Jewish Genealogical Society of Tampa Bay

Sephardic Genealogy

Presentation by Gary Fernandez

Sunday, May 21, 2023

.The Jewish Genealogical Society of Tampa Bay will hold a meeting on Sunday, May 21, 2023. Participants can choose to attend in person or watch via Zoom.

• Date:                     Sunday, May 21, 2023
• Time:                    Social with refreshments begins at 1:30 p.m.; Program – 2 p.m.
• Place:                    In Person: Gulf Coast Jewish Family and Community Services, 14041 Icot Blvd.,                                    Clearwater, FL33760

                                         Online: Zoom (RSVP information below)

• Program:             “Sephardic Genealogy”
• Speaker:               Rabbi Gary Fernandez

Rabbi Gary Fernandez will speak about Sephardic (also spelled Sefardic) genealogy drawing on his extensive experience with the Sephardic diaspora throughout the Mediterranean and Latin American world.  He will provide a foundation of knowledge about the origins of Sephardic Jewish culture and trace the development of Sephardic communities following their expulsion from Iberia.  He will also speak to the possible resources available to trace Sephardic family ties.

rnandez has been the head rabbi of Synagogue Beth Israel in Sanford, Fla., since 2001. He is also the President of Aliyah Sefarad International, a humanitarian organization dedicated to the Sephardic cause. In addition, Fernandez is the official spokesperson to the Hispanic Communities for EZRA International, a Christian nonprofit that says it “that helps the poorest of the poor Jewish people make Aliyah.”

He has spoken at conferences in the United States, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and the Caribbean regarding Sephardic genealogy, DNA and the genetic disorder Machado Joseph Disease (MJD). He has appeared in newspaper and magazine articles and interviews on radio and television.

In-person attendees can socialize and use JGSTB’s library before watching Fernandez together via Zoom.

Online attendees must reserve to receive sign-on instructions. You can do this on our Reservation Page. The program is free to members and $5 for non-members. Dues, which will run through 2023, are $25 for single members and $35 for couples/families and can be paid through  our Dues Payment Page.

For specific questions, please contact Bruce Hadburg at 727-796-7981, or email him at bhadburg@tampabay.rr.com. For more information about the Jewish Genealogical Society of Tampa Bay, go to http://www.jgstb.org/.

* Gulf Coast Jewish Family and Community Services Food Pantry - Donation Appeal:

Many families that Gulf Coast JFCS serve struggle to provide food for themselves and their children. The Gulf Coast JFCS William and Sally Israel Food Pantry supports families and individuals in need including through our Family Reunification Services program.

 Your support ensures program counselors and coordinators can access healthy food items when needed by families experiencing food insecurity. Removing worry about food shortages allows families to focus on other vital building blocks for healthy families. Please consider supporting those in need through the following ways:

 Bring food donations to JGSTB meetings located at Gulf Coast JFCS in Clearwater

Donate debit cards or cash to Gulf Coast JFCS in person or through their website or through its Amazon store.