John Efron

These accessibly written volumes examine the major periods of Jewish history around the world, from their distant origins in antiquity through the beginnings of the modern period and the emergence of secular culture, and further to the eighteenth century to the present day.The first volume of a comprehensive history of the Jews draws on up to date research to recount the story of the Jews from their distant origins in antiquity through the beginnings of the modern period and the emergence of secular culture. Enhanced by images, limelight given to various historical mysteries, recommendations for how to learn more, as well other features, the book moves chapter by chapter through the major periods of Jewish history, balancing introductions for those unfamiliar with that history, with discussion of new approaches and recent discoveries that have reshaped understanding of the Jewish past.The second volume of a comprehensive history of the Jews includes topics such as the impact on Jewish society of the Enlightenment as well as its Jewish equivalent, the Haskalah, religious innovations in eastern and central Europe, the processes of emancipation and Jewish acculturation, the modern economic history of the Jewish people, which includes their embourgeoisement in central and western Europe, and the growth of a giant Jewish proletariat in eastern Europe, the emergence of an antisemitic politics that sought to roll back Jewish gains and the variety of Jewish responses to those illiberal forces, especially in the form of vibrant Jewish political cultures, among them Zionism, socialism, and mass migration.The book is useful not just for those interested in the Jews themselves but also for readers open to learning about global history from the vantage point of a people whose experiences attest both to the resilience of human culture and the impact of hate and violence.

Providing a broad as well as a pointillist overview of modern Jewish history on a global scale from the eighteenth century to the present day, this book analyzes how the Jewish people have been dramatically transformed by the forces of social, economic, political, technological, and demographic change.Now in a new edition as a split volume, this second volume of a comprehensive history of the Jews includes topics such as the impact on Jewish society of the Enlightenment as well as its Jewish equivalent, the Haskalah; religious innovations in eastern and central Europe; the processes of emancipation and Jewish acculturation; the modern economic history of the Jewish people, which includes their embourgeoisement in central and western Europe, and the growth of a giant Jewish proletariat in eastern Europe; the emergence of an antisemitic politics that sought to roll back Jewish gains; and the variety of Jewish responses to those illiberal forces, especially in the form of vibrant Jewish political cultures, among them Zionism, socialism, and mass migration. Middle Eastern Jewish communities were likewise impacted by the forces of modernity in ways particular to them, and that history is addressed, as is the emergence and consolidation of the state of Israel in the wake of the Holocaust and the dissolution of Jewish communities across the Muslim world. Currently, illiberal forces are again on the march from both the right and the left, helping to foster a global upsurge of antisemitic violence and online hate.The book is useful not just for those interested in the Jews themselves but also for readers open to learning about global history from the vantage point of an ethnic minority deeply impacted by modernity, both its blessings as well as its horrors.

Providing a broad as well as a pointillist overview of modern Jewish history on a global scale from the eighteenth century to the present day, this book analyzes how the Jewish people have been dramatically transformed by the forces of social, economic, political, technological, and demographic change.Now in a new edition as a split volume, this second volume of a comprehensive history of the Jews includes topics such as the impact on Jewish society of the Enlightenment as well as its Jewish equivalent, the Haskalah; religious innovations in eastern and central Europe; the processes of emancipation and Jewish acculturation; the modern economic history of the Jewish people, which includes their embourgeoisement in central and western Europe, and the growth of a giant Jewish proletariat in eastern Europe; the emergence of an antisemitic politics that sought to roll back Jewish gains; and the variety of Jewish responses to those illiberal forces, especially in the form of vibrant Jewish political cultures, among them Zionism, socialism, and mass migration. Middle Eastern Jewish communities were likewise impacted by the forces of modernity in ways particular to them, and that history is addressed, as is the emergence and consolidation of the state of Israel in the wake of the Holocaust and the dissolution of Jewish communities across the Muslim world. Currently, illiberal forces are again on the march from both the right and the left, helping to foster a global upsurge of antisemitic violence and online hate.The book is useful not just for those interested in the Jews themselves but also for readers open to learning about global history from the vantage point of an ethnic minority deeply impacted by modernity, both its blessings as well as its horrors.

These accessibly written volumes examine the major periods of Jewish history around the world, from their distant origins in antiquity through the beginnings of the modern period and the emergence of secular culture, and further to the eighteenth century to the present day.The first volume of a comprehensive history of the Jews draws on up to date research to recount the story of the Jews from their distant origins in antiquity through the beginnings of the modern period and the emergence of secular culture. Enhanced by images, limelight given to various historical mysteries, recommendations for how to learn more, as well other features, the book moves chapter by chapter through the major periods of Jewish history, balancing introductions for those unfamiliar with that history, with discussion of new approaches and recent discoveries that have reshaped understanding of the Jewish past.The second volume of a comprehensive history of the Jews includes topics such as the impact on Jewish society of the Enlightenment as well as its Jewish equivalent, the Haskalah, religious innovations in eastern and central Europe, the processes of emancipation and Jewish acculturation, the modern economic history of the Jewish people, which includes their embourgeoisement in central and western Europe, and the growth of a giant Jewish proletariat in eastern Europe, the emergence of an antisemitic politics that sought to roll back Jewish gains and the variety of Jewish responses to those illiberal forces, especially in the form of vibrant Jewish political cultures, among them Zionism, socialism, and mass migration.The book is useful not just for those interested in the Jews themselves but also for readers open to learning about global history from the vantage point of a people whose experiences attest both to the resilience of human culture and the impact of hate and violence.

The Jews: A History is a comprehensive and accessible text that explores the religious, cultural, social, and economic diversity of the Jewish people and their faith.Placing Jewish history within its wider cultural context, the book covers a broad time span, stretching from ancient Israel to the modern day. It examines Jewish history across a range of settings, including the ancient Near East, the age of Greek and Roman rule, the medieval realms of Christianity and Islam, modern Europe, including the World Wars and the Holocaust, and contemporary America and Israel, covering a variety of topics, such as legal emancipation, acculturation, and religious innovation. The third edition is fully updated to include more case studies and to encompass recent events in Jewish history, as well as religion, social life, economics, culture, and gender.Supported by case studies, online references, further reading, maps, and illustrations, The Jews: A History provides students with a comprehensive and wide-ranging grounding in Jewish history.