Modern Jewish History (UCLA Spring 2018)

By Jasmin Cohan and Danielle GoldsmithHasidism is a Jewish religious group that has its origins in the 18th century contemporary Western Ukraine where it started as a spiritual revival movement. Israel Ben Eliezer, also referred to as Baal Shem Tov or Besht was the founding father of Hasidism. The followers of Hasidism, also known as Pious Ones or Hasidim, were distinguished by the

By Jackie DavisToday we'll be talking about particular ways the mutable American Jewish identity has been formed by (and forms) race.----Do you know that sound? The heartbeat rhythm, the call to Zion… What comes to your mind when you think of Bob Marley? Jamaica? Rastafarianism? Reggae? Judaism? I’m willing to bet that last one was a bit of a surprise. As it was for me. Iconic

By Kenny Peterson and Sam Winters

By Deeown ShaverdianToday I discuss major questions: Why the Jews? Was it jealousy that lead to the rise of these antisemitic social norms in Europe? Who were the perpetrators? Who were the victims? Who were the bystanders, if any? My argument would be that there is no such thing as bystanders in times of moral crisis.

By Nichola Nati, Commor Smith, and Victoria WabahIn this episode, we discuss the reconstruction of Jewish life after the Holocaust in Germany. Specifically, we seek to answer two questions. First, we aim to find out why 10,000 to 15,000 Jews chose to stay in Germany after surviving the Holocaust. Second, we want to show why Jewish history matters, especially with regards to the pos

By Lance Cacia and Luis OrendainHow do a people and culture in isolation become mainstream? From antiquity to modernity there have been significant developments such as the Jewish Diaspora, Emancipation, Haskalah, and immigration that have led Jews out of the fringes of society and into popular culture.