I was delighted to participate in this in-depth, far-reaching conversation with the talented and insightful editor of @DerVeker, who insisted on asking a lot of hard questions. How’s your Yiddish?

Good morning fellow students of Jewish History! In a few hours we’ll premiere a video on a topic that receives very little attention in Jewish history: the experience of Jews in the Byzantine Empire. Just a brief video for now (12m), but I hope to expand it in the print version. Join me for a…

Good morning fellow students of Jewish history. In a few hours we will begin Shabbat Hazon, marking the last transition to Tisha B’Av, the most tragic day in the Jewish calendar. As in previous years, I hope to lecture on the history of the Roman-Jewish war that resulted in the destruction of the Temple. This…

I wasn’t surprised that YouTube censored my recent video as “Hate Speech.” It’s happened before.

King Herod Comes to Power Part One of The Jewish Encounter with Rome series Chapter 9: The Birth of Christianity Students registered for the Biblical Jewish history course: please note that the draft text of Chapter 8 (Judea under Rome) is now complete and ready for your comments. The introduction to Chapter 9: The Birth…

The Jewish Encounter with Rome Lectures resume Wednesday, September 7 at 7:30 pm ET, at the Young Israel of Lawrence-Cedarhurst. Free and open to the community. The live Zoom webcast will be available to YILC members and members of my YouTube Channel at the Colleague level (sorry, some of material is a little too challenging…

“The Defeat of the Temerity of the Jews” A closer look at a remarkable painting that depicts the persecution of a specific Jewish family in post-Expulsion Italy. New Lecture Series Begins September 7 Chapter 8: Judaea Under Roman Rule updated

My father believed in the power of personal transformation. I wrote this book in his memory. My Father: A Tribute My father, Jack David Abramson of blessed memory, was a man of compassion and integrity. Born in 1928 to Jewish immigrants from Lithuania, he lived his entire life in the small milling community of Ansonville,…

New Course: The Jewish Encounter with Rome Begins Wednesday, September 7, with live in-person audience at Young Israel of Lawrence-Cedarhurst and via Zoom. Details to follow. Join us! Jewish Self-Censorship in early Printing Recommended Reading for Rosh Hodesh Elul

Moneylending, Used Clothing, et cetera: The Strange Economy of the Venice Ghetto Tisha B’Av at Young Israel of Lawrence-Cedarhurst with Rabbi Ya’akov Trump and Rabbi Ashi Schreier Maimonides on Teshuvah: 10th Edition Now Available, order in time for Elul Bonus video: my son Boaz, a marine science student at Stonybrook University, documents his summer research…

A remarkable self-portrait of an unusual Italian scholar This brief video is offered on the occasion of my father’s yahrzeit.

Sadly, another Tisha B’Av. Kinot with Rabbi Zev Goldberg in Fort Lee. The Roman Conquest of Jerusalem Why do we Mourn Today? Webinar with Rabbi Ya’akov Trump and Rabbi Ashie Schreier of YILC Monday: Rabbi Leone da Modena and the Struggle with Addiction in 17th c. Venice

Tisha B’Av webinar with Rabbi Ya’akov Trump and Rabbi Ashie Schreier of YILC Establishment of the Ghetto in Venice Tisha B’Av in Fort Lee, NJ

Proud to have worked with Unpacked on this complex topic. The Halbturn Amulet and what it means for the early history of Jews in central Europe Hopefully no Tisha B’av this year, but just in case.

Visiting French memorials to Jews who fell in World War I and II (11am ET) Tonight at 7pm: Josephus and Jewish Identity, With Rabbi Ya’akov Trump Experimental livestream for channel members.

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…