Presentation of Rosenblatt collection to Natioanl Library of Israel

They say all roads lead to Rome. In this instance the long road of a thirty-year journey culminated in the holy city of Jerusalem bringing home the spiritual names of a wandering nation, who for 2,000 years were subject to being evicted from every country where they had sojourned for centuries.

We are, of course, speaking of the wandering Hebrews and more so the Jewish community of Ireland who found a home in the isle of Ireland for over 1,000 years. Just a little before my time.

However, the period we are looking at covers the 300 years from 1700 to 2022. On the 19th of January 2023 twenty-two volumes of research on Irish Jewish ascendants and descendants, researched over 30 years, were presented to the National Library of Israel in Jerusalem. The presentation also included the accumulated library of volumes on Irish Jewry and all the attendant research material amounting to fourteen boxes. They had been shipped from London to Jerusalem leaving my shelves denuded and leaving me “Bereft of my Babies”. Now, if I need to research a document either I fly to Jerusalem or, better still, fly to Dublin to the Society’s research library.

Coat of Arms of Stuart Rosenblatt. The collection of Stuart’s publications on Irish Jewry Image courtesy of the GSI. Image courtesy of the author.

There comes a time in one’s life when suddenly the realisation that one is not getting any younger demands one reflects on what to do with the personal copies of the works that have received wonderful comments of appreciation. With this in mind, the search began for a suitable home. Where would be the most appropriate resting place of the memories, trials, and 67 Journal of the Genealogical Society of Ireland tribulations of those who found a home in Ireland? Here they were allowed to practise their faith and raise their children, who contributed to the development of Ireland, were associated the independence of Ireland, created employment, were involved in the arts and medicine, and took office as aldermen, government ministers, judges, and councillors?

Suggestions such as a university in Ireland, America, England, or perhaps a genealogical society in a place where there is a high proportion of people of Irish Jewish heritage, were proposed. Currently there are complete sets at the National Archives of Ireland, the National Library of Ireland, the Irish Jewish Museum, and the Genealogical Society of Ireland. Finally, came the suggestion that that there was only one place for the new home of this body of work: Israel.

By a chance phone discussion where this concern was mentioned the suggestion was made that, as the 75th anniversary of Israel was due to be celebrated, it would be a good time to combine the presentation and celebration at this event to be held in Jerusalem.

Due to the inordinate and respectful work by Malcolm Gafson contact was made with officials at the National Library of Israel. They were absolutely ecstatic to know that this, the accumulated details of a whole country, the thirty-two counties of Ireland, where Jewish records were found would be made available. The timing was especially good as they were building a new library and the collection would be displayed in “The Irish Section” for future generations to research their rich heritage.

The date was set, tickets booked, and the day arrived. A 5:30am taxi to the airport…what could go wrong? The hand luggage size is correct, that is until you get to the gate.

“Excuse me sir.” (Very polite) “Your case looks big. Please place it in the sizer.” With the plane load of passengers looking on, lift the case onto the measurer where the case fits in but the wheels lean over the side. As you know one can not cut off wheels. The cost of wheels £55. Either that or leave the case behind. Your choice.

Coming back, I mentioned my dilemma at the check-in desk, that my luggage was booked in as cabin bag. In good Irish Israel style “That’s OK, sir. Have a safe journey”.

The big day arrives, and I make my way to the National Library. The room is laid out with more seats than I could count, the podium on a large, elevated stage. I said to myself in Hiberno[1]English “What the - have I let myself in for?”. There was not much time to consider any alternative except find the restroom to wash the hands. Meeting the members of the Israeli Irish community was absolutely wonderful. It was a jamboree of which only Irish could enjoy and behave. The shouts of greeting and recognition were wonderful to hear.

There were photos with the great and good, greetings, and the opportunity to get email addresses of those who came for later research. Then the time came to access stairs to the throne room or execution room, taking the reserved seat with his excellency Kyle O’Sullivan 68 Journal of the Genealogical Society of Ireland Ambassador of Ireland and Ambassador Sallai Meridor Chairman of the National Library of Israel on either side…as one does every day, like.

The chairman and master of ceremonies Malcolm Gafson called the assembled to order. A hush of a silence as I have never heard from an enclave of excited usually boisterous and loud Irishmen. Sitting trying to look relaxed, hearing the heart beating like a brick and breathing getting difficult waiting to be called to the podium. Before me Ambassador Sallai Meriodor, chairman of the National Library of Israel was asked to the podium.

The effect of what he said about the unique heritage and wonderful research and documentary of the Irish Jewish community of Ireland, of which generations not yet born will be able to know where they come from including their eastern European origins, left me an emotional wreck to the extent when called to the podium I could not start my presentation. I explained in a somewhat gutted tone my appreciation of the recognition of my 30 years journey.

My opening words were “Do you know your grandmother is not your real grandmother” which is true. These were the words I was told many years ago and they started this journey which has not finished. Which brought me to the Dún Laoghaire Genealogical Society, now the Genealogical Society of Ireland, and the honour of becoming a Fellow and your President for the last 9 years.

There is a saying often quoted “Fame is Fleeting” and how true. While you are up there doing whatever you do, once off the stage it is as if it never happened. In this instance when the evening finished, the excitement back to normal, the hall empty except for the caretaker and the chairman, I enquired if a taxi could be called to take me back to the hotel. The chairman took me back leaving me near the hotel which was in a pedestrian only street. It is now 11pm and having not eaten since 3:30pm I need refuelling. The only places for food are takeaways and pizza parlours. Choosing one, giving my order, I see sitting alone at a table another gentleman on his own. I gestured him to sit and share the table. I was so amused at the ironic situation where, an hour ago I was standing in front of all and sundry, and now ending the evening sitting solo having a pizza. He then proceeds to tell me he had an association with Ireland in years past – he was involved in an interesting moment in Irish history!

What a wonderful end to an exciting journey. I hope you have enjoyed it too.

Journal of the Genealogical Society of Ireland Volume 24 2023

It has been an honour and privilege representing the Genealogical Society of Ireland as its President for the past ten years. Since my inauguration in 2014, the wearing of the 'Chain of Office' may have been purely ceremonial and, in the Irish tradition for such positions, devoid of any executive role. Nevertheless, the position of President has the important functions of official representation and the promotion of the Society's objectives and activities. This was a hugely rewarding role meeting enthusiastic genealogists and heraldists from around the world and, of course, being inspired by the quality and diversity of their research activities.

Although the Covid-19 pandemic greatly curtailed my opportunities to attend events organised by the Society and others from 2020 to earlier this year, we all kept in contact via Zoom and many of us established new research collaborations during this period with distant relatives from across the world. For the President of the Society this was a very important development as it brought me into contact with our worldwide membership in a manner that couldn't be envisaged without Zoom.

Attendance at the many events where the Society had a stand was always enormously enjoyable. Whether, answering research questions or being given the opportunity to introduce members of the public to my own field of research - the Irish Jewish Archival History - meeting all the visitors to our stands was simply wonderful. These outreach events, along with the provision of the archive and research centre, have always been very close to my heart because it is so important to promote an awareness, appreciation, and knowledge of our genealogical heritage. The Members volunteering at the events and at the facility in Loughlinstown are to be highly commended.

To have seen the Society develop from humble beginnings to be recognised today as one of the foremost in the field and widely respected throughout the world of genealogy and heraldry, undoubtedly, successive Board of Directors and the scores of volunteers over the years have done the Society proud.

Finally, as my term of office is due to end in March 2024, before the next issue of this excellent Annual Journal, I wish to commend Laura Price and her team for the production of this wonderful publication - a great service to genealogists, heraldists and vexillologists around the world.

Wishing you and your family health, happiness, and prosperity.

Kindest regards, Stuart Rosenblatt, PC, FGSI

Journal of the Genealogical Society of Ireland Volume 24 2023

Twenty-two volumes accumulated of Jewish history in Ireland

Stuart Rosenblatt, president of the National Archives and the Genealogical Society of Ireland, is seen with the then-Lord Mayor Críona Ní Dhálaigh in August 2015, when he presented his definitive volume of Jewish history to the Dublin city archive and public library. (Screencap: YouTube) You certainly have heard the name Stuart Rosenblatt if you are a member of the Irish Jewish community or had some interaction with them. He has been the ‘clan genealogist’ for over 25 years now and documents family information covering centuries. He cited the passing away of his parents as the moment that spurred this voyage: “Naturally, like all of us lesser mortals we leave this realm one day and as the real library of family details are no longer with us, making contact with our ancestors is all the more difficult.” Over time, covering his own family tree branched off and evolved to a record that now spans 70,000 individual names of ascendants and descendants in what seems to be every country in the world. He notably helped uncover a story, published in the Irish Examiner, where IRA legend Michael Collins hid among the ‘chosen people’ and even disguised as an Orthodox Jewish man. Collins once even cursed at the British in what sounded like Yiddish, with Reverend Gudansky of the Dublin Hebrew Congregation whispering in his ear.

The archives date as far back as 1555 (when most Irish Jews were Sephardim from Spain). However, most today are Ashkenazim whose ancestors came from Lithuania and other bordering countries in the 1870s. Many a time, unscrupulous captains and port agents who sold tickets deceived them saying it was the United States and not knowing the English language disembarked in Cork thinking it was New York. “America’s loss was Ireland’s gain,” he says. This conglomerate of East European individuals settled in the area of Dublin which would be dubbed Little Jerusalem. Today, their descendants have emigrated to almost every country in the world, notably the UK, Israel and the US. Others live in Australia, Canada and as far away as Vietnam. Get thej.ca a Pro Israel Voice by Email. Never miss a top story that effects you, your family & your community

The records have much detail from birthplace, place of burial to schools they attended. From a high of 4,500 in the 1950s to less than 500 individuals nowadays in Dublin, Belfast and Cork. There are 6 congregations, 2 have no shul. He has compiled 22 volumes of information in the National Archives and the Genealogical Society of Ireland of which he is currently President. The Irish Jewish Museum also has copies. All of these highlight the importance of his research. “Maybe in 100 years, someone may look for my ancestry – from my father’s side they come from Zarnow, Poland and my mother’s in Akmene, Lithuania,” Rosenblatt adds. So, his task on writing Irish Jewish genealogy is simply something that grew thanks to much dedication. He requests those of Irish Jewish descent to come forth if they have information that would add to these important records that connect families with their ancestral ties. “They will receive an outline of the family tree in return,” he says. The website is and he can be reached directly via srosenblatt@irishjewishroots.com