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?
Interview in Der Veker
Origins of the Jews of China
This is an absolutely fascinating topic, I really enjoyed the research! Please join me for a live chat and video of Jewish Migration Patterns, followed by a longer look at the remarkable history of the Jews of China. Starting at 1pm ET (New York Time).
When is Modern Jewish History?
The History of Jewish-Muslim Relations in the Medieval Period: A Discussion with Paul Williams of Blogging Theology
I enjoyed this conversation. Hope you find it meaningful as well!
Jews in the Byzantine Empire, Elul in Jewish History
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 live chat today!
2. I’m pleased that so many people enjoyed my personal recommendations for Elul reading (video below). I plan to expand on this discussion in a Iive class hosted by Beth Jacob congregation. YouTube channel members (Colleagues) are invited to a live lecture on Wednesday night at 7:30 PT (10:30 New York time), details in the channel announcements.
3. Since many of my students at Touro College are signed up for regular updates, I’d like to remind them of our new vaccine mandate protocols. Here’s a quick video with information on what’s involved.
Have an excellent week!
HMA
Ethical Literature (Mussar) in Jewish History: A Personal Reading List
Good morning fellow students of Jewish history!
Today is the Rosh Hodesh Elul, the beginning of the month of Elul, initiating the annual season of introspection leading up to the High Holidays. I’ve prepared this brief video that surveys some of the most important works of the literary tradition that make up the loosely-organized Mussar Canon. It’s a personal rather than exhaustive list, but I hope you find it useful.
Wishing you all a good Hodesh and a successful period of self-development!
HMA
My lecture on the History of Antisemitism, censored by YouTube, is now back online. Here’s the takeaways.
Join me at 12 noon (ET) for a live chat on this topic.
Here’s the link to the controversial video (my part starts around 41:00).
My Father and Maimonides: A Personal Message
My father passed away on the 11th of Av, seven years ago. I miss him.
Sectarian Infighting and the Fall of Jerusalem: Today at 1pm, 7pm ET
1pm on YouTube (pre-recorded with live chat), 7pm live presentation at Young Israel of Lawrence-Cedarhurst.
Sectarian Infighting and the Fall of Jerusalem: Tisha B’Av lecture for Sunday
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 year–influenced in part by personal experiences–I’ve decided to focus on the topic of Sectarian Infighting and the Fall of Jerusalem. Please join me at 7pm on Sunday for a live presentation at the Young Israel of Lawrence-Cedarhurst. For those of you who are unable to make that time and place, please join me for a YouTube premiere of this lecture at 1pm ET, which was previously recorded with a small number of Colleagues (the video will be available at 1pm).
This year we continue to commemorate Tisha B’Av–may we one day merit to celebrate it together in a peaceful Jerusalem.
Wishing you all a Shabbat Shalom,
HMA
Henry Abramson 