Really looking forward to meeting this community!

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




A scholar and a fighter, the Hatam Sofer articulated a definition of Orthodoxy for the modern era.

Brief video lecture on the life and work of Isaac of Vienna (c. 1180-c. 1250), author of the important Or Zaru’a.

We begin our discussion of the Jews of the Danube with the question: “Who Was Isaac of Vienna (the Or Zaru’a)?”

Unexpected and unexplained, a phalanx of glass obelisks emerge silently from the earthen mound, punctuating the atmosphere above what appears to be an anonymous tel. Some are transparent, others pebbled and translucent, but all glow with a faint green hue. Unyielding, they stand in rigid formation on the angled surface of the earth. These mute…

When the Hungarians purchased their alphabet, vowels were on sale (also plastic sofa coverings and chandeliers). By the time the Poles came around, all that was left were the consonants. This helps explain why we anglophones are so challenged by both languages: in the case of Hungarian, there are just way too many umlauts and…

Abandoned Nazi trucks were discovered by children playing in the shallows of the diminished Danube.

Hello fellow students of Jewish history! Today our exploration of Jewish heritage along the Danube River valley begins in Budapest, home to one of the largest concentrations of Jews at the turn of the 20th century. I’m really thrilled to be together with so many people who share my passion for the amazing story of…
Part One of The Jews of the Danube series (Fall 2018). Several lectures to be presented live in Europe this month, planning to return to Brooklyn for more live lectures beginning November 5. Enjoy in good health!

This article appeared, in slightly abbreviated form, in today’s Forward. So many colleagues and friends–fellow students of the Rebbe–contributed moving quotations on the Facebook page dedicated to the Rebbe. Laura Adkins’ editorship at the Forward is really great, and the final version is certainly more appropriate for the wider audience. If you would like to…

The Jews of the Danube Fall 2018 Lecture Series Lectures in Europe: October 2018 Lectures in Brooklyn: November-December 2018 From its headwaters in Germany’s Black Forest to its final destination in the Black Sea, the Danube River flows through ten countries and over ten centuries of Jewish history. Great cities like Vienna and Budapest punctuate…


From a recent issue of the Queens Jewish Link (click here to read the full article) Hasidm, Mitnagdim and Maskilim (Lecture delivered at the JLI National Jewish Retreat) Tisha B’Av at Congregation Ahavat Torah, Englewood NJ Coming Soon: Discovering the Crypto-Jews of Portugal
Visiting my ancestral home in Lithuania, first family member in a century

Looking forward to discussing the history of Jerusalem!
Here’s a few notes on the Exodus that you might find useful. Have a wonderful holiday!

Our Annual Charity Campaign begins March 25! The 1642 Synagogue of Tykocin (Tiktin) A Lightning Survey of Russian Jewish History The Guide for the Perplexed: The Fruit of Haste is Regret The Jews of Ashkenaz Lectures

The Decline of Ashkenaz in the High Middle Ages From its Origins to the 20th century Maimonides on Biblical Metaphor

Join us for a live lecture at Touro University, Monday night! Difficult Topic. The Jews of Bukhara

Lecture open to the public! RSVP required Live Zoom link available to YouTube Channel Members, check your Community Tab for the link. The Elders of Kairouan Wondered: Is this guy for real? Jews and Commerce in Medieval Ashkenaz

Monday March 3: Please join me for this public lecture! Today: The Takkanot of Early Ashkenaz Resurgence of Antisemitism after October 7 (Project Witness Conference) Want to learn more?

Very enthused to be speaking at the following Yeshivot in Israel! Contact their offices for details: Second lecture in the History of Ashkenazic Jewry series Maimonides’ Guide for the Perplexed 3. Blockheads are Gonna Block Please join me for these public lectures!

Enjoyed this conversation with President Kadish and Dr. Leiman! Who Were The Mysterious Radhanites? The Remarkable Shem Tov Bible With Dr. Sharon Liberman Mintz, Judaica curator for Southeby’s, at a private viewing of this amazing 14th century Spanish Bible. Eurafrican Jews of the Caribbean


