Format: Download Slides with Synchronized Audio - MP4 Video File $9

Presenter: Tammy Hepps

While the history of the American Jewish community remains largely an urban one, most of us have at least one branch from a small town. This settlement pattern was especially prevalent in the South. Though these places may seem harder to research for being relatively unknown, they actually pose a unique opportunity for family historians to understand our ancestors in the context of their communities. This talk will review novel records and research approaches for understanding your ancestral small town, as well as concrete steps descendants can take to ensure these communities aren't lost to history. Along the way you'll hear lots of memorable and surprising stories of what life was like for the minority of Jewish immigrants who became Americans far from the safety of the urban cultural centers.