When it comes to Jewish history, few countries, if any, have as troubled a past as Germany. From the Rhineland massacres of 1096 through the almost incomprehensible systematic slaughter of the Holocaust in the 20th century, anti-Semitic violence was once a regular occurrence in Germany for the better part of a thousand years. But Germany also enjoyed many periods where Jews … [Read more...]
MEDIEVAL SYNAGOGUES OF SPAIN AND PORTUGAL
Throughout the Middle Ages, synagogues were constructed by Jewish communities all over Europe. While very few survive from this period, there are several noteworthy clusters of historic medieval synagogues that are still standing throughout the continent. One such cluster can be found in the Iberian Peninsula. Many synagogues were built in Spain and Portugal during the … [Read more...]
HOMES AND OTHER SITES OF GREAT JEWISH INTELLECTUALS OF THE EARLY MODERN AGE
Sandwiched between the persecutions and pogroms of the Middle Ages and the terrifying years of the Holocaust, there was a golden age of Jewish culture that flourished in Europe. From France to Russia, and especially in Central Europe, some of the greatest Jewish thinkers of all time emerged during this period. The era produced brilliant Jewish philosophers, phenomenally … [Read more...]
ANCIENT SYNAGOGUE RUINS
The ‘synagogue’ as an institution is very ancient. It is unknown exactly when the earliest synagogues were built, but in all likelihood it was during the Hasmonean dynasty, which ruled over Judea from 140 BCE to 37 BCE. Synagogue construction became more widespread after the destruction of the Great Temple of Jerusalem in 70 CE. Despite this, not a single … [Read more...]
PRAGUE JEWISH GHETTO – PICTURE GALLERY
MOUNT CARMEL
Israel/Palestine (525 m) – Biblical Site of the Tomb of Elijah Mount Carmel is technically small range of mountains stretching along the traditional northern border of Israel. Generally the term Mount Carmel usually specifies that hill related to the sites of the life of the Elijah including the tomb where it is believed the prophet is buried. Because of this Carmel was an … [Read more...]
MOUNT GEREZIM & MOUNT EBAL
Israel/Palestine (881 m, 940 m) – Biblical Hills Surrounding Shechem Mount Zion and Mount Ebal are two hills around which much of ancient Israel’s history revolved. Once sacred to all the descendants of Abraham, Gerezim and Ebal became the center of religious life for the Northern Kingdom after the division, and remained sacred to the group which later became known as the … [Read more...]
MOUNT ZION & MOUNT OF OLIVES
Israel/Palestine (765 m, 826 m) – Biblical Hills Surrounding Jerusalem Mount Zion and the Mount of Olives are two ancient hills which flank the old walled city of Jerusalem to the south and east respectively. Between them they almost perfectly flank the Temple Mount, the most sacred site in Judaism and also highly revered by both Christians and Muslims as well. Not … [Read more...]
MAJOR LEAGUE DREIDEL CHAMPIONSHIP
Brooklyn, New York Yes, you read that correctly. It is not a mistake. You did not imagine it. There is an actual organization called Major League Dreidel; and they do have an annual Dreidel competition. It is the Dreidelpolluza of Hanukkah-related non-sporting events. And though it is only a few years old, I’m guessing that somehow, in the foreseeable future, it is … [Read more...]
TEMPLE DE HIRSCH SINAI
Seattle, Washington Temple De Hirsch is one of the oldest and most prestigious synagogues in the Pacific Northwest. Originally founded as a Reform Synagogue, Temple De Hirsch is renowned for its choir, one of the most famous Jewish choirs in the world. The quality of the synagogue’s music program is due wholly to the efforts of one Samuel Goldfarb, who was the music … [Read more...]
