I am a native of Detroit, Michigan… and attended the University of Florida in Gainesville and Mary Washington College in Fredericksburg, Virginia graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Historic Preservation. My work career has been in the fields of archive management, genealogy, history research, writing and architectural photography & documentation. These subjects have fascinated me for as long as I can remember and attribute much of this to being raised by immigrant Holocaust Survivor parents and grandparents. They instilled in me the importance of an awareness and appreciation of the past. I currently live in Pennsylvania’s capital city, Harrisburg and have lived in the Mid Atlantic Region since 1984. My work experience includes Project Archivist and Library Processor at the Presbyterian Historical Society in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Archivist for the Jewish Historical Society of Delaware in Wilmington, Delaware, Professional Genealogist, Researcher & Author.
My published books include:
+The Synagogues of Eastern Pennsylvania: A Visual Journey (Fonthill Media/Arcadia Publishing (2018)
+America’s Pioneer Jewish Congregations: Architecture, Community & History (Fonthill Media 2017)
+The Synagogues of Central & Western Pennsylvania: A Visual Journey (Fonthill Media 2014)
+Jewish West Virginia (Arcadia Publishing 2010)
+The Historic Synagogues of Philadelphia & The Delaware Valley (The History Press 2008)
My articles have appeared in a variety of newspapers and newsletters around the country. Through my archival work I have also created numerous historical displays and exhibits. Click HERE if you would like a more detailed list of my work over the years. Click HERE for my full bio.
© 2009-2026 Julian H. Preisler