Really looking forward to meeting this community!

Lectures in Jewish History and Thought. No hard questions, please.




Recording of Live Lecture The Jews of Arles, France

Please join me for a discussion of this 16th c. Kabbalistic Work

The Miraculous Revival of the Middelburg Synagogue What is the Meaning of the Bleeding Pelican? A Remarkable Moment in an Antwerp Synagogue A Gute Herring!
This 17th century Dutch Jewish Financier gives the BEST Stock Tips!

Mock Trial held at the Jewish National Retreat Unpacked Riffs on the Golem A Thousand Years of Ashkenaz: 19 Videos Added! Click here to register for this online course! Get Ready for Elul with Maimonides on Teshuvah Click here to order your copy! Now on sale for Elul.

The Ashkenazi Migration to Eastern Europe Jewish Hero Saves 600 Children in Nazi-Occupied Amsterdam Tom Metcalfe on Elephants in Medieval Art in National Geographic Really honored to be interviewed for this fascinating National Geographic piece on the depictions of elephants in medieval art. Here’s the link to the article, although you might need to subscribe……

The Life of the original Nazi Hunter The Expulsion of the Jews from Medieval Ashkenaz The Roman-Jewish Wars, 66-135 CE Join me at the National Jewish Retreat! Really pleased to be joining a tremendous roster of speakers in Palm Springs this month for the National Jewish Retreat! Please click here for more information.

Surprisingly insightful look at the nature of Jewish humor At first I was concerned that this was released during the 9 Days, but it actually has a lot of relevance to this sad time of the year. Very proud–as always–to have had a small role in putting this together with the remarkable team at Unpacked….…

A Fascinating and Influential Movement in Medieval Ashkenaz Unpacked on a Morally Challenging Topic in American History


A brief sampling of some of the humiliations of exile that the Jewish people endured over their millennial exile, shocking yet overshadowed by the far greater tragedies of violent massacres. Lecture delivered on the 17th of Tammuz, on Zoom and live at the Young Israel of Lawrence-Cedarhurst. Premiere with live chat scheduled for Sunday, July……

Hello students of Jewish history! I am very pleased to let you know that we now have a very auspicious number of students in this new experimental online course, A Thousand Years of Ashkenaz. I know some of them from earlier interactions on YouTube and in selected classes, and it promises to be a lively……

Hello fellow students of Jewish history! Here’s a new experimental online course. Please click here for a look at what’s going on: A Thousand Years of Ashkenaz.
Last of a three-part series looking at the major Jewish intellectual movements of the 18th century.

Premiering today, hopefully with live chat, at 12pm ET (New York time). Here’s part 1 if you want to catch up or even review.
First in a three-part series looking at the major Jewish intellectual movements of the 18th century. Guest lecture at Beth Jacob Congregation, Beverly Hills CA, delivered April 21, 2021.
Two brief discussions, concluding the second of three semesters of the Jewish History Lab series of lectures. Premiering at 12 pm ET, hopefully with live chat. Enjoy in good health!
The Purpose of Atheism: A brief thought from my Rabbi relevant to Renewal: A Comprehensive Resource for Kidney Donors and Recipients, which is in the last day of its major fundraising drive. Please contribute! https://campaigns.causematch.com/renewal/8464
Brief overview of the experience of Jews in Catholic Spain from the 13th century through the expulsion of 1492. Premieres at 12pm ET (New York time) today. Join us for a live chat!

Some background to my wife’s altruistic kidney donation two years ago on Erev Yom Kippur. You can help! Click here to support kidney donation through Renewal.

Some historical thoughts on recent usage of the word “pogrom” to describe the current situation in some Israeli cities. Thanks to JTA Editors Philissa Cramer and Andrew Silow-Carroll for shaping the article.

Two brief discussions of the history of women in the Medieval period, 12 pm ET (New York Time) with live chat. Join us!


