
Introduction to Landsmanshaftn and Why It Is Important for Your Research
All Levels of Research
Featuring Avrohom A. Krauss
Sunday, November 9, 2025
9:30 AM – 10:00 AM – Schmear, Schmooze, and Share
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM (Mountain Time) – Main Program
Held via ZOOM
About the Program
Landsmanshaftn (hometown societies) were organizations formed by immigrants from a common ancestral location. These groups provided social benefits, raised funds for the needy back home, and memorialized their towns after the Shoah. These “shtetl satellites” thrived across North America, Israel, Argentina, South Africa, and Australia.
Records kept by landsmanshaftn can contain genealogical information unavailable elsewhere — helping researchers uncover the activities of ancestors or even identify unknown branches of a family tree.
This session will survey landsmanshaftn, explore their unique activities, and introduce key resources for genealogical research.
About the Speaker
Avrohom A. Krauss is a Jewish educator, genealogist, and speaker known for highlighting underutilized resources in family history research.
He is the creator of the CAHJP Landsmanshaft Inventory and the Philadelphia Landsmanshaftn Inventory.
His work appears in Avotaynu, Avotaynu Online, and Dorot. He presents regularly at IAJGS conferences, local genealogical societies in the U.S. and Israel, and as part of the JewishGen Webinar Series. He has also been featured on the Ordinary Extraordinary Cemeteries podcast.
Originally from Elizabeth, NJ, Avrohom now lives in Telz-Stone, Israel.
Registration Details
JGSCO Members: Free
Guests: $5
️ All attendees must register in advance:
https://jgsco.org/event-6282570