Genealogy Jungle

13/11/2025

Please don't forget!

Submissions to the Association for Central European Jewish History and Genealogy's international conference "Parallel Paths, Shared Past: Jewish History and Genealogy in Central Europe" are open till Saturday 15 November (including).

https://cejhg.org/en/call-for-papers-cejhg/

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

27/06/2025

Post-War Resilience in the face of adversity (Hebrew post will follow separately)

After the recent war between Israel and Iran, and with the ongoing war in Gaza, I am wishing for peace and a better future for my family, friends, loved ones and for myself.

These times make me reflect on stories that embody resilience, reinvention, and the enduring human spirit, like the ones I collected during my research into the Frank Family saga - their daring escapes, sacrifices, and hope for a better future.

In the final part of my trilogy of post, titled “The Men of the Frank Family”, I explore how survivors in my family rebuilt their lives amidst upheaval - escaping war, forging new identities, and fostering hope across continents.

Their stories remind us of the resilience and adaptability that we must find in ourselves, especially in uncertain times.

Read their inspiring journeys in English, Hebrew, or Slovak, and consider - how does history inform our strength today? feel free to share in the comments.

Explore the Frank family's journey of resilience in the aftermath of WWII. Follow Tamás Frank as he escapes to Brazil, leaving behind a war-torn Europe and facing new beginnings. Discover how his family navigates challenges under communist regimes and reconnects across continents. This final chapte...

05/06/2025

New Blog Alert: "The Men of the Frank Family, Part II: Survival in a Crazy World"!

The second part of this trilogy of posts uncovers the different journeys of the members of the Frank family through WWII, as they split up and navigate a world turned upside down to find paths for survival.
Read this unforgettable story of resilience now>



https://www.genealogyjungle.com/post/the-men-of-the-frank-family-part-ii-survival-in-a-crazy-world

אנו - מוזיאון העם היהודי
בית הספר להיסטוריה ע״ש צבי יעבץ-אוניברסיטת תל אביב
החוג להיסטוריה של עם ישראל
המרכז לחקר התפוצות ע"ש גולדשטיין-גורן
SNM - Múzeum židovskej kultúry
Židovské muzeum v Praze - Jewish Museum in Prague
Center for Jewish History
Yad Vashem: World Holocaust Center, Jerusalem
The Wyner Family Jewish Heritage Center at American Ancestors
Ghetto Fighters' House בית לוחמי הגטאות
Eastern Slovakia Jewish Archive
Magyar Zsidó Múzeum és Levéltár - Hungarian Jewish Museum and Archives
Museum of Jewish Heritage - A Living Memorial to the Holocaust
Jewish Heritage Europe
Beit Theresienstadt
Prešovak.sk
Izraelinfo
Bennem Élő Eredet
Hungaricana
The Times of Israel
International Institute for Jewish Genealogy and Paul Jacobi Center
Association of Professional Genealogists
JewishGen
The Jewish Press
The Jewish Chronicle
MAZEL TOV Festival
Múzeum holokaustu v Seredi
Židia na Slovensku
Slovenské veľvyslanectvo v Izraeli / Slovak Embassy in Israel
Izrael na Slovensku
Jewish Heritage Europe

Join the Frank family as they navigate the chaos of WWII. In this second installment, discover their brave attempts to survive a world turned upside down. Amidst the turmoil, Arnold and Terezia Frank make life-changing decisions while their sons find paths of their own. This emotional journey transf...

26/05/2025

A few months ago, I was asked by Yad Vashem: World Holocaust Center, Jerusalem to write the life story of my grandfather’s brother, Tamás Frank. As a Holocaust survivor, they are interested in documenting and preserving his story and photographs and asked for my help.

After much thought, I decided to tell not only his story, but also the intertwined life stories of his family members before, during, and after the war, which are incomplete when not linked. Each of them had aspirations and hopes for the future, before World War II caused everyone’s lives to completely go off the rails.

Join me on another journey through the world of Slovak Jewry – starting in Nové Zámky in the west of the country and reaching all the way to Prešov in its easternmost reaches.

This post, which is the first part of a trilogy about the men of the Frank family, is specifically published today, On the 26th of May 2025, marking the 12th anniversary of the passing of my grandfather Yehuda Frank.

As usual, the post is available on my blog in Hebrew, English, and Slovak (thanks to my wonderful friend Lucka), and I would love to get your feedback in the comments section of my blog or here

Explore the interwoven tales of the men of the Frank family before WW2, focusing on Arnold Frank and his two sons Juraj and Tamás. This in-depth narrative delves into their lives before the war, highlighting the uncertainty of life between the two world wars. The story uncovers family dynamics, cul...

22/04/2025

Towards Yom HaShoah, we remember the six million Jewish lives lost during the Holocaust and highlight forgotten stories that deserve to be told, like that of Viliam and Aranka Frank from Palárikovo. Their journey, now uncovered through genealogical research, helps keep their memory alive amidst the tragedy. 🕯️

Explore my latest blog post, available in English, Hebrew and Slovak, to learn more about their story and the importance and healing power of preserving family histories.

🔗 https://www.genealogyjungle.com/post/palárikovo-part-3-viliam-aranka-frank-štefánikova-street-s-new-residents



Yad Vashem: World Holocaust Center, Jerusalem
אנו - מוזיאון העם היהודי
SNM - Múzeum židovskej kultúry
Múzeum holokaustu v Seredi
Magyar Zsidó Múzeum és Levéltár - Hungarian Jewish Museum and Archives
JewishGen
Museum of Jewish Heritage - A Living Memorial to the Holocaust
המרכז לחקר התפוצות ע"ש גולדשטיין-גורן
The Wyner Family Jewish Heritage Center at American Ancestors
Holocaust Memorial Miami Beach
Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center
Holocaust Museum L.A.
בית הספר להיסטוריה ע״ש צבי יעבץ-אוניברסיטת תל אביב
החוג להיסטוריה של עם ישראל
Center for Jewish History
Jewish Heritage Europe
ESJF European Jewish Cemeteries Initiative
המרכז לחקר התפוצות ע"ש גולדשטיין-גורן
Jüdisches Museum Wien
Židovské muzeum v Praze - Jewish Museum in Prague
Obec Palárikovo
Beit Theresienstadt
Památník Terezín / Terezín Memorial
Auschwitz Memorial / Muzeum Auschwitz
Państwowe Muzeum na Majdanku / State Museum at Majdanek
Mauthausen Komitee Österreich
Mauthausen Memorial / KZ-Gedenkstätte
Ghetto Fighters' House בית לוחמי הגטאות

Uncovering the mysteries of Viliam & Aranka Frank, new owners of the house in Štefánikova Street in Palárikovo.

11/04/2025

חג שמח! 🕊️
כשתתאספו לליל הסדר ותמלאו את 'והגדת לבנך ביום ההוא', זכרו שזו הזדמנות מעולה גם לשתף את הדור הצעיר בסיפורים המשפחתיים שלנו מדור לדור.
מי ייתן ופסח הזה יביא לכם השראה לשתף בהיסטוריה המשפחתית שלכם, להתחבר לשורשיכם המשפחתיים ולשמר את העושר של המורשת היהודית - כפי שאתם מתחברים אליה.

ולפני הכל - מי יתן והחטופים ישוחררו בהקדם ושכולנו נצא לחופשי ביחד איתם!

11/04/2025

Chag Pesach Sameach! 🕊️
As we gather for the Seder and fulfill 'And you shall tell your son in that day', let us also embrace the passing of our stories across generations. May this Passover inspire you to delve into your family history, connect with your roots and cherish the rich tapestry of Jewish heritage.