Really looking forward seeing my friends at YILC!

Lectures in Jewish History and Thought. No hard questions, please.





Good morning fellow students of Jewish history. Please join me today for a discussion of the implications of postmodernism and the digital age in the XIV Torah and Science conference, held virtually at this link. My presentation is at 1:45 PM ET, the conference program is below. I hope to release a recording later, but…

Sunday Premiering today at 12pm ET: Jewish Migration to the New World. Following up on the previous Jewish History Lab video on the Origins of the Jews in the New World, this brief video will survey the major waves of Jewish migration in the 18th-20th centuries. Tuesday Final lecture in the three-part series entitled Hasidim,…

Strange but true: Jewish sources largely ignored the history of Chanukah until the 10th century! Here’s a quick review of the major works, and how they affected the Jewish memory of this remarkable period in Jewish history. Here’s a few Sefaria links to texts mentioned in the video: Relevant section of Talmud, Tractate Shabbat Megilat…

Review of Reuven Melekh ben Binyamin Yitzhak Schwartz, Emek Ha-Sufganim: Iyunim u-beiurim be-inyan minhag akhilat sufganim be-yemei hanukah Israel: Sh. Vaynraikh, Hanukah 5780 (2019), 431 pages. For a copy, please contact your local Jewish bookseller or the phone numbers listed on the copyright page: (718) 253-2804; (516) 581-3597; (718) 501-3165. Interested in studying more deeply?…

The Misnagdim Strike Back! Part II of the series on Hasidim, Mitnagdim and Maskilim: The Formation of Jewish Identity. Open to the Community at Beit Midrash of Teaneck, 70 Sterling Place, Teaneck NJ. Tuesday, November 30 at 11:45 am. Please write BMTeaneck@gmail.com for Zoom links. Take your learning to the next level: try a course!

We begin with 23 bedraggled refugees from the Inquisition, sailing into the harbor of what would become New York.
Three live lectures at Beit Medrash of Teaneck, 70 Sterling Avenue, Teaneck NJ 07666. Tuesdays November 23, November 30, and December 7. 11:45 AM ET. Please write BMTeaneck@gmail.com for Zoom information.

A brief look at the life and times of one of the most notorious false messiahs of Jewish history.

The Torah and Science Conference will be virtual this year, please visit http://www.torahscienceconference.org for details. I’m looking forward to speaking on “Artificial Intelligence and Artificial Wisdom: Postmodernism and the Digital Age,” Thursday December 9 at 1:45 pm ET. Join our class! Click here for course information and registration.

On the one hand, Maimonides and later Chabad traditions. On the other hand, some archaeological examples. Here’s a brief look at what we know. Now online! A new course in Biblical Jewish History. Check it out here, and join us!

Really thrilled to have so many people sign up for this new online course! If it interests you, please click here to check out the syllabus, and join us!
If only it were over so quickly. My part of a Kristallnacht commemoration at YILC. Warning: some graphic images.


Really thrilled to meet the Queens Jewish Center community! Please come by and say hello if you’re in town. Very honored by this invitation from the History, Classics and Religion Graduate Students Association of the University of Alberta! Please join us in person (if you’re in Edmonton, eh?) or via Zoom (RSVP at http://www.bit.ly/JEWISHUK1000). Channel…

The Ambassador warned the King: “Pay Lopo Ramirez on time.” Was there a Jewish Dark Age? Exploring some Fascinating Archaeological Finds Welcome New Students! Draft Text of Volume 1 Included in the Biblical Jewish History course: please send me your feedback! Shabbos in Queens! Come by and say hello.

Forthcoming from Koren Publishers, Jerusalem The Jewish People A History Second Draft February 5, 2023 Forthcoming from Koren Publishers, Jerusalem Henry Abramson DRAFT: Please do not reproduce or circulate. Copyright Henry Abramson 2023 Volume One: Biblical Israel (1760 BCE to 200 CE) Introduction Bibliographic Essay: On Covenantal History Photo Credits Acknowledgments Imagine that, while browsing…

This is a really fascinating topic. Here’s a brief follow-up presentation related to The Jews of Africa lecture. Enjoy in good health! Was there a Jewish Dark Age? A “studio” version–meaning a recording of me talking into my iMac–is forthcoming, once I have a few moments to concentrate. For now, here’s the unedited/uncensored recording of…

Final Episode of Season One, and it’s PHENOMENAL. I feel so honored to have worked with this amazing team at Unpacked on the Jewish History Unpacked podcast. We are thrilled that it has received such a positive response, ranking #1 in Judaism podcasts for the first few weeks and remaining in the top ten ever…

Can’t wait to discuss this fascinating but little-studied period of Jewish history! Yael and Schwab discuss the tragic story of Uriel D’acosta in this amazing episode of Jewish History Unpacked The Saga of Dutch Jewry Really pleased to speak to some of my amazing Touro University students at the Yeshiva of South Florida last week!…

Join us for this free webinar! Speaking in Miami this Shabbos: Please drop by and say hello if you’re on Williams Island! Paul of Tarsus (aka St. Paul) Schwab and Yael explore this fascinating topic that is, believe it or not, a big part of Jewish history!

The Saga of Dutch Jewry (live webinar: please join us!) Premiering at Noon ET. Class delivered to The Habura in London A Tribute to Professor Michael Marrus ע׳׳ה from a Student

Some personal memories and appreciation of Professor Michael Marrus, a master instructor who taught at the University of Toronto for 49 years.

What an amazing history! Who Were the Radhanites? The Hebrew Hammer: The True Story of Hanukkah The Synagogue and the Church Emergent (Jewish Encounter with Rome series)
If you’re in the neighborhood of Shaarei Shomayim, please come by on Saturday or Sunday morning, would be nice to say hi.

Students of Daf Yomi! This one’s for you. Who are the Jews of Africa? Join me for Shabbat at Shaarei Shomayim, Toronto!