Genealogy Jungle

09/11/2025

Tonight marks the 87th anniversary of *Kristallnacht* — or, as it is called in Austria, the “November Pogrom.”
On the night of November 9–10, 1938, a massive coordinated attack against Jews took place across the Third Reich — in Germany, Austria, and the Sudetenland region of Czechoslovakia. The perpetrators were members of the SA and SS, Hi**er Youth, and ordinary citizens, while the authorities stood by and allowed the violence to unfold unchecked.

The name *Kristallnacht* (“Night of Broken Glass”) refers to the shards of glass that covered the streets after the windows of Jewish synagogues, homes, and shops were smashed and trampled. More than 1,400 synagogues and prayer halls were destroyed or set on fire. Over 7,000 Jewish-owned businesses were looted and vandalized. 30,000 Jewish men were arrested and sent to concentration camps. Early reports spoke of 91 Jews murdered, but modern research suggests the true number was far higher.

Tonight I’m sharing with you an image of one of the synagogues destroyed that night — the Leopoldsädtertempel was Vienna’s largest synagogue, located on Tempelgasse Street in the city’s second district. It could seat 2,500 worshippers.
Today, that street is grey and lifeless; it’s hard to imagine that one of Europe’s most magnificent Jewish landmarks once stood there. In that synagogue, hundreds and thousands of Jews were married — native Austrians as well as immigrants from across Central and Eastern Europe.

After the war, there was no one left to fight for its reconstruction. A third of Austrian Jews were murdered in the Holocaust. A third fled. A third “disappeared.” The survivors who remained were few, frightened, and broken. Who could have demanded to rebuild it then?

That’s why the image I’m sharing here is the result of a collaborative project between myself מתן שגב פרנק together with my talented friend Maya created using three different AI systems and detailed manual editing in attempt to revive a world that was erased, and to show you a glimpse of the beauty that was destroyed.

21/09/2025

Every year we recite the blessing "May the year and its curses end, and may the new year start with its blessings", but in general - the Jewish year 5785 sucked...

I hope for a much better year, in which the hostages will finally released, and those among them who can still be treated will receive all the restorative treatment they need and peace; I hope that the State of Israel will bless itself with a government that is worthy of leading its residents, who will deal with repairing, healing and rehabilitating the horrors and psychological scars that have been added to us this year. I also hope that the war will end already, and that both sides will finally find a way to live next to each other civily, and perhaps will even find a way to start a new chapter and forge peace despite the horrors both sides created. And I hope that the world will somehow return to the right track, and the general atmosphere will return to one of peace and prosperity.

We all deserve a better year, which will allow us to focus on what matters (and in general).

May we merit strong health, joy and love, and exciting and joyful genealogical discoveries!

14/09/2025

During my recent trip to Brazil, I had the privilege of helping reunite a family whose branches had been separated for nearly a century.

After decades of research and more than ten years of unsuccessful attempts to reconnect, my client finally spoke to her 2nd cousin for the very first time — a moment filled with “happy tears,” as she described it.

Here’s what she shared about the experience ⬇️ (see image).

Genealogy is about so much more than documents — it’s about identity, healing, and bringing families back together. If you’d like me to help uncover your family’s story or reconnect with long-lost relatives, I’d be honored to work with you.

📩 Get in touch with me here on Facebook or through my website.

08/09/2025

A few days ago, I returned from a destination wedding in Brazil - a trip that became so much more than a family celebration. Between reunions, breathtaking views, old and new family traditions, and even reuniting a family that had lost touch for nearly a century, Jewish genealogy was at the heart of it all.

I’ve shared the full story on Mattan Segev-Frank’s Genealogy Jungle blog in English, Hebrew, and Slovak. 🌍

Sign up to my website now, and get all my future posts directly by email before everyone else.

👉

In Brazil I celebrated my nephew’s wedding, reunited family across continents, and lectured at Rio’s Edmond J. Safra Synagogue on Jewish roots in Central Europe. And while at it, I reconnected two branches of a family separated for nearly a century. A journey where genealogy, history, and love i...

31/08/2025

Back from Brazil with a heart full of gratitude 🌍✡️

On August 20th, I was warmly welcomed at the Sinagoga Edmond J. Safra - Ipanema, where I had the privilege of speaking to the Jewish community of Rio de Janeiro about unveiling Jewish roots in Central Europe.

Together, we delved into:
🔹 The ties between Brazilian Jews and Central Europe
🔹 Historical turning points that shaped Jewish life
🔹 The challenges of shifting borders and missing documents
🔹 Sources and archives that open new possibilities
🔹 How we can overcome research obstacles to reconnect with our past
🔹 And last but not least, how my work as a Historian, Genealogist, and Storyteller, helps people navigate their Genealogical Jungle - whether it’s to rediscover their family’s journey, strengthen identity, pursue European citizenship, or preserve their heritage for generations to come.

💌 If you’d like me to bring this lecture to your community, send me a message!

Photography: Ifat Golan