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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Irving Berlin and the Creation of Popular American Culture (This Week in Jewish History)
At this time of year it’s impossible to escape the ubiquitous holiday music that assults us whenever we turn on the radio or walk through a shopping mall. Few listeners are aware, however, that the syrupy, commercialized versions of holiday cheer have their origins in the musical genius of a Jewish immigrant from Siberia, the phenomenal Irving…
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Who Was Aaron of Lincoln? Jewish Biography as History
Reputed to be the wealthiest man in 11th century England–wealthier even than the King–Aaron of Lincoln was a hugely successful moneylender whose achievements included the financing of many cathedrals. His story, while exceptional in terms of scope, is nevertheless instructive of the Jewish experience in the medieval economy as a whole.
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Great Faculty Workshop on Blogging!
Enjoying a great faculty workshop on video blogging with Dr. Stefanie Herron and Dr. Lee Isogai Williams!
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Really excited to be part of Touro College’s Avenue J campus!
Just returned from two intense days meeting with the amazing AvenueJ faculty. Great group of dedicated, enthusiastic experts in their fields with a passion for teaching! Can’t wait to get started working with these really inspirational professors.
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Who was Eldad ha-Dani? Jewish Biography as History by Dr. Henry Abramson
Claiming descent from the long-lost Ten Tribes of Israel, Eldad was a ninth-century traveler with a fantastic story: beyond the “River Kush” lay an intact civilization of Jews who enjoyed political sovereignty, in preparation for their eventual return to the Land of Israel in messianic times. Surviving shipwreck, cannibals and attack from fire-worshipping pagans, Eldad’s…
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Who Was Rabbi Shimon bar Yohai? Jewish Biography as History Dr. Henry Abramson
Emerging from a cave after twelve years of isolated Torah study, Rabbi Shimon Yohai went on to become one of ancient Israel’s most celebrated Kabbalists and leaders of the Jewish people. Dr. Abramson in Print (and eBooks!)
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Who Was Babatha? Jewish Biography as History Dr. Henry Abramson
Rolling her precious documents and carefully wrapping them in a leather pouch tied with twine, Babatha buried her entire legal history in the floor of the cave she shared with Bar Kochba’s rebels. They would remain entombed in that desolate refuge for 1800 years until their discovery by archaeologist Yigael Yadin, and then the life of…
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The Nuremberg Laws of 1935 (This Week in Jewish History) Dr. Henry Abramson
The Nuremberg Laws of 1935 defined, for the purposes of the Nazi regime, exactly who was considered a Jew. This was an essential element in the unfolding of the Holocaust, as the Nuremberg Laws allowed the Nazis to first identify, then exclude, and finally attempt to eliminate Jews from German society. Part of the “This…
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Who Was Bar Kochba? Jewish Biography as History Lecture by Dr. Henry Abramson
“Akiva, grass will grow from your cheeks,” said the talmudic Rabbi Yochanan ben Torta, “and still the messiah will not have come.” A stinging rebuke for the most prominent supporter of Bar Kochba’s would-be messianic leadership of the Jewish people in his 2nd-century rebellion against the Roman oppressors. Who was Bar Kochba, and what did his…
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Who was Salome? Jewish Biography as History lecture by Dr. Henry Abramson
Briefly but notoriously mentioned in both Josephus and the Gospels, Salome was the granddaughter of King Herod who is best known for a salacious performance that resulted in the execution of John the Baptist. Who was Salome, and does her bit part play a significant role in the representation of Jews and Judaism in medieval…
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Who was Rabban Yohanan ben Zakkai? (Jewish Biography as History) Dr. Henry Abramson
Rabban Yohanan ben Zakkai (d. c. 85 ce) was one of the most influential figures in ancient Jewish history. Emerging from the ruins of the destroyed Temple, Rabban Yohanan ben Zakkai led the Jewish people through the dangerous first years after the devastation of the last remnants of their state by the Romans. A disciple…
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Really excited to be invited to present at Limmud Miami 2015!
I’ve been selected as a presenter to speak about my latest book, The Kabbalah of Forgiveness: The Thirteen Levels of Mercy in Rabbi Moshe Cordovero’s Tomer Devorah (The Date Palm of Devorah). Please check out the Limmud’s Facebook Page or website for more information (the full schedule and list of presenters will be live in December). Hope…
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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Rabbi Leone da Modena and the Struggle with Addiction in 17th c. Venice
A remarkable self-portrait of an unusual Italian scholar This brief video is offered on the occasion of my father’s yahrzeit.
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The Roman Conquest of Jerusalem; Tisha B’Av Webinar; Kinot in Fort Lee
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
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Establishment of the Ghetto in Venice; The Roman Destruction of Jerusalem in History and Talmud
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
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Jews and Money; A Roman-Era Amulet of a Jewish Child in Austria; Tisha B’av at YILC
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.
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17th of Tammuz: the Somme (WWI), D-Day (WWII), and meditations on Josephus
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.
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Shabbat at the Altneu; Jews in World War I; Lecture with Rabbi Ya’akov Trump
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…
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Jews of the Seine; the Jewish Street of Rouen
Incredible experiences discovering Jewish history with Kosher Riverboat Cruises.
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Josephus, the Battle of Jotapata (67 CE), and the Birth of Jewish Historiography
Rebel Hero or Roman Traitor? 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.
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Shabbaton in Fair Lawn, NJ
What is the Meaning of Jewish History? 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 24-25Sponsored by:-Eve Thaler for the…
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Who Was Cecil Roth, Historian?
A brief overview of his courageous scholarship. 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…
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The Blois Incident of 1171; Shabbaton in Teaneck; Introduction online and Chapter 7 updated
What is the Meaning of Jewish History? 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…
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
Jewish Resilience After October 7; American Jews, Post-Honeymoon; The Jews of Al-Andalus
Three Strategies
Jews under the Visigoths II; The Spanish Golden Age
Public at 10am ET (44 minutes)
Online Courses in Jewish History
Jewish Life in Visigothic Spain; Commemorating October 7
This is one of the most bizarre periods of Jewish history, and that’s saying a lot.
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
