Three Reflections on the Meaning of Judaea Capta in Jewish History
Honored to be meeting the unique congregation I’ve heard so much about, led by Rabbi Benjamin Goldschmidt and Rebbitzen Avital Chizik-Goldschmidt. I plan to offer three lectures on aspects of captivity in Jewish history, looking at the very different biographies of Josephus, Rabbi Kalonymus Kalmish Shapiro, and Uriel D’Acosta. RSVP is required, please visit https://thealtneu.org/home for details.
Jews and World War I: A Visit to the Somme Battlefield
A brief (12m) video version of my recent article on Aish.com. The draft book chapters are in Biblical Jewish History course. A complex figure! I spend a lot of time thinking about him and his work.
I gave this series of talks last week in Teaneck and managed to duck most of the hard questions (phew). Not so sure I will get off so easily in Fair Lawn! Please join us.
SCHOLAR-IN-RESIDENCE WITH DR. HENRY ABRAMSON
Parshat Shlach, June 24-25 Sponsored by: -Eve Thaler for the yarzheit of her husband, David Thaler z”l -Jon and Ahuva Lamm for the yahrzeit of Jon’s grandfather, Rabbi Maurice Lamm Rav Moshe ben Meir Shmuel -Chavi and Ari Diamond Theme: “What is the Meaning of Jewish History?” All lectures are cumulative in nature, but can be appreciated on their own. Friday Night Lecture at 9:15 p.m.: “Wrong Answers Only- Josephus and the Roots of Jewish History” Shabbat Morning Drasha Shabbat Afternoon at 5:15 p.m.: “Probably Not What You Think- David Gans and the Idea of Parallel History” Shabbat Evening between Mincha and Maariv: “Now We’re Getting Somewhere- Cecil Roth and Covenantal History”
I spoke about him at a recent Shabbaton in Teaneck, and someone from the UK was in the audience: Dr. Roth pronounced his first name SEH-sil, not SEE-sil. If I had realized this when I made the video I would have used the English pronunciation rather than the American.
Very honored to be serving as a Scholar-in-Residence at Congregation B’nai Yeshurun. Three new lectures on “What is the Meaning of Jewish History?” will examine at the Ancient, Medieval and Modern periods with a view to understanding some of the complexities of interpreting the fascinating, profound history of the Jewish people.
Judging from past experience in Teaneck, I’m preparing myself for some hard questions (yikes). Here’s a fun trailer and details on the lectures.
The Blois Incident of 1171
A tragedy that is still remembered a thousand years later by French communities.
Introduction to Volume 1 of The Jewish People: A History
Students in the online Biblical Jewish History course: please log in to access a new module that includes the draft of the Introduction to Volume 1. Chapter Seven is also updated. I’m looking forward to reading your comments!
Please join us at the Young Israel of Lawrence-Cedarhurst for a remarkable series of classes in Jewish history! We’re starting at midnight and learning all night till dawn prayers.
In keeping with our theme this year of “Transformation: Personal, Communal, Global,” I’ve chosen to look at the biographies of several key figures in Jewish history and thought whose lives revolved around moments of dramatic transformation: the biblical King Josiah, the Roman-Jewish historian Josephus, the 13th century Rabbenu Yonah, and the 20th-century philosopher Franz Rosenzweig.
Rabbi Ya’akov Trump is teaching a fantastic series of classes alongside my own, and we’re getting together in the middle of the night to team-teach an examination of the Barcelona Disputation and its impact on the personal transformation of Nachmanides. Here’s the schedule:
This promises to be a fantastic night of discussion and ideas–I’m looking forward to my own personal transformation, culminating in dawn prayers! If you’re in town, please feel free to join us.
Chapter Seven of The Jewish People: A History going online
Very excited to be receiving comments and feedback on the first volume of The Jewish People: A History as it appears, draft chapter by draft chapter, in the Biblical Jewish history course. We are nearing the crucial first century, so dramatic in the millennial history of the Jewish people. If you’d like to read these early chapters and contribute to the success of the overall project, please consider joining us in the course!
With this lecture, the online course A Thousand Years of Ashkenaz is now complete! Twelve Modules and 56 lessons in length (mostly videos). Enjoy in good health!
Over 200 pages of draft text are now available to students in the Biblical Jewish History course. My publisher’s due date is fast approaching, and –I’m really appreciating the feedback from students! I anticipate we should have the entire first volume, Biblical Israel, ready for submission to the team at Koren Publishers by the end of the summer.
We’re really proud that 45 donors have helped my wife Ilana and I in our drive to raise $3,600 for Renewal this year: we have exceeded that goal, but the website is still open! You still have an opportunity to perform this incomparable mitsvah of saving a human life by supporting kidney donations.
Formally emancipated in 1790-91, the rights of Jews as citizens were challenged a decade later.
In his typically grandiose fashion, Napoleon addressed the question by reconvening the ancient Great Sanhedrin and asked the Jews of France twelve basic questions.
The Holocaust in Ashkenaz
Part 11 of The Ashkenazium Lectures, premieres today at 12:00 noon ET.
Chapter Six of The Jewish People: A History now online for class members
On schedule to have the entire draft of Volume 1 online by the end of the Summer!
THANK YOU for supporting kidney donations!
On behalf of my wife Ilana, I want to thank you all for supporting our annual fundraiser for Renewal! With your participation we actually exceeded our goal again this year.
Henry Abramson 