Henry Abramson

The Jewish History Lab lecture series resumes with live, in-person meetings at Young Israel of Lawrence-Cedarhurst on Wednesday nights at 7:30 pm. Free and open to the community! Zoom link available to YILC members and their guests. YouTube Channel members (Colleagues): please check your Community Tab for the link.

Six brief videos chronicling the 2021 journey with Kosher Riverboat Cruises up the Douro River to Salamanca, Spain and back through Portugal. A wonderful fantastic look at the rich history of Jews in the Iberian Peninsula, from the earliest settlement in Roman colonies (possibly earlier!) through the Visigoths, then the brief but brilliant Golden AgeContinue reading “Jews and Crypto-Jews in Spain and Portugal (premiers at 12 noon ET)”

A brief discussion of the sudden rise of Kabbalistic study in 16th century Safed (Tsfat, Tsfas).

Today at 12:30 pm ET: a brief discussion of the stage of Jewish religious/literary activity that began in the 16th century, collectively known as the period of the Aharonim (the latter ones, distinguishing them from the Rishonim, or earlier ones).

Good morning fellow students of Jewish history! Join me at 1pm today for a brief discussion of the medieval origins of the once large Jewish population of Poland and Eastern Europe.

Please join us for a brief (24m) discussion of the first century of the Sephardic diaspora. Wishing everyone a blessed New Year!

Is it possible that the classic works of the Jewish ethical tradition are literary reactions to personal crises? Can we approach the great works of Maimonides, Rabbi Moshe Cordovero, Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatto and others as strong responses to devastating reversals in their personal lives? Please join me at 12pm (ET, New York Time) forContinue reading “Mussar in Jewish History: Crisis and Resurgence?”

GM–Join me today at 12 noon ET (New York Time) for a premiere and live chat on the origins of the Jews of India.