Runaway Yeshiva Bochur’s Work May Aid COVID Research

Runaway Yeshiva Bochur’s Work May Aid COVID Research The Jewish Star (March 24, 2021) Shortly after emigrating to Israel in 1901, this Telz-educated orphaned son of a rosh yeshiva earned an unlikely nickname: “the crazy fly-catcher.” Israel Aharoni’s odyssey into the world of middle eastern zoology, long recognized in the scientific world with over 30Continue reading “Runaway Yeshiva Bochur’s Work May Aid COVID Research”

The Jews of Egypt after the Exodus, and the Third Plague

A brief overview of the history of Jewish life in Egypt. After looking briefly at the Exodus itself, we look at some major population centers in Elephantine, Alexandria, and Cairo, to the present day. To avoid any possible confusion: this lecture does not argue for continuity between the Jewish population described in the account ofContinue reading “The Jews of Egypt after the Exodus, and the Third Plague”

The Geonim of Baghdad and the Origins of the Jews of North Africa (today at noon New York time)

A brief look at the social and economic background of the post-Talmudic era in Baghdad, with an important digression into the 8th-10th century revolution in information technology that helped propel the authority and influence of the Geonim. The following video will look at the early history of North Africa, an area influenced by their scholarshipContinue reading “The Geonim of Baghdad and the Origins of the Jews of North Africa (today at noon New York time)”

The Jews of Africa #BlackHistoryMonth

Preliminary remarks on the study of the Jews in Africa, followed by The Jews of Ethiopia (origins to 1862). Premiering today at 12 noon ET. Note: for some reason this particular topic attracts an unusual amount of inappropriate commentary. Scholarly, collegial discussion is welcomed here; but I intend to remove hateful remarks, and commentators whoContinue reading “The Jews of Africa #BlackHistoryMonth”

Esther as Crypto-Jew: Jewish History, Identity and the Missing 107 Verses from the Book of Esther

Some thoughts on the literary figure of Queen Esther on the eve of the holiday of Purim. Talk originally delivered to members of Project Makom on February 21, 2022. http://www.projectmakom.org

Jews in Visigothic Spain

Jewish History Lab Report February 12, 2021 Jewish History Lab Lectures Scheduled for Next Week (Advance access for YouTube channel members at the Student Level) 49. Early Jewish Settlement in Spain (Scheduled for Sunday @ 1:00 PM ET) 50. Jews in Visigothic Spain (Scheduled for Monday @1:00 PM ET) Researchers: The Amazing Journey of YisraelContinue reading “Jews in Visigothic Spain”

Jews in Late Roman Period, The Convert who Illustrated the Maxwell House Haggadah, and the Tragic Jewish Backstory to yelling “fire” in a theater

Jewish History Lab Report for February 5, 2021. Videos dropping next week (advance viewing for Students now available): Researchers video: Text version at JTA here. Colleagues Live Class on Wednesday: Jews in Visigothic Iberia Other Publications: The German Convert who Illustrated the Maxwell House Haggadah Have an excellent Shabbos! Looking forward to learning more JewishContinue reading “Jews in Late Roman Period, The Convert who Illustrated the Maxwell House Haggadah, and the Tragic Jewish Backstory to yelling “fire” in a theater”