Jewish Cultural Life: Lessons in Courage and Resilience

Catalog description

A survey of modern Jewish history from the French Revolution to World War I. Major developments are analyzed considering political, social, and ideological currents and trends. Emphasis is placed upon the emergence of diverse expressions of Jewish religious and secular identity. Topics include: the Enlightenment and emancipation; rise of Reform Judaism, eastern Haskalah, Volozhin and the Yeshiva movement, the Mussar movement, Jewish socialism, political and racial antisemitism, migrations, and Zionism. This course will explore how to teach about these historical events in light of the impending Holocaust.