To Be a Jew in the Free World
$999.00
What was it like for our ancestors to say goodbye to the shtetl, to set out to discover new lives for themselves, along with all of the liberties the free world had to offer? At the dawn of the enlightenment, how did our parents adapt their Judaism to the developments of a modern age? And what can we learn from their struggles to connect deeply with our own Jewish identities?
LESSON 1
ONCE A JEW, FOREVER A JEW
Napoleon Bonaparte promised freedom from discrimination. The price? Allegiance to him and to France. Why are alternative allegiances a cause of concern for Jews? Just how deep does our Jewish identity run? And why is it that no matter what you do, you’ll always be a Jew?
LESSON 2
FREEDOM FOR ALL
In 1790, after leading a revolution in the name of liberty, George Washington affirmed the divine and inviolable freedoms of America’s tiny Jewish community. What is freedom? Is it indeed liberating to do as we please? Perhaps freedom is about something much deeper, more meaningful, and fulfilling!
LESSON 3
JUDAISM OF OUR CHOOSING
The failed attempt to establish a chief rabbi in New York in the 1890s demonstrated the weakness of the modern Jewish community structure. This lesson explores how the lack of top-down organization in the Jewish community and new-world individualism combine to challenge and empower individuals to choose to participate in Jewish life.
LESSON 4
THE JEWISH VOTE
In 1862, General Ulysses S. Grant signed an order expelling all Jews from the area under his command. This became a defining issue in his 1868 presidential campaign. Are Jews obliged to vote as Jews? Can our concerns as Jews conflict with our duties to our Diaspora home? Where should our first allegiance lie?
LESSON 5
ANTISEMITISM-FREE JEWISH IDENTITY
In contemporary times, the power of antisemitism to form a bulwark against assimilation has declined. We face a paradox−a desire for complete acceptance of Jews within society, while at the same time hoping that younger Jews and coming generations do not choose to assimilate and instead commit to living a Jewish life. How is this to be accomplished?
LESSON 6
PURPOSE FOR ALL MANKIND
In 1655, Menashe ben Israel shared a dream of redemption, moving Oliver Cromwell to readmit Jews to England. What is our role as Jews to inspire the world with a vision of universal peace and goodness? This lesson moves beyond mere Jewish continuity, and presents the idealistic vision that Judaism has for all humanity.
| Department | Flagship |
|---|---|
| Lessons | 6 |
Related Products
Discover stirring and surprising accounts that span two millennia of Jewish disputation, reflecting the panorama of Jewish history and its monumental political, ethical, and spiritual challenges. Encounter the gripping narratives of six fascinating eras, the intellectual tension and points of view they unearth, and the light they shed on the most fundamental of Jewish beliefs.
In stock
In his parting instructions to his people, Moses stresses the importance of historical perspective, for the present is an outgrowth of our past. By studying history, we are able to relate to current issues with greater understanding.
The story of the Jewish people is a story of a nation that has contributed to world history far more than might be expected from its small numbers. Indeed, it is remarkable how often the Jews have been found at the epicenter of world events. Many surveys of Jewish history have responded to this fact by considering the impact of Jews upon other nations and their contributions to history at large.
In stock
Discover inner courage, determination, and resilience in the life stories of legendary Talmudic figures. Witness the strength of human character in tales that are sure to resonate within your soul and inspire you to unleash the power within.
One part biography,
One part history,
All parts inspiration
In stock
A virtual, kabbalistic tour of the furnishings of the Temple. Explore their design, utility, and symbolism as well as their powerful messages to guide our modern lives.
In stock
A historical, archaeological, and topographical study of the Temple. Explore its chambers and functions and its relevance to us today.
Click here to order Student Books
In stock
Course through Judaism’s Most Important Titles, and the Authors Who Inscribed Them
A panoramic overview of 3000 years of Jewish learning, this course introduces you to the works that earned us the title “The People of The Book.” You will experience the different genres that shape Jewish life, including Tanach, Midrash, Talmud, Halachah, Philosophy, Kabbalah, Musar, Chasidism, and meet the influential personalities who drove thirty centuries of Jewish scholarship. Whether you’re meeting these texts for the first time or as a seasoned scholar, this course will inform and enrich all your Jewish learning.
In stock