Really looking forward to meeting this community!

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




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!

After a brief overview placing the medieval period in historical context, we look more deeply at two especially noxious false charges: the Blood Libel and Desecration of the Host.

A look at the role of Jews in the medieval European economy, with emphasis on trade and finance. Premiering today at 1pm ET (New York Time) with live chat.

Rabbi Yosef Karo: The Kabbalah of Halakhah Delivered at the Young Israel of Bal Harbour, January 25, 2012. Lecture sponsored by Menachem Sternbaum, Susan Leaventon, and an anonymous donor. Correction: it wasn’t Rothschild after all, it was the Duke of Naxos. Update: The nice people over at TorahCafe took this video and improved it considerably.…
Welcome to the new website for Hillel Abramson‘s Lecture Series in Jewish History at Young Israel of Bal Harbour! This site will feature information on the series, and host video recordings of the lectures. We encourage you to sign up for our Email Newsletter below, which is our principal way of letting participants know what’s…


