The Jews of Bukhara (Sunday in Denver); the Maimonidean Controversy; Save the Date for Roslyn NY
Really looking forward to speaking to the Or Avner community in Aurora, CO!

The Maimonidean Controversy
Save the Date: Shabbaton in Roslyn NY, December 20-21

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Today at 1pm: The Threat of Haskalah
Last of a three-part series looking at the major Jewish intellectual movements of the 18th century.
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Hasidim, Mitnagdim, Maskilim Pt 2: The Challenge of Hasidism (12 Noon ET)
Premiering today, hopefully with live chat, at 12pm ET (New York time). Here’s part 1 if you want to catch up or even review.
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Hasidim, Mitnagdim, Maskilim: Part 1 premieres today at 12 noon ET
First in a three-part series looking at the major Jewish intellectual movements of the 18th century. Guest lecture at Beth Jacob Congregation, Beverly Hills CA, delivered April 21, 2021.
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Jews in the Land of Israel, 132-1492 and How did the Jews Survive the Medieval Period?
Two brief discussions, concluding the second of three semesters of the Jewish History Lab series of lectures. Premiering at 12 pm ET, hopefully with live chat. Enjoy in good health!
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The Purpose of Atheism
The Purpose of Atheism: A brief thought from my Rabbi relevant to Renewal: A Comprehensive Resource for Kidney Donors and Recipients, which is in the last day of its major fundraising drive. Please contribute! https://campaigns.causematch.com/renewal/8464
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Jews in Catholic Spain, Conversos, and the Inquisition
Brief overview of the experience of Jews in Catholic Spain from the 13th century through the expulsion of 1492. Premieres at 12pm ET (New York time) today. Join us for a live chat!
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Kidneys in Jewish Thought and History
Some background to my wife’s altruistic kidney donation two years ago on Erev Yom Kippur. You can help! Click here to support kidney donation through Renewal.
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Can we use the word “pogrom” in Israel?
Some historical thoughts on recent usage of the word “pogrom” to describe the current situation in some Israeli cities. Thanks to JTA Editors Philissa Cramer and Andrew Silow-Carroll for shaping the article.
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Women in Medieval Jewish History
Two brief discussions of the history of women in the Medieval period, 12 pm ET (New York Time) with live chat. Join us!
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Medieval Jew-Hatred in Historical Context (Blood Libel and Host Desecration)
After a brief overview placing the medieval period in historical context, we look more deeply at two especially noxious false charges: the Blood Libel and Desecration of the Host.
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Jews in the Medieval Economy
A look at the role of Jews in the medieval European economy, with emphasis on trade and finance. Premiering today at 1pm ET (New York Time) with live chat.
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This Sunday: Honor our Community’s Kidney Donors
Please join us this Sunday for an outdoor gathering honoring our community’s heroic kidney donors.
The Jews of Bukhara (Denver, CO); The Jews of the Lesser Antilles; Varieties of Crypto-Jewish Identity; Wait, Alexander Hamilton was Jewish?
Looking forward to a wonderful Shabbat in the Denver Jewish community!

Our Itinerary of Discovery in the Western Caribbean
Channel Members
Premiering at 10am ET
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Faculty Colloquium Invitation
Videoconference link: Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android: https://zoom.us/j/7186385458 Or iPhone one-tap (US Toll): +14086380968,7186385458# or +16465588656,7186385458# Or Telephone: Dial: +1 408 638 0968 (US Toll) or +1 646 558 8656 (US Toll) Meeting ID: 718 638 5458 International numbers available: https://zoom.us/zoomconference?m=30Usrg3JHXCdvXk7rk3huvZeSoE2JRQ9 RSVP Here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/touro-college-avenue-j-faculty-colloquium-dr-henry-abramson-tickets-32120484233
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Who Was Saadia Gaon? LettersFlyingFree Part III
Responding to the attraction of Islamic philosophy to Jews living in Muslim lands, Sa’adia composed a highly influential work in the 10th-century Kalam style that influenced generations of thinkers. A pugnacious and principled thinker, he engaged in several heated debates with politically powerful rivals including David ben Zakkai, who forced Sa’adia into exile. When ben…
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Who Was Joshua?
The Bible describes how the Jewish people, emerging from Egyptian servitude and decades of wandering in the Sinai desert, followed Joshua’s military leadership to conquer the Land of Israel and establish the ancient foundations of their Torah-centered society. This lecture will survey the archeological and historical record to understand the larger context of the Biblical…
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Who Was Rav Kook?
Mystic and early Zionist, Rabbi Avraham Isaac Kook’s challenging and eclectic philosophy has inspired generations of Jews since his passing in 1935. Often misunderstood, Rav Kook’s role as one of the principal Rabbinic figures of the era was foundational for establishing a religious ideology for the the modern, secular and democratic state of Israel.
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Who Was Emma Goldman?
“If I can’t dance to it, it isn’t my revolution!” A fiery orator and fearless iconoclast, Emma Goldman was one of the most notorious and controversial left-wing thinkers of turn-of-the 20th century America.
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Who Was Franz Kafka?
Titled “poet of shame and guilt” by a recent biographer, Franz Kafka’s early twentieth-century writings have challenged generations of readers worldwide. Inspired in part by his early infatuation with his Jewish background, his haunting and opaque tales continued to be studied as statements of the modern condition.
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Who Was Janusz Korczak?
Heroic pioneer of modern educational theory, Henryk Goldszmit (who wrote under the pen name Janusz Korzcak) ran an orphanage in the beleaguered Warsaw Ghetto, ultimately accompanying his youthful charges to the gas chambers of Treblinka.
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Who Was the Chazon Ish?
Widely regarded as one of the most brilliant experts in Jewish law of the twentieth century, the Chazon Ish played a major role in the development of the modus vivendi between secular and religious Israelis.
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Who Was Elie Wiesel?
Elie Wiesel was a Nobel laureate for literature and a relentless champion of human rights. His best known work is Night, based on his experiences in the Holocaust.
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Who Was Abraham?
Named in the Torah as “the father of many peoples,” Abraham the Patriarch is revered by Jews, Christians and Muslims as the original proponent of monotheism. This lecture will survey what the archeological and historical record reveals about the demographic, economic, and cultural environment in Israel when the Patriarchs and Matriarchs walked the land.
Visits to Synagogues in Bordeaux and Libourne (France); Another Open Letter to Jewish Participants in anti-Israel Protests re: Amsterdam; Conference Presentation on Sheptytsky and WW II
Fantastic Voyage of Discovery with Kosher River Cruises
A Difficult Conversation
Recent Conference Presentation in Toronto
Wait, Christopher Columbus was Jewish? Documentary on Roman-Jewish War now Online
Surprised how much attention this got.
Herod’s Tragic Reign
The Fatal Conflict
How Jewish Culture will Thrive after October 7; The Jews of Al-Andalus Part II
Remarks at Lander College for Men
Maimonides and the Controversy over His Work
Jews under the Visigoths II; The Spanish Golden Age
Public at 10am ET (44 minutes)
Online Courses in Jewish History



New Lecture Series: The Sweep of Sephardic History; Faith in Times of Crisis: Commemorating the Tragedy of October 7
New Lecture Series: The History of Sephardic Jewry


