Illustration: Eastern European Jewish immigrants arriving in New York. Credit: Frank Leslie’s illustrated newspaper, 2 July 1887; Wikimedia Commons.

Jewish American Genealogy: A Case Study

By Katie Rebecca Garner on June 19, 2024

In this article, Katie Rebecca Garner uses newspaper and census records to tell the history of one Jewish American family... (Read More)

Photo: Touro Synagogue and gardens. The oldest synagogue in America, built in 1763, it is an active synagogue and is located in the historic district of Newport, Rhode Island. Credit: Zellner55; Wikimedia Commons.

Early Jewish Immigrants Sought Religious Liberty in America

By Jane Cook on November 29, 2023

Jane Cook writes about President Washington’s 1790 letter to the Jewish congregation in Newport affirming America’s commitment to freedom of religion... (Read More)

Photo: Touro Synagogue, Newport, Rhode Island, built in 1763 – the oldest surviving synagogue in the U.S. Credit: Kenneth C. Zirkel; Wikimedia Commons.

First Jewish Thanksgiving Prayer Published in a Newspaper

By Jane Cook on November 16, 2023

In this article, Jane Hampton Cook writes about a Jewish Thanksgiving prayer, written by Rabbi Isaac Touro in 1765 amid the turmoil over the Stamp Act... (Read More)

3 Ways to Use GenealogyBank’s Jewish American Newspaper Collection

By Gena Philibert-Ortega on May 30, 2023

In this article – in honor of Jewish American Heritage Month – Gena Philibert-Ortega gives genealogy tips using Jewish American newspapers... (Read More)

Photo: Temple Mount, Jerusalem. Credit: Godot13; Wikimedia Commons.

Jewish Contributions to American Culture

By Sarah Stevens on May 26, 2020

Ever wondered how your Jewish ancestors contributed to American society today? Find out all about significant influences they've made in our latest blog article!.. (Read More)

Fun Facts about Jewish American Heritage Month

By Sarah Stevens on May 14, 2020

We're revealing fun facts about Jewish American Heritage Month not many people know about! Discover how you learn more about your Jewish ancestors... (Read More)

Jewish Last Names & Their Meanings

By GenealogyBank on September 14, 2018

Read this article to discover the intriguing history of Jewish last names and their meanings. Check it out now!.. (Read More)

Photo: Jewish boy reading the Torah at his Bar Mitzvah, using a Yaad (A Torah pointer). Credit: Eli; Wikimedia Commons.

Genealogy Tip: Find Bar Mitzvah Notices in Newspapers

By Gena Philibert-Ortega on May 30, 2018

In this article, Gena Philibert-Ortega learns about Jewish American ancestors by searching for bar and bat mitzvah notices in old newspapers... (Read More)

Detail of a photo of Hannah G. Solomon (right) with her daughter, Helen S. Levy, and granddaughter, Frances Levy Angel

For Women’s History Month: The National Council of Jewish Women

By Gena Philibert-Ortega on March 27, 2017

In this article, to help celebrate Women’s History Month, Gena Philibert-Ortega writes about the National Council of Jewish Women... (Read More)