History for the Curious - The Jewish History Podcast

How do you survive lying alone in a grave for 2 months? Where does a teenager find the determination and belief to overcome betrayal, loss and danger through the terrible years of war?

What would you do if you were told a truth which you could not do anything about, but which would change lives forever?

Who were the Kapos? Listen to an unknown story of tragedy and heroism. A Kapo in Auschwitz. A family pulled apart. A truth eventually uncovered.

Two prominent Jews in Parliament, the sinking of the Titanic and insider share trading made up the ingredients of a scandal that threatened the foundations of the UK Government - 2/2.

Two prominent Jews in Parliament, the sinking of the Titanic and insider share trading made up the ingredients of a scandal that threatened the foundations of the UK Government - Part 1 of 2

In the 19th century, Jews may not become Members of Parliament. But somehow they get elected anyway. Apostasy, division and determination, in pursuit of the greatest political goal: Prime Minister of Britain. The story of the Disraelis 

Why was a Jew subjected to an excommunication in 1705, that was never revoked? And how did it create a power struggle in the Ashkenzai community of England?   

Jews lived across England from 1070 onwards, but 600 of them were imprisoned in the Tower of London in 1278? Why? And how did the Jews add Hebrew words to the English medieval language?

25 years after Paris the Talmud was being cross-examined again. This time the Christians intended to prove the truth of their faith from within Judaism !    In 1413, the Jews chose silence as their response but many were pressured into conversion.   100 years ago the world lost a halachic genius; Rav Arik created a generation of rabbis. His numerous students include Rav Meir Shapiro & the Tchebiner Rov, while his rulings influence financial law to this day.   For information about the Poland trip 3rd-6th November contact giana.elav@gmail.com   Chapters 00:00 The Disputation Series: An Overview 02:46 The Context of the Barcelona Disputation 05:56 The Goals and Strategies of the Disputation 09:04 The Nature of the Debate: Christianity vs. Judaism 11:52 The Role of the Messiah in Christianity and Judaism 15:05 The Agadic Approach in Jewish Thought 17:56 The Outcomes of the Disputation 20:58 The Tortosa Disputation: A New Era 23:59 The Impact of Fear and Intimidation 26:40 The Aftermath of the Disputation 29:59 Rav Meir Arik: A Brief Biography

During the 13th century, Europe was controlled by a militant church, and France was ruled by Louis IX - a bitter enemy of the Jews. All copies of the Talmud were seized and four Baalei Tosfos were interrogated in public.  How did Jewry recover from this calamity? Was this tragedy related to the burning of the Rambam’s writings?    Chapters 00:00 Divine Retribution and Historical Context 04:38 Rambam and Rabbeinu Yonah's Controversy 12:07 The Role of Hillel of Verona 18:45 Yom Kippur and the Nature of Repentance 21:19 Church Disputations and Their Impact 29:34 The Paris Disputation: A Turning Point 42:44 Consequences of the Talmud's Burning

In 1263 the Ramban was forced to attend a public Disputation and defend the truths of the Talmud against attacks by the Dominicans, who were led by an apostate Jew.   The Ramban would be exiled from Spain as a result and settle in Eretz Yisrael where he described with both pride and pain of the state of the Jewish community.  Using his medical knowledge, the Ramban also authored a central halachic work on healing and consulting doctors for refuah.   Chapters 00:00 The Downfall of Edom and the Church's Influence 02:53 The Ramban's Controversial Letters and Kabbalistic Ideas 06:08 The Disputation of Barcelona: A Turning Point 08:44 The Aftermath of the Disputation and Censorship 11:57 The Ramban's Journey to Eretz Yisrael 14:41 Rebuilding Jerusalem: The Ramban's Legacy 18:03 The Ramban's Medical Insights and Philosophy 21:02 The Ramban's Introduction to the Torah 24:03 The Essence of the Torah and Its Connection to Hashem

By the 13th century, Spain was becoming a more uncomfortable place for Jews, partly due to  communal structure. Ramban will engage in dampening the flames of controversy both about the Rambam and regarding power and authority. But he will face strong personal attacks in the process.   The Ramban was also a prolific author of sefarim. They range from Halacha to Chumash, Kabbala & Talmud. R' Shmuli Levison joins us to introduce us to these various works and the distinction between Philosophy & Kabbalah.   Email: giana.elav@gmail.com for the Poland Trip   Chapters   00:00 The Life and Legacy of the Ramban   07:48 Ramban's Influence on Jewish Thought   21:39 The Maimonidean Controversy   40:48 Ramban's Approach to Kabbalah and Philosophy   57:25 Ramban's Writings and Their Impact

Many Jews were reluctant first-hand witnesses to Nazi cruelty and suffering.    For many Hungarian survivors,  often deliberately misled about the truth of Auschwitz's existence, betrayal only added to their pain. Risa Shayowitz - aged a young 95 years old - relays that tragedy, even as she looks only to move forward. An American chaplain in the US Army in April 1945 - Rabbi Hershel Schachter - opened up the gates of Hell. In a little known recording, we hear him describe the piles of bodies, the still warm crematoria and the emaciated Jews he discovered there. His dedication gave life to many.   Our duty nowadays is to understand what Exile means and how Tisha B'Av gives us that ability.   For further details on the Poland trip 3rd-6th November with Rabbi Hersh & Rabbi Tatz, email: Giana.elav@gmail.com   Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Jewish Heritage and History 01:50 The Remarkable Life of Riza Indic-Kaufman 04:34 Survival Stories from Auschwitz 11:14 Life in Auschwitz: A Personal Account 19:36 The Impact of Loss and Resilience 25:50 The Role of Liberators: Rabbi Herschel Schachter 30:20 Experiencing Buchenwald: A Chaplain's Perspective 40:53 Rebuilding Lives After Liberation 51:53 The Journey to Switzerland and New Beginnings 01:00:33 Reflections on Suffering and Redemption

We speak of 'Holocaust Survivors' without understanding what they survived, without knowing the trauma and guilt they carried.  A young 16-year-old girl (now 97 years old) was taken through the cruelty of Auschwitz - and asked by Mengele to decide the fate of her own mother.  How did she find the strength of mind? How did she become a beacon to others, learn to redefine freedom and turn her wounds into a source of hope?  And how should Tisha B'Av redefine our understanding of exile?    Chapters: 00:00 The Journey Begins: A Survivor's Tale 19:04 Reunion and Resilience: Finding Family After the War 24:55 Life After Liberation: Struggles and Triumphs 28:05 Facing New Challenges: The Fight for a Future 28:10 The Decision to Leave 30:23 The Escape Plan 31:53 A New Life in America 33:20 Confronting the Past 36:55 Lessons from Auschwitz 43:08 Moving Forward from Trauma 55:00 The Power of Belief

Despite being a Western country, Holland almost equalled the East in its destructiveness during the Holocaust. 2 non-Jews created their own narrative by bypassing the system. One took great risks, the other received great reward. Their unusual stories, extend forgery into new territory. And a mention of Mein Kampf - one hundred years later.   Chapters 00:00 The Journey into Danger 01:40 The Context of the Holocaust 06:41 The Systematic Persecution of Jews in Holland 08:55 The Story of Jaap Penraat 14:57 The Art of Forgery and Resistance 22:47 The Nazi Obsession with Art 29:58 The Aftermath of War and Art Recovery

Hidden away in a tiny attic in Paris, a Jew created freedom for thousands by forging Identity cards, ration books and travel passes. Hunted by Nazis, his genius and dedication came with enormous risk. And his experiences left him with a sense of guilt that would never leave him.   Email giana.elav@gmail.com for the Prague trip...   Chapters 00:00 Trapped in History: The Beginning of a Journey 01:35 The Holocaust Series: A Focus on Forgers 02:50 Adolfo Kaminsky: The Master Forger 03:14 A Life of Identity: The Early Years of Kaminsky 07:28 The Loss of Innocence: A Family's Tragedy 10:50 Imprisonment and Survival: The Drancy Experience 13:46 The Art of Forgery: Kaminsky's New Identity 18:48 Creating New Lives: The Resistance Movement 23:09 The Pressure of Time: A Race Against Death 28:00 The Underground Network: Delivering Hope 29:57 The Aftermath of War: A New Role for Kaminsky 33:17 Legacy of a Forger: Saving Lives Beyond the War 37:09 A Life of Sacrifice: Kaminsky's Continued Fight 40:45 The Complexity of Identity: Kaminsky's Later Years 44:19 A Lasting Impact: Kaminsky's Global Influence 47:24 Reflections on Guilt and Responsibility

In the Medieval period, Jerusalem was repeatedly fought over and at times only 2 Jews lived there. Yet there were always those who braved making Aliya including Ramban, Bartenura and Rav Yechiel of Paris - all recording accounts of their journey. But who were the Mamluks? Where is the Holy Toothpick? And who built the Sultan's Pool?    To book a place on the Maharal Prague trip 8th-11th September: giana.elav@gmail.com   Chapters 00:00 Welcome Back and Celebrations 03:07 Reflections on the Poland Trip 06:01 The Crusades and Their Impact on Jerusalem 08:48 The Aftermath of the Crusader Conquest 12:10 Saladin's Rise and the Muslim Response 15:02 The Third Crusade and Negotiations for Jerusalem 17:52 The Mamluks and Their Rule 21:02 The Jewish Presence in Jerusalem 24:07 The Aliyah of Scholars to Eretz Yisrael 27:01 The Ottoman Conquest and Its Effects 30:03 Life in Jerusalem Under Ottoman Rule 32:52 The Economic and Social Conditions of Jews 36:02 Travel and Migration to Eretz Yisrael 39:01 The Keys of Jerusalem and Their Significance 42:09 The Jewish Community in Jerusalem 45:01 The Future of Jerusalem and Upcoming Topics

How do we relate to the most recent events in the Middle-East? In 638 the Moslems transformed the city; but what was their motivation? What created the divisions of Jewish observance in the 10th century?  Why was the Golden Gate sealed off? How did the Christian East-West Schism of 1054 affect Jewish lives in Jerusalem?  To register for the Maharal - Prague Tour 8th-11th September contact: giana.elav@gmail.com   Chapters 00:00 The Treaty of Jerusalem: A Historical Overview 04:03 The Islamic Conquest and Its Impact on Jerusalem 09:46 The Role of Caliph Omar and the Covenant of Omar 13:56 The Dynasties of Islamic Rule in Jerusalem 19:52 The Jewish Community in Jerusalem: A Historical Perspective 25:50 The Golden Gate and Its Significance 31:37 The Cultural Exchange Between East and West 37:45 The Fatimid Period and Its Tolerance 41:39 The Decline of Islamic Rule and the Rise of the Crusaders

What does Yerushalayim represent? How does the current conflict with Iran impact upon that?   Were the Jews expelled from Jerusalem after the Temple was destroyed? Why did the Romans rebuild the city? Who were the Byzantines who occupied Eretz Yisrael for 300 years? How did the Jews get permission to start rebuilding the Temple and why was it ultimately unsuccessful?   Chapters 00:00 The Historical Significance of Jerusalem 03:05 Jerusalem: A City of Conflict and Unity 05:52 The Role of Prayer in Jewish Identity 08:50 Reflections on Leadership and Faith 11:56 The Roman Destruction and Its Aftermath 14:46 The Impact of Hadrian's Rule 17:53 The Bar Kokhba Revolt and Its Consequences 28:04 The Destruction of Judea and Jewish Martyrdom 31:32 Christianity's Shift and the Loss of Jerusalem's Centrality 35:31 Constantine's Reign and the Christianization of Jerusalem 40:36 Helena's Influence and the Rise of Christian Pilgrimage 44:22 Julian's Brief Reprieve for the Jews 49:02 Justinian's Persecution and the Transformation of Jerusalem 52:50 The Persian Conquest and Jewish Resurgence 56:27 The Muslim Era and Jewish Return to Jerusalem

The existence of an Oral Law brought about debate and argument. So why not preserve it all in the Written text alone? And how do we decide who is right? Who makes that decision?  Are all Rabbis equally qualified? Can any Jew contribute to Torah?    Chapters 01:51 The Importance of Oral Law 06:06 Understanding Halacha and Truth 11:50 The Role of Teacher and Student in Torah 17:59 The Nature of Disputes in Torah 24:10 The Concept of Eilu ve Eilu 29:57 Halacha in Practice 44:01 The Role of the Sanhedrin 52:23 Defining a Talmid Chochom today