News About Jewish Genealogy, Jewish History, and Jewish Culture
Editor: Phil Goldfarb, Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA
- From The L’Dor V’Dor Foundation…Jewish Heritage, History, and Family History to Your Inbox. It’s fascinating and it’s free! The Weekly News Nosh and JDays via E-mail is here! Today’s the Day! 📣
- MyHeritage Introduces Ancient Origins: Trace Your Origins Back 10,000 Years! Ancient Origins allows MyHeritage DNA customers to discover the ancient populations they descend from, such as Imperial Romans, Norse Vikings, Phoenicians, and Ancient Egyptians. MyHeritage is currently the only major genealogy service to offer such high-resolution ancient DNA ethnicity analysis. Read more from their blog: Introducing Ancient Origins: Trace Your Origins Back 10,000 Years – MyHeritage Blog
- The YIVO Institute for Jewish Research. For 100 years, the YIVO Institute for Jewish Research has preserved the legacy of one thousand years of Ashkenazi Jewish life. Through their treasured collections and robust programming and educational initiatives, YIVO tells the story of what we have cherished, what we have endured, and how we have persisted. Read about what they are doing for their 100th year anniversary: YIVO Centennial | YIVO Institute for Jewish Research
- New database helps users to find scanned Ukrainian archive records in a few clicks. The speed of Ukrainian archive records going online is faster than many people ever imagined, especially when remembering that Ukraine was once part of the former USSR. But how to easily find all these millions of records has been the struggle for many people researching their Ukrainian roots. Read more: New database helps users to find scanned Ukrainian archive records in a few clicks – Find Lost Russian & Ukrainian Family
- Speaking of Ukraine: History of the Jews of Ukraine. Once Europe’s largest Jewish community, Ukraine has had a major influence on the development of Ashkenazi Jewish culture. Read the story from My Jewish Learning: History of the Jews of Ukraine | My Jewish Learning
- Mikvehs and monks: Vivid hues link rare Jewish and Christian finds in Judean Desert. Archaeologists from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem just concluded their second season of excavations at Hyrcania, where they found colorful Byzantine mosaics and Herodian frescoes. Read more from The Times of Israel: Mikvehs and monks: Vivid hues link rare Jewish and Christian finds in Judean Desert | The Times of Israel
- The Hidden Jewish Cave Villages of Libya. For centuries, Jews made their homes in caves hidden in Libya’s Nafusa Mountains, safe from enemies and the harsh desert climate. Read more from Aish: The Hidden Jewish Cave Villages of Libya | Aish
- The Most Common Census Errors. Even though census records are a valuable source of genealogical information, they are not always correct. In this post, learn how to spot the most common census errors. Read about the 10 most common ones: 10 Most Common Census Errors – Who are You Made Of?
- The forgotten U.S. plan to send Jewish refugees to Alaska — and why it matters today. The Last Frontier is now home to about 6,000 Jews. The plan, known as the Slattery Report, died in Congress and was then forgotten. Read more from The Forward: Slattery Report proposed moving Jewish refugees to Alaska – The Forward
- On the Origin of the Pork Taboo. Exploring ancient people’s shifting beliefs about rearing and eating pigs. Pork accounts for more than a third of the world’s meat, making pigs among the planet’s most widely consumed animals. They are also widely reviled: For about two billion people, eating pork is explicitly prohibited. The Hebrew Bible and the Islamic Koran both forbid adherents from eating pig flesh, and this ban is one of humanity’s most deeply entrenched dietary restrictions. For centuries, scholars have struggled to find a satisfying explanation for this widespread taboo. Read the story from Archeology: Letter from the Levant – On the Origin of the Pork Taboo – Archaeology Magazine – March/April 2025
- Why Music is Fundamental to Jewish Prayer. Jewish tradition teaches that music unlocks the door to divine connection. In the Hebrew numerological system known as Gematria, the numerical value of the words for prayer, tefillah, and song, shirah, are identical. From this we can see that music is a form of prayer, and prayer is a form of music. Read more from My Jewish Learning: Why Music is Fundamental to Jewish Prayer | My Jewish Learning
- 1950s America: A ‘Golden Age’ for Jews. After World War II, Judaism thrived in America, and the country awarded its Jews insider status. Read the story from My Jewish Learning: 1950s America: A ‘Golden Age’ for Jews | My Jewish Learning
- For President’s Day…George Washington and the Jews. This famous letter, written by George Washington in 1790, is a response to Moses Seixas, warden of the Touro Synagogue in Newport, Rhode Island. In it, Washington addresses the tolerance and freedom of religion in the newly established nation. Read the letter reprinted from My Jewish Learning: George Washington and the Jews | My Jewish Learning
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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.