IAJGS2016Discussion Mailing List: Attention First Timers!

[Chuck Weinstein (chuck1]

We have a record number of first-timers at this Conference, and we want to make sure you feel welcome even before you get here.  The good news is that all presentations for the Conference will be on the second floor of the hotel.  You will not have to wait in long elevator lines between sessions.  Only the film festival will be on another floor (the first floor, adjacent to the hotel check-in counter), and there is an escalator, as well as four elevators that go to each. The Exhibitor’s area is in the center of all the action, and you are encouraged to visit our exhibitors and see how they can help you.  In that same area, we will have translators who can help you translate documents and letters in many languages.  Sign-ups for translation services will be in the Exhibitor’s area.  You will need an appointment to speak with a translator.    

 

There will be plenty of signs to direct you to where you will check in to the Conference and get your badge and a Conference bag, which will contain the syllabus and a Daily Planner, to make it easier for you to map out which sessions you wish to attend.  Both will be on a USB flash drive in a format compatible with either Mac or Windows computers. There will also be a Conference app for Apple and Android phones and tablets, available at the Apple or Android stores shortly.  Our Hospitality Desk, near the Registration area will be staffed with local volunteers who can help you arrange a good dinner in one of Seattle’s many fine restaurants, find out about local attractions, or just find out what the Emerald City of the Northwest has to offer.  All Conference signs will have the banner logo which appears on the web site, as will the Conference badges.  Keep in mind that once you have checked in to the Conference, for security reasons, it is mandatory to wear your Conference badge to gain access to the second floor or the film festival.

 

There will be a Welcome to First Timers session, held on Sunday morning, August 7, at 8:00 AM in the Willow B Room on the second floor.  IAJGS President Marlis Humphrey will lead the session and there will be plenty of time to have your questions answered.  

 

There will be a morning minyan each morning of the Conference, as well as a morning Shabbat service on both Saturdays at either end of the Conference, all in the Madrona room on the second floor.  That will begin at 6:45 AM each day.  All who wish to are welcome to attend.  A daily discussion will be led by Avrami Groll.  The morning Shabbat services will be held at 9:00 AM Saturday the 6 and Saturday the 13^th.

 

You will need tickets for any of the meals.  They will be printed out for you at the time you check in to the Conference.  Long time attendees know to place those meal tickets in the badge holder you will be given, behind the badge, where you will not have to search for them.  There will be no admittance to the meals without a ticket.

 

The Conference features a lot of presentations with something for everyone, from the absolute beginner to the expert.  If you fall in the first category, you need not worry you won’t understand what is being presented.  Our speakers tend to be a friendly lot, and we were all beginners at one time.

 

Relax and enjoy the Conference.  We are eagerly looking forward to welcoming you to Seattle.  Please feel free to ask questions and to seek us out if we can help you.  We hope you will come to a lot of future Conferences and learn better how to build your family history and understand who your ancestors were.  With less than two weeks to go, the excitement is mounting!

 

 

Janette Silverman

Chuck Weinstein

Phyllis Grossman

Co-Chairs 36^th Annual IAJGS Conference on Jewish Genealogy

August 7-12, 2016, Seattle, WA

Co-chairs [at] iajgs2016.org

www.iajgs2016.org