Jewish-Themed Genealogy TV Series ‘Generations’ Set to Premiere on Jewish Life Television

Shiryn Ghermezian

An aerial view of the Museum of Jewish Heritage — A Living Memorial to the Holocaust in New York City. Photo: Gryffindor/Wikimedia.

The first Jewish-themed genealogy television series will air in the fall on Jewish Life Television (JLTV) and is being produced by New York City’s Museum of Jewish Heritage — A Living Memorial to the Holocaust along with its affiliate, the non-profit organization and website JewishGen, and JLTV, it was announced last week.

The show, called Generations, will dive deep in the Jewish lineage of its guests, and “will offer valuable and inspiring insight into family histories and the research it takes to illuminate them, exploring the struggles and accomplishments of those who came before us,” said Jack Kliger, president and CEO of the Museum of Jewish Heritage, in a released statement.

The show’s host will be JLTV Executive Vice President Brad Pomerance, who has previously hosed several award-winning television programs. JLTV is North America’s largest Jewish-themed, English language television network and Promerance said being given the opportunity to host Generations is “one of the most important projects of my career.”

“Discovering one’s family history is a gift and an opportunity to learn more about oneself,” Pomerance explained. “It’s not only where we came from but how the lives of our ancestors shaped who we are today, and how that knowledge could, potentially, change our outlook on life.”

The premiere episode has begun filming and will feature Emmy and Golden Globe award-winning actress Camryn Manheim (Law & Order, The Practice) and her son, actor Milo Manheim (School Spirits, Zombies), as they learn about their Jewish family roots through artifacts including objects, documents and photographs.

The episode will also feature conversations with Camryn’s brother, law professor Karl Manheim, and their 97-year-old mother Sylvia Manheim, who will talk about Camryn and Karl’s maternal and paternal family history.

“Learning about my ancestors and my Jewish heritage holds immense significance for me,” said Camryn. “It allows me to connect with my roots, understand the rich tapestry of my family’s history, and appreciate the unimaginable struggles and triumphs that have shaped my life today. By learning about my ancestors, I am not only honoring their legacy but also gaining a deeper understanding of myself, my identity, and the world around me.”

Milo added that discovering more information about his Jewish ancestry “will provide a deeper understanding of who I am and will further instill a profound sense of pride in my heritage.” He said that by “delving into the past, I will gain insights into the challenges my ancestors faced and the resilience they displayed, inspiring me to embrace my own journey with renewed strength  and determination.”

Th announcement about Generations follows news from the Museum of Jewish Heritage about its plans to establish the Peter and Mary Kalikow Jewish Genealogy Research Center, where visitors will be able to use computer stations to access JewishGen’s genealogy resources as well as the museum’s records and data to learn more about their own Jewish ancestry.