1883 by the prominent Jewish financier, politician, and local philanthropist Sir Herbert Samuel Leon (1850-1926) as a country retreat for his family. Read the story from Jewish Heritage Europe: https://jewish-heritage-europe.eu/2025/11/27/uk-bletchley-park/
- New immersive walking app uncovers Sheffield’s hidden Jewish heritage. Tech recovers untold stories of the northern United Kingdom city’s Jewish community. Read more from Jewish News UK: New immersive walking app uncovers Sheffield’s hidden Jewish heritage – Jewish News
- Boxcar of same type used by Nazis to herd Jews installed at new Boston Holocaust museum. Donor’s father was transported to Treblinka in same type of railcar, was among death camp’s fewer than 100 survivors; museum, opening 2026, will be first of its kind in New England. Read the story from The Times of Israel: Boxcar of same type used by Nazis to herd Jews installed at new Boston Holocaust museum | The Times of Israel
- America’s oldest Jewish congregation launches a kosher food pantry on the Upper West Side. Congregation Shearith Israel, an Orthodox congregation that is also known as The Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue, was established in 1654, making it the oldest congregation in the United States. Read more from JTA: America’s oldest Jewish congregation launches a kosher food pantry on the Upper West Side – Jewish Telegraphic Agency
- The former synagogue in Poznan, Poland is for sale for €8.2 million ($9.5 million U.S. dollars). A protected monument, it can be converted to a hotel or apartment but must allocate space for a Jewish history museum. Read the synagogue’s story from Jewish Heritage Europe: https://jewish-heritage-europe.eu/2025/11/24/poland-poznan-sale/
- Bipartisan bill in Congress would create ‘Jewish Refugee Day.’ If approved, Nov. 30 would commemorate the expulsion of roughly 900,000 Jews from Arab countries after Israel’s founding. The day would be known by both its English name and the Hebrew translation, Yom HaPlitim. Read more from JTA: Bipartisan bill in Congress would create ‘Jewish Refugee Day’ – Jewish Telegraphic Agency
- How a wedding in Oklahoma taught a group of police officers and SWAT team members to care about Judaism and Israel. Before the authors daughter’s marriage, many attendees had never met a Jew. Note: This ceremony was conducted in my hometown of Tulsa, Oklahoma and officiated by Rabbi Michael Weinstein of Reform Temple Israel. Read the story from The Forward: How an Oklahoma wedding taught its guests to care about Judaism – The Forward
- New record label boasts young (and female) singers of cantorial music. The producers of ‘Khazones Underground’ hope this Ashkenazi musical genre can be revived, just as klezmer was. Read the story from The Forward: Record label boasts young (and female) singers of cantorial music – The Forward
- City of David opens modern guest rooms atop ancient Jerusalem. A new tourist complex invites guests to stay in 12 boutique apartments above the site said to have been King David’s Palace. Read about it from JNS: City of David opens modern guest rooms atop ancient Jerusalem – JNS.org
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About The Weekly News Nosh
The Weekly News Nosh contains news about Jewish Genealogy, Jewish History and Jewish Culture. The Nosh is published on Sundays and distributed by the L’Dor V’Dor Foundation on its website and social media platforms. “A Family Without The Understanding Of Their Past History, Foundation And Ethnicity Is Like A Tree Without Roots.” Subscribe to receive future announcements.