A brief review of the history from 136 to 638

Deconstructing a slogan and what it means to those who chant it A Pioneering Historian of Portuguese Jewry

Part III Premiers at 10am with Live Chat Parts I and II

Premiering at 10am ET (New York time) The Amazing Career of Duarte De Paz Peer-reviewed The Jewish People: A History now online With gratitude to the hundreds of students of Jewish history who contributed suggestions and edits to the first volume of The Jewish People: A History, and the constructive edits provided by the peer…

Premiering Sunday at 10am EST. Join us for a live chat. The video is currently available to Channel Members for advance viewing.

Students Please RSVP for the Bus to DC What is Islamic Antisemitism? Talking Gaza to Teens (also adults, and also Safed) How did Portuguese Jews Survive the Inquisition?

Sadly, an Evergreen Topic Please join me at Palm Beach Synagogue on Nov 12 for a discussion of Gaza in Jewish History (general lecture and a special session for teens) and a look at 16th century Safed Click here to register. Biblical History Course Updated Many of you followed the Jewish History Lab series of…

A deep and meaningful journey with Kosher Riverboat Cruises.

New lecture in the series Jewish History for Parents and other Teachers of Children This 13th Century Rabbi Refused to be Ransomed from Captivity

A brief overview, from the Bronze Age to the present day

Amazing Example of Jewish Tenacity

Hello fans of Jewish History! Just an important reminder that we will NOT be having a lecture in Brooklyn on Monday, November 14, 2016.  I’ll be returning from Toronto, where I’m serving as a scholar-in-residence at the Westmount Shul and Learning Center.  I’m honored that the paid events are sold out, but guests are welcome…

Mystic and early Zionist, Rabbi Avraham Isaac Kook’s challenging and eclectic philosophy has inspired generations of Jews since his passing in 1935. Often misunderstood, Rav Kook’s role as one of the principal Rabbinic figures of the era was foundational for establishing a religious ideology for the the modern, secular and democratic state of Israel.

If you don’t see the image below, just click on the computer gibberish–it’s worthwhile, I think. https://prezi.com/embed/kav7clixcgsk/?bgcolor=ffffff&lock_to_path=0&autoplay=0&autohide_ctrls=0&landing_data=bHVZZmNaNDBIWnNjdEVENDRhZDFNZGNIUE43MHdLNWpsdFJLb2ZHanI0OUQvUVFudmV5bG9sK3hTY29TMUloYWJ3PT0&landing_sign=u34CgACTn0rcx2HUs61pv1gkchtDedyX2LT9yTgjNRg

Spiritual Leadership in Times of Controversy: Three Rabbinic Portraits Purified in the crucible of bitter opposition, the legacy of these three Rabbis endures despite the dissent that swirled around their major intellectual contributions. Wednesday, November 16 Burning Maimonides Wednesday, November 30 Ramchal and the Sabbatean Legacy Wednesday, December 7 Rav Kook at the Precipice 8:30…

Hello fans of Jewish history! I had a blast meeting with the Flatbush Honor Society students today–twenty-eight highly motivated, superbly acute and brilliant young women who are preparing to CHANGE THE WORLD. They are truly fantastic, and often thank the Almighty for the privilege of working with these young people, along with all my students.…

Norm Robinson, a member of the Friends of Jewish History, sent me this interesting video clip that features Rav Avraham Isaac Kook for the first 23 seconds, along with several other rabbinic and political luminaries. Monday’s lecture promises to be especially fascinating for anyone interested in religious thought and Israeli politics.  Please join us!  Register…

Lecture delivered at the mighty Avenue J campus of Touro College on October 31, 2016 as part of the Jewish History @ J series. Zionist ideologue and multi-lingual journalist, Vladimir (Ze’ev) Jabotinsky was one of the most influential political thinkers of the early twentieth century. Frequently swimming against the tide of dominant Jewish movements, Jabotinsky…

Here’s some amazing 1934 footage of Vladimir Jabotinsky discussing the status of the Jews in interwar Europe–and the crushing need for the establishment of the State of Israel.  Jabotinsky was one of the few Jewish thinkers of the 1930s who anticipated, in one form or another, the Holocaust that would engulf European Jewry.  He speaks in…

Thanks to all the parents who submitted their children’s names as candidates for the Internship in Jewish History. Unfortunately, I can only consider applications from people who are willing to take the job. Here’s the revised job description: Intern in Jewish History: Hard work, long hours, meager compensation. Chance at everlasting fame and glory, promoting…