strategy 8 ORGS · 60 ACTIVITIES ← all strategies ·

approach

Collective Knowledge Co-Creation

By engaging distributed networks of volunteers, members, and researchers in collaborative data collection, verification, and knowledge sharing, organizations achieve more comprehensive, accurate, and sustainable genealogical and historical outcomes, because shared ownership increases participation, leverages diverse expertise, and aligns research with community identity and needs. This strategy centers on harnessing the collective intelligence and passion of communities to build and maintain complex historical and genealogical knowledge systems. Unlike top-down archival models or purely donor-driven access, it relies on reciprocal value—participants contribute labor, insight, or data in exchange for access, recognition, or personal connection—creating a self-reinforcing cycle of engagement and discovery. It is distinguished by its emphasis on decentralized contribution, mutual benefit, and long-term cultural continuity through active community involvement.

8

orgs running it

60

activities of those orgs

12

activity groups touched

who runs it

Organizations running this strategy · 8

what it looks like in practice

Activities of orgs running this strategy

A sample of programmatic activities from the orgs above — what the strategy looks like on the ground.

Advocacy to protect endangered Jewish heritage sites GEDER AVOS JEWISH HERITAGE GROUP INC
advocacy
Lobbied successfully to prevent the destruction of the historic Jewish cemetery in Mezhibuzh, Ukraine, which contains the gravesite of the Baal Shem Tov and his disciples, ensuring its preservation for future generations.
Development of visitor infrastructure at Jewish heritage sites GEDER AVOS JEWISH HERITAGE GROUP INC
direct service
Constructed a guest house and mikveh at the Anipoli, Ukraine site to support and accommodate visitors visiting the Ohel of Reb Avrohom Drizin.
Genealogical research and heritage expeditions for Jewish families GEDER AVOS JEWISH HERITAGE GROUP INC
direct service
Provides archival research services and organizes historical expeditions to ancestral shtetlach, towns, and cemeteries in Poland, Belarus, Latvia, Ukraine, Romania, and Israel to help Jewish families trace their heritage and connect with ancestral roots.
Publication of scholarly works on Hassidic and rabbinic genealogical history GEDER AVOS JEWISH HERITAGE GROUP INC
research
Researches, authors, and publishes well-documented books and illustrated biographies on Hassidic leaders and dynastic lineages, including works on Rabbi Moshe Yosef Rubin, Reb Avrohom Mayorer Drizin, and the Rubin, Hager, Rokeach, and Horowitz families. Publications include footnoted, illustrated volumes such as “Celebration 75” and “A Father To So Many Chassidim”.
Reconstruction and improvement of Ohalim (tomb shrines) of significant Jewish figures GEDER AVOS JEWISH HERITAGE GROUP INC
direct service
Undertakes major renovation and construction projects at the Ohalim of historically significant rabbis and Hassidic leaders, including the Baal Shem Tov in Mezhibuzh, Reb Avrohom Drizin in Anipoli, and Reb Yaakov Yosef and Reb Leib in Polonnoye. Projects include structural expansion, installation of lighting, heating, benches, bookcases, and other visitor amenities.
Restoration and preservation of historic Jewish cemeteries in Eastern Europe GEDER AVOS JEWISH HERITAGE GROUP INC
direct service
Conducts ongoing preservation, maintenance, and restoration work at Jewish cemeteries in Ukraine, Belarus, and Russia, including sites in Mezhibuzh, Anipoli, Polonnoye, Fastiv, Hadytch, Lubavitch, Niezhin, Strashelye, Kolomyia, and Ostropol. Activities include fencing, structural improvements, and conservation of tombstones and burial grounds.
Administers educational funds and grants JEWISH GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY INC
direct service
Established the Lucille Gudis Memorial Fund to support educational lectures and genealogical seminars; provides financial support for monthly programs and grants for archival research projects focused on Jewish historical documents.
Coordinates international genealogical research projects JEWISH GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY INC
research
Coordinates research initiatives including KehilaLinks pages for towns in Belarus, Poland, and elsewhere; supports global sharing of genealogical data through internet technologies and collaborates with JewishGen on research and content development.
Hosts educational events and workshops JEWISH GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY INC
direct service
Organizes monthly meetings, lectures, field trips to cemeteries and archives, and educational workshops on Jewish genealogy topics. Also hosts an annual seminar and provides speakers upon request to external organizations.
Leads and supports genealogical societies and conferences JEWISH GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY INC
capacity building
Serves as a model for over 90 global Jewish genealogical societies; co-chaired multiple IAJGS conferences; managed virtual conference sessions; holds leadership roles in IAJGS and NYG&B; sponsors summer conferences and seminars since 1981.
Maintains specialized genealogical databases and online resources JEWISH GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY INC
direct service
Operates a public website hosting unique databases including indexed Brooklyn naturalization records, a searchable database of Jewish burial society plots in the New York metropolitan area, and the New York Landsmanshaftn database; launched online indexing projects in 1997.
Produces and publishes genealogical research materials JEWISH GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY INC
research
Produces and publishes the quarterly journal Dorot and other reference works, including updated editions of Genealogical Resources in New York, which document holdings in libraries, archives, and repositories across New York City and Albany.
Provides research assistance and member support JEWISH GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY INC
direct service
Offers research help to members via email and internet; maintains member-exclusive communications through platforms like Facebook; volunteers at the Center for Jewish History to support genealogical research and preservation.
Develop and maintain the Family Tree of the Jewish People JEWISH GEN INC C/O MUSEUM OF JEWISH HERITAGE
direct service
Aggregates and maintains a centralized family tree database with data on over 10 million individuals, compiled from more than 8,000 contributed family trees.
Engage volunteers in genealogy mission support JEWISH GEN INC C/O MUSEUM OF JEWISH HERITAGE
capacity building
Relies on nearly 1,000 volunteers to support its genealogical databases, research, and community programs.
Maintain Holocaust research databases JEWISH GEN INC C/O MUSEUM OF JEWISH HERITAGE
direct service
Hosts and maintains multiple Holocaust-related databases, including the JewishGen Holocaust Database with over 6 million records, the Łódź Ghetto database (240,000 inhabitants), survivor name lists from Aufbau and Munich publications, and a 1945 European survivor register. Also includes the Yizkor Book Necrology Database with over 350,000 entries.
Maintain global Jewish communities and burial records database JEWISH GEN INC C/O MUSEUM OF JEWISH HERITAGE
direct service
Provides historical data, maps, and resources for over 6,500 Jewish communities across Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East, and operates the JewishGen Online Worldwide Burial Register (JOWBR), a database of Jewish burial records with over 360,000 memorial entries and 242,600 photos from 894 institutions in 57 countries.
Offer educational programs and research training JEWISH GEN INC C/O MUSEUM OF JEWISH HERITAGE
capacity building
Provides instructor-led online classes, research articles, and educational initiatives such as the L'dor V'dor Legacy Program and AI-focused genealogy lectures. Also offers specialized training in Belarusian research, historical map use, and digital research organization.