Program Description:

Explore the trades that were the heartbeat of shtetl life. What roles did tailors, shoemakers, and merchants play, and what hidden skills did they master? What professions were respected and which jobs were “less desirable”? How did economic shifts threaten age-old trades? Explore some rare, unfamiliar crafts that played a part in the shtetl economy. From rich to poor, young to old, each person had a role, a skill, a purpose, allowing Jewish communities to thrive even amid challenges. Whether your ancestors worked with their hands, ran a business, or passed down a craft, you’ll walk away with a deeper connection to their world and a richer understanding of the trades that shaped Jewish history.

Speaker Bio:

Evgenia Kempinski, originally from St. Petersburg, Russia, later Israel, and now Spain has been an official tour guide to Russia and the Baltic states for over 15 years and now covers Barcelona and Catalonia as well. Her Online Jewish Travel Club offers virtual tours dedicated to Jewish history and culture in the Diaspora. She seeks to unite Jews from different countries through love of travel and art, and an appreciation of Jewish Heritage. Evgenia has lectured extensively and has been well-received during her previous presentations to JGSGB.