Andrew Zalewski: JEWISH GALICIA: VIBRANT PAST REDISCOVERED

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May

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Date/Time
Date(s) - October 8, 2018
7:30 pm

Speaker
Andrew Zalewski

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Andrew Zalewski:

JEWISH GALICIA:  VIBRANT PAST REDISCOVERED  

October 8th, 2018  Monday evening
 7:30 pm at AJU

Andrew Zalewski intertwines genealogical discoveries with a broader historical context bringing to life the Jewish community of Galicia. The talk is of interest to general audiences interested in Jewish genealogy; the presentation is illustrated by unique archival documents and old maps.
Andrew Zalewski, the author of two books on Austrian Galicia (1772–1918), explores the impact of the Habsburg rule on Galician Jews—the laws about marriages, surnames, schools, and military service brought dizzying pace of changes but also controversies. Pious traditionalists and impatient reformers of the Galician Enlightenment, laborers and professionals, as well as dwellers of shetls and cities were all members of a vibrant community there. With Jewish cultural rebels writing biting satires and poetry, passionate arguments about language (Yiddish, German, Hebrew, and Polish), secular education, and loyalties easily erupted.   Discover the largest Jewish community in Austro-Hungary, learn stories about personal perseverance, and explore unique records.

Andrew Zalewski is a former professor of medicine at Jefferson University, Philadelphia. He is a board member of Gesher Galicia and editor of its research journal, the “Galitzianer.” Andrew is a frequent speaker at meetings of Jewish genealogical societies, and cultural and academic institutions in the US and abroad. His talks focus on Galicia, the former province of Austria-Hungary and home of a large Jewish community.

Andrew Zalewski has authored two books: “Galician Trails: The Forgotten Story of One Family” and “Galician Portraits: In Search of Jewish Roots,” in which he traced the story of his ancestors in a historical context.  Unique archival records—population surveys, cadastral maps, and old newspapers—provided the background to his in-depth description of Galicia.

The JGSLA Traveling Library and Mentors Corner will be available starting one-half hour before program time.
                                 JGSLA MEMBERS FREE – GUESTS $5.00 –