Jewish Genealogy 101

About the Talk
Curious about your Jewish roots? Join us for Jewish Genealogy 101, a beginner-friendly webinar that will guide you through the essentials of tracing your Jewish ancestry. Learn how to navigate key records, explore online databases, and understand the unique challenges and rewards of Jewish family research. Whether you're just getting started or looking to refresh your skills, this session is the perfect place to begin your journey.  

About the Speaker:

 Rabbi Scott Kalmikoff was born & raised in Staten Island, NY. He grew up in a two family home where he lived with his parents, younger brother & maternal grandparents. Growing up, Scott had a particularly close relationship with his grandparents who shared many stories with him about their lives, relatives & family history. These family stories inspired a curiosity within Scott who wanted to learn more about his family tree. 

Scott began his genealogical research seventeen years ago at the young age of fifteen. Since then, he has traced parts of his family tree as far back as the 1600s & discovered roots in Belarus, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Lithuania & Wales. Scott has traveled across the globe, visiting the towns his ancestors emigrated from & meeting distant relatives. 

Rabbi Scott received a BA in Jewish Studies with a concentration in Jewish History from Yeshiva University. He was a recipient of the university’s Altshul, Pearlman Memorial Award for Highest Ranks in all Jewish Studies.  Following graduation from Yeshiva University, Scott began his studies at Yeshivat Chovevei Torah Rabbinical School & was ordained in June 2018. Scott is a member of the Jewish Genealogical Society of New York & currently resides on the Upper West Side of Manhattan.  

In March 2024, Rabbi Scott was hired by the Museum of Jewish Heritage in New York City to serve as a genealogy consultant in the museum's Peter and Mary Kalikow Jewish Genealogy Research Center. In this capacity, Rabbi Scott engages with visitors to the center in order to provide them with his expertise in Jewish genealogy, understand their research goals, answer their research questions and assist them in navigating and understanding the variety of databases and resources which exist to research their family history.

Rabbi Scott has facilitated Jewish genealogy workshops for synagogues, JCCs, Hillels and other Jewish organizations across North America, teaching workshop participants how to conduct genealogical research on their own. 

Scott offers his genealogical expertise in American & European Jewish Genealogy to those who are interested in connecting with their roots. For Rabbi Scott, genealogy isn't just a hobby or profession. Genealogy is a journey of personal exploration & self discovery. While learning about our ancestors we learn about ourselves. While learning about our history we connect with & deepen our Jewish identities. Jewish history & our families' stories are our story & deeply influence who we are today in ways we may never fully comprehend. ​Genealogical research provides us with a precious gift we can pass to the next generation, L'Dor VaDor.