Clay in My Boots: A Romp Through My Genealogical Past

 At the IAJGS Conference in 2020, I attended a presentation by Scott Genzer titled Using Facial Recognition Tools to Identify Unnamed Ancestors for Genealogical Research . I immediately reached out to Scott as I thought this would be valuable resource for use within the Kremenets District Research Group. The initial version required Scott to manage all the pictures on his Amazon Web-Services sites. But, over the last year, with a lot of help from Scott I was able to standup my own site.  Since then I've uploaded over 100 pictures that I collected from the Kremenets District websites, Yitzkor Books, and from mine and cousin's collections. I believe I'm now ready to launch the website: https://kdrgfaces.s3.amazonaws.com/index.html A few of the pictures you will find include: Rachel Ochs Gouline, my Great-Grandmother Alexander Glickman , my cousin Mark Glickman's Grandfather Isaac Stern , a Kremenets Native Son

  Today is Simchat Torah 5782.   At Temple this morning we celebrated the Festival Service followed by Yizkor Service. Between the two, Rabbi Gary Pokras’ sermon connected them both by explaining how the stories in the Torah are the stories of our ancestors. As we proceed to remember those who have passed, also remember our ancestors from long ago.  This got me to thinking about my more recent ancestors who I have honored by including them in my Genealogy.  So on Simchat Torah, I remember … Shalom Volf Altschul, Ajzik Barbas, Tsipa Bashes, Abram Bashes, Enta Bashes, Peisakh Bashes, Rafel Bashes, Abram Bashes, Lena Bass, Sarah Sheva Bass, Abraham Bass, Yetta Musicant Bass, Louis Yehuda Bass, Peisakh Bass, Simon Bass, Lotta Bass, Moshe Tzvi Galon, Shimon Lejbovich Gertsberg, Lejb Shulimovich Gertsberg, Shulim Gertsberg, Khaya Gertsberg., Chane Gisa Gertzberg, Rachel Ochs Gouline, Jacob Israel Gouline, Jeanne Gouline Highstein, Charles Izrail Highstein, Celia Kreiger Highstein, Max Mendel

My Dad, Sid Snyder would have been 92 today. He passed away 22 years ago and his life continues to be for blessing. I miss you Dad.    Here is my Dad with my stepmother, Marcia.

I taught a one hour session and 1/2 hour discussion titled "Introduction to Jewish Genealogy" to the Brandeis National Committee, Middlesex Chapter, today, Thursday, May 20, 2021. I used the story of Rachel Ochs Gouline, the mother of 2 Baltimore Chapter Members to bring some color to the discussion.  The slide show is available at: https://bit.ly/BNCMCGen01

One of the most extensive list of website links for both General and Jewish Genealogy.  This is from the Museum of Family History.  https://www.museumoffamilyhistory.com/links.htm

We woke on our last day in the Canyon to partly cloudy skies, a nice break from the raining night that had just passed. In style we were served Eggs Benedict. As was expected by now the hollandaise was prepared perfectly and the eggs were cooked to order. Since we’d lost the camaraderie from the night before, folks seemed to gather around at breakfast.   The day went a little different as we no longer needed the dry bags as we prepared to be taken out of the canyon. Who couldn’t resist one last visit to the best seat in town with a wonderful river view, a solid #2 on the 7 days scale of locations, topped only by Deer Falls. [Sorry, I couldn’t resist ... both puns intended.] After loading the boats, they took some parting shots of the group.  What a nice group of people. On reflection during the trip and while scanning the group, I’m disappointed by the lack of diversity. Maybe next time. Our takeout location was 6 miles downstream, as usual I took my position on point.  We did enjoy a

Our call to Coffee and OJ, then breakfast of bagels, yogurt, and peaches; included a request to pre-pack sandwich for lunch to save time when we made our lunchtime stop. After a half-dozen rapids including Bedrock, Deubendorff, and Upset Rapids we arrived at our surprise destination. For our lunch break, we stopped at Habasu Canyon. After shimmying along a cliff face above the rapids (with life vests on), we headed back into the Chasm without vests, joking that the fall would kill us before we hit the water. Eventually we made it to shore level after passing a beautiful waterfall and were treated to the most gorgeous place on Earth. The oasis was too amazing to be real. It truly looked like a Theme Park set with aquamarine flowing water, tropical plants, orange boulders, and a lush grassy knoll. We crossed a stream and enjoyed our sandwiches.  Trent passed us by claiming we’d find bikini clad girls around the next bend, but we waited at our relaxation spot for reports upon his return.

The Ram’s horn called us to Coffee and OJ. I apologized to Lauren for their selection of camp locations, as I slept extremely well on this barren sandbar. Sleeping next to the river was very calming and our choice of locations made for no blowing sand for us. Breakfast was French-toast, Pork chops, and applesauce and real maple syrup.   We started with a short float through 2 small rapids and arrived at Blacktail Falls. This involved a short hike to the back of a small canyon where we found a delightful waterfall spilling into a small pool of water with little fish.   We all took turns standing in the waterfall for a refreshing shower and a picture moment. I was able track down a picture of me from one of my traveling partners (Clare McManus). For lunch we stopped on a pleasant little beach and had Tuna Wraps. After a dozen rapids including Bedrock, Deubendorff, and Upset Rapids we arrived at another chasm. The day ended early at Deer Creek Falls and we camped across the street. Deer C

The ram’s horn called us to Coffee and again to Breakfast Burritos as we packed up for Rapid Day. We were promised 53 rapids today, more than the prior 3 days put together. Our first rapid of the day was Hance (8 of 10) that I took in my usual spot out on the left side of the “rack.”   It was non-stop rock ‘n roll as we approached Phantom Ranch and the Kaibab Suspension Bridge. Folks above were taking pictures as we passed by. I called out asking if they’d share ... they seemed receptive until I called out my mobile number then the ignored me (nasty landlubbers.) We continued to enjoy rapids minute by minute including Rancid Tuna and the Gems. At Ruby Rapid (I have a dog named Ruby) I again lost my balance and this time was my legs through forward and I ended up on my back laughing hysterically ... no Lauren rescue, but I gave the audience a show.   Ruby Rapid:  https://youtu.be/70k_rcJWXOE 25 Min of Non-stop Action:  https://youtu.be/mRnKM2wlVFU  (updated) We stopped for a sandwich lu

Scoutmaster, Michael Snyder and Assistant Scoutmaster, Rich Celotto wave to Grand Canyon Earth-Cam!

Woke early to try and get some star shots. Couldn’t get star mode to work on my camera, I’ll give it another try at Scout Summer Camp. Moonlight all night for the rest of this trip. Decided since I was up, I’d go back up to above the tree line to grab some more river and canyon shots. Heard the Shofar call announcing hot coffee and orange juice and scurried back to camp just in time for blueberry pancakes, sausage and real maple syrup.   We packed up in preparation for the day, and rounded a few bends in the river and turned into a beach at the confluence of the Little Colorado River.   Words nor pictures can fully describe the turquoise-blue river, its white banks and its beautiful setting. We spent the entire morning frolicking along it’s banks, body rafting it’s little rapids and climbing it’s step-like canyon walls.  I swam the rapids 4 times, including a trip down the rocky side bumping my bum half way down to the exit pool. At 70° the water was a wonderful change of

Our first morning in the Canyon, we woke to a Shofar call announcing hot coffee and orange juice. Shortly thereafter we feasted on Eggs to order, bacon, and hash browns.   We packed up our cots, a go-bag with camera and hiking gear, and a dry bag that held our other belongings, and sleeping bag. We also had a bag to hold everyone’s tripods that would be available for photo shoots. I took my place on the “rack” and off we went down the first days rapids, a continuous succession known as the Roaring Twenties as they were that far from Mile Zero. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LChOzkrhlBE After that came what a fondly call “opps another rapid” that Lauren failed to notify us as we were caught by surprise. We pulled over for a photo shoot at Redwall Canyon Amphitheater an carved out formation that John Wesley Powell claimed could easily hold 50,000 people. This gave us time to work with Willie on our photography skills. He was extremely patient with me and the other newbies. A a short laz

Our Grand Canyon trip began with a 3:00AM wake up call in Las Vegas, followed by a Grab & Go breakfast and a shuttle ride to Bolder City Airport (BLD) and a short flight over Lake Meade and to the south of the canyon to Marble Canyon Air Strip (MYH). We put in a Lee’s Ferry (0 Mile) with our guides: Joe, Lauren, Macay (mah-k-eye), and Dan. The trip started with a few riffles at 1 through 6 Miles, bringing us to Badger Creek & Soap Creek Rapids. I rode out front on the “rack” as opposed to the Princess Seats or the Chicken Coup. No one could ride in the mouse trap during rapids (area between the big metal storage lockers), nor the stern of the boat that was reserved for the Guides who piloted the J-rig raft (named for Jack Currey a founder of WRE). At 13 Mile Rapid we stopped at the Ledge to make introductions by meeting the 30 guests and 4 crew. Guests included 4 physicians and 2 CPAs among a variety of other occupations. There were husbands & wives, mothers & daughters

Two men walked on opposite sides of a river. One shouts to the other, “How do I get on the other side of the river?!” The second man shouts back, “You ARE on the other side of the river!!” 4/20/2021 Tomorrow, I head to the Grand Canyon from Las Vegas for a Rafting Trip that has been in the planning for 3 years, including 2 postponements due to COVID. I'll be going from Lee's Ferry to Whitmore Wash for a total on 181 miles and more than 1000 rapids over 7 days. John Wesley Powell did the same trip in 1869 (Read: Down the Great Unknown) in 3 row boats. I expect that my raft will be better equipped.  I'll share pictures on my return. In the meantime here's a video to let you know what I'll be experiencing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B302rrXpB9A I expect that my itinerary will get me to a point nearest the South Rim on Saturday, April 25th at about 7:40PM EST/5:40PM MST, wave and I’ll wave back:  https://www.earthcam.com/usa/arizona/grandcanyon/?cam=grandcanyon “Y

https://suspilne.media/123099-primisenna-kolisnoi-sinagogi-u-lucku-de-die-sportskola-peredali-religijnij-organizacii/ The premises of the former synagogue in Lutsk have been given to permanent free use for the needs of the religious organization "Jewish Religious Community Ha Ba D-Lubavichi", - the director of the historical and cultural reserve in Lutsk Pavlo Rudetsky told Public. The corresponding order was signed by the head of the regional state administration.  Currently, there is a children's and youth sports school in part of the building, which is being closed.  Prior to that, the building was on the balance of the State Historical and Cultural Reserve. The synagogue is an architectural monument of national importance, located in Lutsk at 33 Danylo Halytskoho Street. the user cannot rent it, ”says Pavlo Rudetsky about the nuances of transferring the synagogue to a religious organization. Today, the synagogue is collapsing.  https://goo.gl/maps/akKUwfK95GUN2ZqM6 A