The first in a series of twelve lectures delivered at The Ashkenazium of Budapest. Join us at 11:00 am (New York time) for a premiere and live chat. The last four lectures will be delivered on Monday and Tuesday: sign up for free registration at http://www.bit.ly/ASHKENAZ2022. The Jews and D-Day Did you know that some…

Join me for a discussion of the economic, social, political and religious background of the violent Khmel’nyts’kyi Uprising of 1648-49. Trigger warning: some cherished, yet incorrect, stereotypes may be challenged. Video with live chat.

With gratitude to The Ashkenazium and its Dean, Dr. Michael Chighel, I am pleased to offer twelve lectures on the history of Jews in Ashkenaz to the global audience. Please visit http://www.bit.ly/ASHKENAZ2022 to register for free! Can’t make the live classes? No problem. Sign up for the course I put together to prepare my Hungarian…

Twelve lectures on the history of the Jews of Ashkenaz! Woo-hoo!

Twelve Lectures on the Jews of Ashkenaz (Free Registration) With gratitude to Dean Michael Chighel of The Ashkenazium of Budapest, my new series of lectures on the history of the Jews of Ashkenaz will be open to the global community of students of Jewish history via webinar. Please visit http://www.bit.ly/ASHKENAZ2022 for details and registration. Lectures…

A brief discussion of the election of Volodomyr Zelensky in the larger context of Ukrainian-Jewish history. Recorded on March 4, 2022 with hope for a speedy return to peace for Ukraine and its people.

My grandfather died, suddenly, on the rarest date of the year: March 3, 1957, which coincides with today, the 30th of Adar Rishon. It’s a leap year date that only appears seven times in the nineteen-year cycle of the Hebrew calendar. Following our Lithuanian Jewish custom, we observe his death anniversary on the 1st of…

I recorded this video just hours before the Russian invasion of Ukraine, motivated by Mr. Putin’s bizarre speech denying the historical legacy of the Ukrainian people.

This brief video provides a survey of the long Jewish presence in the region, framed in the context of maps: political, ethnolinguistic, military and social.

Very pleased to welcome the 100th student to my new online class on the Holocaust, free and open to the community. When Was the Book of Esther Written? New video available to students registered for the Biblical Jewish History course, and YouTube channel members at the Researcher and Colleague level.

Join us today at 11:00 am ET (New York Time) for a discussion of the implications of Digital Learning for Torah and Torah-adjacent study. Rabbi Schwed is the visionary director of multiple initiatives for the Orthodox Union, including the revolutionary All Daf app, also All Mishnah and All Parsha. Click here to RSVP for the…

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!

Proud parent: Aryeh running to support ADI Negev Very proud of our son Aryeh, raising funds to support the Respiratory Therapy and Hydrotherapy programs at ADI Negev, an institute that celebrates Ability, promotes Diversity and insists on Inclusion. Join us in supporting his worthy efforts! Please click here for more information: https://adi-il.org/campaign/aryeh-abramson/ How did Jews get to Africa…

Ach, here we go again. Who is a Jew, anyway? Join me for a discussion of the long history of Jewish communities of color, beginning with some historical observations relating to the current version of the perennial “Who is a Jew” debate. Register for free at https://bit.ly/JEWSOFCOLOR. The Genetic History of Ashkenazi Jews Related, strangely,…

What happens when two young Jewish history nerds start to schmooze? This. Visiting the Jewish Community of Mexico City Upcoming Lectures Brief discussion with Dr. Daniel Fainstein, Dean of Jewish Studies at Universidad Hebraica (in English)

Join us Wednesday Night (7:30 pm) at Young Israel of Lawrence-Cedarhust Interview with Dr. Daniel Fainstein of the Universidad Ebraíca, Mexico City I recently spent several days in Mexico City getting to know this fascinating community (more video forthcoming!). Here’s a conversation I had with my colleague Daniel Fainstein, Dean of Jewish Studies at Universidad…

Explora tu Judaísmo at Limmud Mexico this Shabbat! Very honored to share the stage with James Carroll, author of the National Book Award-winning Constantine’s Sword this coming Shabbat at Limmud Mexico. Our joint keynote address will focus on the topic of “Jews in the Christian Mind; Christians in the Jewish Mind.” I’ll be speaking on…

Fascinating Jewish History in Venice! Yahrzeit of the Piaseczno Rebbe (Aish Kodesh) Meaningful People Podcast Interview Thanks to all who have sent kind words about the podcast version of this interview. I thought it went well, here’s the YouTube version.