Genealogical Society will discuss displaced Jews, exodus of Soviet Jews

The Jewish Genealogical Society of the Conejo Valley and Ventura County and surrounding areas will hold a general meeting from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Wed., Nov. 15 at Temple Adat Elohim, 2420 E. Hillcrest Drive, Thousand Oaks.

The topic of the evening will be "Genealogist As Detective: Solving Mysteries Using HIAS Case Files." The event is co- sponsored with Temple Adat Elohim,

Valery Bazarov of the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society will speak on HIAS activity, including the thousands of Jews displaced after World War II and the massive exodus of Soviet Jewry in the 1970s. By using case studies and with the help of archival documents, Bazarov will discuss the scope of HIAS and YIVO archives, "where to go for what" and how reconnecting with family past becomes possible.

Bazarov is a Russian émigré who came to the United States in 1988. During the next decade, he assisted with the arrival of more than 200,000 Jewish refugees who came to the United States under HIAS auspices.

Bazarov is currently responsible for the HIAS Location and Family History Service which helps immigrants of different generations to find family members and friends whom they lost contact with over the years.

The Jewish Genealogical Society of the Conejo Valley and Ventura County is dedicated to sharing genealogical information, techniques and research tools with anyone interested in Jewish genealogy and family history.

There is no charge to attend the meeting. Anyone may join the or

ganization. Annual dues are $25 for an individual and $30 for a family.

For more information, e-mail publicity@jgscv.org.