Beth Olem Cemetery is scheduled to be open on Sunday, October 11, 2026 from 10AM to 1PM.
Beth Olem is the oldest Jewish cemetery in Michigan, with graves dating from the 1880s through World War I. It is located on the grounds of the GM Poletown plant in Hamtramck, Michigan, between Smith and Clay Streets. Visitors are allowed only two times per year, around Rosh Hashanah and Passover.
More information about Beth Olem can be found at the following sites:
Sunday, September 20, 2026 from 10am – 1pm Street parking at 9535 Van Dyke Detroit, MI.
Just two miles from the storied Beth Olem cemetery, B’nai David dates back to 1898 when the founding fathers of the then Beth David Synagogue bought a 1.6 acre plot of land in what was then Hamtramck Township for $1,800.
“Help! I Got My DNA Results and I’m Confused!” With Gil Bardige
Please join us IN PERSON or on Zoom for our annual meeting and election!
Sunday, June 7, 2026 at 9:45 AM Zekelman Holocaust Center Free Coffee, tea, and breakfast snacks provided
Are you overwhelmed by your thousands of DNA Results?
You’re not alone. Thousands of genealogy enthusiasts receive their autosomal DNA results from testing companies like AncestryDNA, 23andMe, MyHeritage, and Family Tree DNA, only to feel completely confused by what they find.
Does This Sound Familiar?
Tens of thousands of DNA matches who claim to be “close relatives”
Matches with no shared surnames or geographic connections
Ethnicity results that don’t match family stories
Feeling stuck and not knowing where to start
Ready to give up on genetic genealogy altogether?
Clusters promise results and you are more confused?
Perhaps you are one of the 4000 people at JewishGen who have viewed Gil’s previous webinars.
Take a deep breath – help is here. Part 1.26 is New & Updated including AScM!
What You’ll Learn:
Organize and prioritize your overwhelming match list
Reduce thousands of matches to manageable, actionable research targets
Discover proven strategies to identify key matches that will expand your family tree
Master Gil’s updated 2026 processes for genetic genealogy success
Perfect For:
Beginner Level
Experienced or Intermediate researchers who feel stuck or overwhelmed
Anyone ready for a fresh start with their genetic genealogy journey
By the End of This Session, You’ll Be Able to Say:
“Now I understand. I get it. I know what to do next.”
Gil Bardige was born & raised in Chicago and currently lives in the Columbus Ohio area. A graduate of the New York Institute of Technology, Gil retired in 2019 after a long career in air conditioning and refrigeration most recently as a National Business Development Leader for Trane Technologies.
At the “instruction” of his mother, Gil began his genealogy adventure in 1979 with 54 people in his tree. Today his family tree including Mishpocha, is over 3200 people tracing 4 branches back to his 5th great grandfathers born about 1740. His family arrived in Chicago in the early 20th century.
For over 18 years Gil has expanded his knowledge of Genetic Genealogy, testing at each of the four major DNA companies, and is Administrator of three Y-DNA projects at Family Tree DNA as a Volunteer. He loves to help people manage their expectations and begin to remove confusion from the DNA results whether it’s Y-DNA, mtDNA, or Autosomal DNA. He had spoken at dozens of local events, international webinars and conferences, including at last 10 IAJGS Conferences.
As the Chair of the Genealogy Committee of the Columbus Jewish Historical Society (JGS), Gil developed and hosts the monthly Kvell & Kvetch genealogy Q&A in Columbus. He co-hosts live Genetic Genealogy Q&A sessions at JGS Illinois and JGS Toronto. Gil is on the Advisory Board of JewishGen Ukraine Research Division. For IAJGS, Gil is on the Conference Strategic Planning Committee; he has managed the Conference Mentoring Programs; and co-hosts the Apple Users and Jewish Genealogy Facebook page plus the monthly virtual BOF (Birds of a Feather) meeting. Gil is a member of APG (Association of Professional Genealogists).
Gil is a firm believer that you can use DNA results as a tool in your genealogical research as it generates clues that can help people confirm/deny relationships. His speaking style is high energy (you won’t be bored) and he loves to take questions. People have said of his presentations, “Thank you, Gil, I am no longer confused!”
2026-2027 Proposed Slate
Officers President – Joshua Goldberg VP, Programming – James D. Grey VP, Membership – Debi Acker-Zolnoski VP, Publicity – Adina Lipsitz Recording Secretary – Adina Lipsitz Corresponding Secretary – Diane Freilich Treasurer – Neil Goldman Past President – Adina Lipsitz
Committee Chairs Librarian – Linda Bell Editor, Generations – Terry Kalley Cemetery Project – Marc Manson Constitution and By-Laws – Adina Lipsitz Slate Committee – Adina Lipsitz Speakers Bureau – James D. Grey Webmaster – Adina Lipsitz Member-at-Large – Linda Bisel Member-at-Large – David Sloan Member-at-Large – Rob Starkman
Sunday, May 10, 2026 from 10am – 1pm Street parking at 9535 Van Dyke Detroit, MI.
Just two miles from the storied Beth Olem cemetery, B’nai David dates back to 1898 when the founding fathers of the then Beth David Synagogue bought a 1.6 acre plot of land in what was then Hamtramck Township for $1,800.
Beth Olem Cemetery is scheduled to be open on Sunday, April 12, 2026 from 10AM to 1PM.
Beth Olem is the oldest Jewish cemetery in Michigan, with graves dating from the 1880s through World War I. It is located on the grounds of the GM Poletown plant in Hamtramck, Michigan, between Smith and Clay Streets. Visitors are allowed only two times per year, around Rosh Hashanah and Passover.
More information about Beth Olem can be found at the following sites:
Sunday, March 29, 2026 at 9:45 AM In person at The Zekelman Holocaust Center and on Zoom 28123 Orchard Lake Road Farmington Hills, MI 48334
FREE
Join us for a fascinating discussion connecting baseball, the Holocaust, genealogy and current events!
Hugh Baver is best known for his long-standing involvement and subject matter expertise in preserving and advancing the legacy of Sosúa, Dominican Republic—the only Jewish refugee settlement established during World War II as a direct result of the 1938 Evian Conference.
Through on-the-ground engagement and extensive research Baver has devised dynamic public programming working to elevate Sosúa’s global historical significance as a living case story of refuge, survival, and moral courage during the Holocaust.
The central theme of the presentation is to educate people on the little known Holocaust refugee and immigration history of what occurred back in 1938, and to compare and contrast it with contemporary challenges of refugees and immigration today (ICE seizures, etc) with Sosúa being a prime example of a role model of best practices where refugees/immigrants were not only welcomed/admitted/accepted but were given a path to citizenship and they became fully adopted and productive citizens.
Elihu “Hugh” Baver is a cultural historian, nonprofit founder, and international project leader whose work centers on Holocaust memory, Jewish refugee history, and intercultural education in the Caribbean, Europe, and the Americas.
One of the world’s foremost authorities on the topic of the “Evian to Sosúa” unique Holocaust history, over the past 10 years, Baver has given dozens of lectures and presentations, as well as being the subject of multiple TV, Radio, and print media interviews in high visibility global venues.
Presented by Joseph Pearlstein of Prudential Advisors
Sunday, November 23, 2025 from 1pm to 5pm Congregation Beth Shalom 14601 Lincoln Street Oak Park, MI 48237
FREE!
JGSMI is proud to be a sponsor of this year’s Chanu-Con at Beth Shalom on Sunday, November 23rd. Please stop by our table and say hello!
Live Entertainment with Waterstone Duo | Matthew Ball, Pianist
Fun Chanukah vendors
50/50 Raffle
Delicious Kosher Food
Fun Children’s Activities:
Yoga With Nature’s Playhouse
Bounce House
Candle Making
Face Painting
And much more!
If you have any questions, or are interested in volunteering, please reach out to our Librarian and Beth Shalom member, Linda Bell, at (248) 420-8944 or LindaSBell@aol.com.
In a time of upheaval and turmoil in the Jewish World, Limmud Michigan presents a timely, thought-provoking event, featuring a major panel discussion. Five highly regarded Jewish public intellectuals will share their thoughtful and articulate observations exploring the profound changes and challenges facing Jews worldwide.
The program includes a catered Kosher lunch, Interactive Q&A with the panel members, and breakout sessions offering various perspectives and deeper dialogue with local and regional thought leaders.
Panel Speakers:
Elliot Abrams – Council on Foreign Relations, Senior Fellow
Tal Becker – Shalom Hartman Institute, Vice President
David Harris – Institute for the Study of Global Antisemitism and Policy, Executive Vice Chair
Susannah Heschel – Dartmouth College, Eli M. Black Distinguished Professor and chair of Jewish Studies
Simone Rodan-Benzaquen – AJC Europe, Managing Director
Schedule:
10 AM Main Panel: The Condition of the Jewish People
Sunday, October 12, 10:00 – 11:45 AM Holocaust Memorial Center or on ZOOM Light refreshments will be served Free
The 45th IAJGS International Conference on Jewish Genealogy took place in Fort Wayne, Indiana, August 10-14, 2025 at the Grand Wayne Convention Center.
Join other JGSMI Members as they discuss their favorite seminars and their experiences at the conference. There will be plenty of time for Q&A.
Elihu “Hugh” Baver is a cultural historian, nonprofit founder, and international project leader whose work centers on Holocaust memory, Jewish refugee history, and intercultural education in the Caribbean, Europe, and the Americas. 
