- 15
- Episodes
- Weekly
- Cadence
- 2022
- First episode
About Gesher Galicia Today
A collection of conversations about Jewish heritage, culture and genealogy in the lands of Galicia.
- Publisher
- Steven S. Turner
- Category
- history · religion & spirituality · society & culture
- Language
- en
- Explicit
- No
- First episode
- 13 Feb 2022
- Latest episode
- 23 Feb 2026
Latest episodes
15 episodes in the feed.
23 Feb 2026
The Mamales in Conversation with Steven Turner
This podcast focuses on Jodi, Maya and Raquel, 3 performers from the Joel Grey directed production of Fiddler on the Roof in Yiddish who after the run of the show formed a singing group The Mamales. They performed at the Gesher Galicia NY event in December, 2025 and due to popular demand, Gesher Galicia is producing a virtual concert by The Mamales on 4/26/26. Hear the story of how they formed their group and how singing in Yiddish became so important to them. A clip of them singing, "The Sabbath Prayer" from Fiddler on the Roof is played during the podcast. Buy tickets for the 4/26/26 virtual concert here. Dr. Turner was in error when he said the livestream will start at 12 PM EDT. It will actually start at 1 PM EDT. Gesher Galicia members write to membership@geshergalicia.org to get the promo code for discounted tickets. Watch their concept video Abi Gezunt here. The video of the Fiddler in Yiddish Cast performing at the 2019 Easter Bonnet Benefit can be seen here.
25 Apr 2025
Renia's Diary with Elizabeth and Alexandra Bellak
Renia Spiegel was born in 1924 to Jewish family living in southeastern Poland in the former land of Galicia.. At the start of 1939 Renia began a diary. “I just want a friend. I want somebody to talk to about my everyday worries and joys. Somebody who would feel what I feel, who would believe me, who would never reveal my secrets - a diary.” And so begins an extraordinary document of an adolescent girl’s hopes and dreams. By the fall of 1939, Renia and her younger sister Elizabeth (née Ariana) were staying with their grandparents in Przemysl, a city in the south, just as the German and Soviet armies invaded Poland. Cut off from their mother, who was in Warsaw, Renia and her family were plunged into war and the grips of the Holocaust. Renia’s sister Elizabeth Bellak, and her daughter, Alexandra join Gesher Galicia President, Steven Turner in a conversation about the diary. Please submit any questions or comments to info@geshergalicia.org.
15 Jan 2025
Bennett Greenspan, Founder of Family Tree DNA with Steven Turner
Entrepreneur and life-long genealogy enthusiast Bennett Greenspan founded Family Tree DNA in 2000. Family Tree DNA was the first company in the world to develop DNA testing for ancestry and genealogical purposes into a commercial business. The Y chromosome test, the company's original product, started the Direct To Consumer genetics testing revolution. Mr. Greenspan’s business and entrepreneur experience spans photo-imaging and commercial real estate. Conversation spans the beginning of the very first commercially available DNA test to the future of genetic genealogy. Please give it a listen.
13 Nov 2024
Nolan Altman, JewishGen's Holocaust Coordinator on Holocaust Research
Nolan Altman was bitten by the “genealogy bug” when he was inspired to write his family history in 1996 in memory of his mother. After making use of the valuable information on JewishGen, he volunteered to do data entry on various projects. In time, he was asked to become the Coordinator for JewishGen’s Holocaust Database and subsequently the Coordinator for the JOWBR (JewishGen’s Online Worldwide Burial Registry) project. Nolan currently holds the position of JewishGen’s Director for Data Acquisition and focuses on growing the JOWBR , Holocaust and Memorial Plaques databases. In 2021, Nolan was recognized by the IAJGS with their Lifetime Achievement Award. In addition, the organization’s volunteer award was renamed in his honor, the Nolan Altman IAJGS Volunteer of the Year Award. He is in conversation with Steven S. Turner, President of Gesher Galicia. A handout for the podcast can be found here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1PdytPYk3iMn9fvn-8_IoTsAkH26tb3qPv_wsyy2s_cM/edit?usp=sharing
17 Sept 2024
Arthur Kurzweil with Steven Turner
We are very excited to present to the community this most interesting conversation between the noted author, educator, editor, publisher and award winning genealogist, Arthur Kurzweil with Gesher Galicia President, Steven Turner. Those of you who were able to attend the gala at the IAJGS in Philadelphia know what a privilege it is to listen to Arthur Kurzweil. We discuss Arthur’s new book, The Persistence of Memory which can be purchased here. Arthur Kurzweil grew up hearing his father's tales of Dobromyl, the small town-a shtetl - in what is now Ukraine, which his father had left behind as a child when his family emigrated to New York in the 1920s. As a young man in the 1970s, Arthur obsessively sought to rediscover this lost world, researching in the New York Public Library and tracking down the shtetl's surviving emigrants. This research led him to write his best-selling book, From Generation to Generation: How to Trace Your Jewish Genealogy and Family History, but his obsession with Dobromyl didn't abate. We hope you give this podcast a listen and look forward to hearing your questions and comments at info@geshergalicia.org. In The Persistence of Memory, Arthur brings us along on his quest to find his father's ancestral home in Dobromyl - a quest that covers physical and spiritual ground. Join him on a frustrating trip to Soviet-held Ukraine in the 1970s to multiple return trips to a free Ukraine in the 21st century, in a quest that brings him to the height of elation and to the depths of despair.
29 May 2024
Galicia Jewish Museum Director Jacek Stawiski with Steven Turner
The Galicia Jewish Museum exists to commemorate the victims of the Holocaust and celebrate the Jewish culture of Galicia, presenting Jewish history from a new perspective. An innovative and unique institution, it is located in Kazimierz, the Jewish district of Kraków. Jacek studied history as well as Jewish history and culture at the Jagiellonian University in Kraków. Since 1992 he worked as journalist, commentator and media manager at the BBC World Service, and RMF (the biggest Polish private radio channel) where he was head of news and current affairs
13 Sept 2023
Jennifer Mendelsohn and Adina Newman of the CJH DNA Reunion Project—in Conversation with Steven Turner
We are very excited to present to the community this most interesting conversation between Jennifer Mendelsohn and Adina Newman of the DNA Reunion Project at the Center for Jewish History (https://www.cjh.org/research/dna) with Gesher Galicia (https://www.geshergalicia.org/) President, Steven Turner. Jennifer and Adina together with the CJH organized this project to help reunite families separated by the Holocaust. Gesher Galicia fully supports the work of this project and we would like to promote it to get as many people to test as possible. Jennifer Mendelsohn is a sought-after genealogist who specializes in helping Eastern European Jewish families shattered by the Holocaust reclaim their history. Her DNA sleuthing was featured in the 2019 bestseller Inheritance by Dani Shapiro. Her work has received international media attention including stories on CNN.com, The New Yorker, The Washington Post, National Public Radio and The Times of Israel. Dr. Adina Newman, EdD, the creator of My Family Genie, is a professional genealogist and educator. Her findings have received international media attention, including mentions in The Daily Mail, AP News, and The Times of Israel, and she has made appearances on several news outlets such as NPR and I24NEWS. She was a 2020 recipient of the AncestryProGenealogists scholarship. You can donate to this project here: https://www.cjh.org/donate/donate-now-dna (https://www.cjh.org/donate/donate-now-dna) We hope you give this podcast a listen and look forward to hearing your comments or questions at info@geshergalicia.org (mailto:info@geshergalicia.org?subject=null&body=null).
18 Apr 2023
Oren Kessler, Author of Palestine 1936 in Conversation with Steven Turner
On Yom Hashoah we remember our sacred martyrs killed by the Nazis and their collaborators. One of the reasons they were able to kill so many is because Jews trying to flee the impending catastrophe had no place that would accept them. Just as war was breaking out and the Jewish plight became more desperate, Great Britain closed the gates of Palestine with its infamous White Paper of 1939. Why did that happen and how did it come about? Oren Kessler in his new book, Palestine 1936: The Great Revolt and the Roots of the Middle East Conflict tells the story. Oren is a journalist and political analyst based in Tel Aviv. He has served as deputy director for research at the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies in Washington, Middle East research fellow at the Henry Jackson Society in London, Arab affairs correspondent for the Jerusalem Post, and an editor and translator at the Haaretz English edition. Raised in Rochester, New York, and Tel Aviv, he holds a BA in history from the University of Toronto and an MA in diplomacy and conflict studies from Reichman University (IDC Herzliya).Kessler’s work has appeared in media outlets such as Foreign Affairs, Foreign Policy, the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, and Politico. You can purchase the book here (https://www.amazon.com/Palestine-1936-Revolt-Middle-Conflict/dp/1538148803).
31 Mar 2023
Jenna Augen, Cast Member of Leopoldstadt—in Conversation with Steven Turner
We are very excited to present to the community this most interesting conversation between Jenna Augen and Gesher Galicia (https://www.geshergalicia.org/) President, Steven Turner about Tom Stoppard's hit show Leopoldstadt (https://leopoldstadtplay.com/)currently on Broadway. Jenna plays the parts of Wilma and Rosa. Jenna’s bio from the Playbill. JENNA AUGEN (Wilma/Rosa). Theatre includes: Leopoldstadt (Wyndham’s Theatre), Bartholomew Fair (Shakespeare’s Globe); The Comedy About a Bank Robbery (Criterion); The Knowledge (Charing Cross Theatre); The Witches (West Yorkshire Playhouse); Bad Jews (UK Theatre Award/The Arts Theatre/St. James Theatre/Theatre Royal, Bath); The Way Of The World (Chichester Festival Theatre); Sleeping Beauty (Birmingham Repertory Theatre); Chicken Soup with Barley (Royal Court); The Two Gentlemen Of Verona (Commonwealth Shakespeare Co). TV: “Episodes” (Hat Trick Productions), “The Night Watch” (BBC). Graduate of RADA. We look forward to hearing your comments at info@geshergalicia.org (mailto:info@geshergalicia.org).
6 Dec 2022
Tony Kahane: Galician Records, Borders, and AI – in conversation with Andrew Zalewski
We are very excited to present to the community this most interesting conversation between Tony Kahane and Andrew Zalewski, two recently retired members of our Board. Tony is the Immediate Past Research Coordinator, Past President/Chair of Gesher Galicia and was the Chair of the Gesher Galicia/AGAD symposium. Andrew is the Immediate Past Vice President of Gesher Galicia, Past Editor of The Galitzianer and renowned lecturer and teacher on the history of Galicia.
19 Jul 2022
Dr. Andrew Zalewski on his Years with Gesher Galicia
In conversation with Gesher Galicia President, Dr. Steven S. Turner. Andrew Zalewski is past vice president of Gesher Galicia and a frequent speaker at meetings of Jewish genealogical societies and cultural and academic institutions in the US and abroad. His interests and writings have focused on Jewish cultural transformation, educational access, modernizing impact of Jewish physicians, and Jewish political and legal rights in Galicia. Unique archival records—population surveys, maps, and old newspapers—provide the background for his in-depth description of Galicia. He authored two books on Austrian Galicia: "Galician Trails: The Forgotten Story of One Family" & "Galician Portraits: In Search of Jewish Roots", in which he traced the story of his ancestors in a historical context. Any questions or comments please write to ssturner@geshergalicia.org (https://mail.google.com/mail/?view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&to=info@geshergalicia.org). To become a member of Gesher Galicia click here (https://www.geshergalicia.org/m21-new-member-registration/Join).
12 Apr 2022
Gesher Galicia Talk with Secular Head of Ivano-Frankivsk Jewish Community & Victim of a Stabbing Attack
Dr. Steven S. Turner and Ms. Darcy Stamler, President of and Treasurer of Gesher Galicia respectively in conversation with Mr. Igor Perelman, secular leader of the Ivano-Frankivsk Jewish Community and Ms. Tetiana Yavirnytska of Nadvirna, Ukraine. Igor was recently the victim of a stabbing attack while handing out food parcels bought with aid from the Gesher Galicia Emergency Appeal. Igor does not speak English and Tetiana translated for him. Tetiana tells her own story of living in Nadvirna during the Russian invasion. Any questions or comments please write to info@geshergalicia.org (https://mail.google.com/mail/?view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&to=info@geshergalicia.org). To donate to the Emergency Appeal for the Ukrainian Galician Jewish Community (https://www.geshergalicia.org/emergency-appeal-for-the-ukrainian-galician-jewish-community/) click here (https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=BFNESQFEZPASC). https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=BFNESQFEZPASC (https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=BFNESQFEZPASC) To become a member of Gesher Galicia click here (https://www.geshergalicia.org/m21-new-member-registration/). https://www.geshergalicia.org/m21-new-member-registration/Join (https://www.geshergalicia.org/m21-new-member-registration/)
19 Mar 2022
Gesher Galicia Associates and Lviv Residents Marla & Jay Osborn on the Situation in Ukraine
Dr. Steven S. Turner, President of Gesher Galicia in conversation with Marla and Jay Osborn of Rohatyn Jewish Heritage, residents of Lviv, currently stuck in California on the situation in Ukraine. We apologize for the echo from Steven Turner's microphone during questioning. That was not evident during the conversation but showed up in the recording. We are very sorry. Any questions or comments please write to info@geshergalicia.org (https://mail.google.com/mail/?view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&to=info@geshergalicia.org). To donate to the Emergency Appeal for the Ukrainian Galician Jewish Community (https://www.geshergalicia.org/emergency-appeal-for-the-ukrainian-galician-jewish-community/) click here (https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=BFNESQFEZPASC). To become a member of Gesher Galicia click here (https://www.geshergalicia.org/m21-new-member-registration/).
24 Feb 2022
Living in Lviv During A Russian Invasion
Recorded 2/24/22 at 19:00 Ukrainian Time A discussion between Gesher Galicia President, Steven S. Turner, Treasurer Darcy Stamler and tour guide and genealogy researcher Alex Denisenko on what it feels like to be living in Ukraine today during a Russian invasion. Any questions or comments please write to info@geshergalicia.org (mailto:info@geshergalicia.org). To join Gesher Galicia click here (https://www.geshergalicia.org/m21-new-member-registration/).
13 Feb 2022
Living with 100,000 Russian Troops on the Borders: Thoughts from Alex Denisenko in Lviv
A discussion between Gesher Galicia President Steven S. Turner, Treasurer Darcy Stamler and tour guide and genealogy researcher Alex Denisenko on what it feels like to be living in Ukraine today with the threat of war from Russia. Any questions or comments please write to info@geshergalicia.org (mailto:info@geshergalicia.org). To join Gesher Galicia click here (https://www.geshergalicia.org/m21-new-member-registration/).
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