History for the Curious - The Jewish History Podcast

#52 - Holocaust IV - Collaborators & Opponents

In the forests of Poland survival was unlikely. Betrayal made it even more hazardous.
A documented story of courage, loneliness and determination - with an unexpected final turn.

#51 - The Holocaust III - Holocaust Denial: Why & Who cares?

Denial matters not just for reasons of historical  accuracy but because of what it says about Jews.
Even innocuous statements contain the potential for real damage.

#50 - The Holocaust II - Holocaust Denial: How & Who

Despite the enormous amount of evidence to the contrary, Holocaust denial persists in both the Western world and the Middle-East, causing tremendous pain to survivors and the Jewish People.
What are their claims and how do we combat them?

#49 - The Holocaust I - Heroes & Villains

Some Jews in Germany served in Hitler’s Wehrmacht - even in the SS -  but the outcome was always an unknown. As was trading with the Nazi empire.

#48 - Venice II - The Personalities: 1516-1866

Despite the Ghetto restrictions, it was home to a number of noteworthy figures. And a Levantine merchant turn the Ghetto into a minor haven?
But controversy soon followed with a sinister visit from Nathan of Gaza.

#47 - Venice I - The Origins: 1204-1516

The origins of Venetian Jewry start more than 150 years before the Ghetto was opened.  What went wrong? What brought the Jews back?
And how did Shakespeare’s Shylock operate in the enclosed ghetto of Venice?

#46 - Chasidus II -Leadership & Survival: 1772

How did Chasidus survive excommunication? Who really led the movement?
And how did 1772 affect all of Eastern Europe for the next 150 years?

#45 - Chasidus I -The Controversy: 1772

Why was Chassidus such a radical movement? Who gained from 1772? Why was the Mezericher Maggid the chosen successor?

#44 - Genizah IV - Poetry, Government & the European Saga

The greatest Jewish poet lived during the 11th century. But are the legends true? And why does the government feature so often in the Genizah?
Plus details of an exclusive tour of the Cairo Genizah in Cambridge with Rabbi Hersh

#43 - Geniza III - Pre-Nups, Politics & Palestine

Egypt dominates international sea trade, and the Jews share the success.
But Women's Rights are on the agenda, the Chief Rabbi is taken to court and egos get in the way of truth.

#42 - Geniza II - The Contents

One single fragment changed history forever. Giving access to personal letters, handbooks for magic and even some Yiddish...
Although putting Bible critics in their place was sweet revenge too.

#41 - Geniza I - The Scandals

A liar, a smuggler and a forger. All after the prize - the most lucrative of the 19th century. Meanwhile Cairo is opening up to foreigners...
 
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#40 - Pesach II - War & Peace

Pesach icons - Manischewitz vs. IRS - Late additions & 20th Century changes. And don't forget to Remove the Plagues.

#39 - Pesach I - Unusual Texts

A Seder during the Civil War - a Forged Haggada - Questions in Siberia - Which Spouse is Maror?

#38 - Ramchal II - Amsterdam 1736 (featuring Rabbi Dr Akiva Tatz)

Accused of heresy, Ramchal flees Italy to face a showdown in Germany. How is he rehabilitated, what is his legacy and what is the essence of his Mesilas Yesharim?

#37 - Ramchal I - Italy 1707 (featuring Rabbi Dr Akiva Tatz)

Revolutionary, Kabbalist, Pietist & Intellectual Polymath. 
 
Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzatto was the subject of tremendous controversy during his lifetime. What drove him and what are the principles of his teachings. 
A Podcast special with Rabbi Hersh & Rabbi Tatz

#36 - 16th Century Poland IV - The Legend & the Council

An Italian emigre, a wandering Prince & a vacant Polish throne. The making of a true legend. Alongside a Jewish Parliament & money lending made halachic.

#35 - 16th Century Poland III - Understanding Ukraine & and the Identity of Ashkenazim

Ukraine has housed Jews for almost seven centuries. How do we view them? And where do we stand during this conflict?
How did Poland create the Ashkenazim - with what authority and with what outcome? A revolutionary insight.

#34 - 16th Century Poland II - The Maharshal & The Rema

Two  intellectuals dominated the halachic arena in the 1500s. Cousins by birth, writers by nature. The timely & the timeless.

#33 - 16th Century Poland I - Roots & Origins

Making a Life whilst Making a Living. A 500-year tale, with humble origins. Sought after by nobility, given rights and self-governance, the early Jewish communities spread across Poland and Lithuania.
But not everyone was a success story.