This series continues the exploration of the Diaspora, focusing on the history and culture of Jews in four European countries or regions. All are part of the saga of European Jewish prosperity, achievement, persecution, exile, destruction, and return. Many American Jews have Russian roots, as it once had the world’s largest Jewish population, including imperialistic holdings in Ukraine, Lithuania, Latvia, and Belarus. Germany was the home of Ashkenazi Judaism and today has a surprisingly growing Jewish community. The Jewish presence in Italy dates to pre-Christian Rome and has continued, despite periods of extreme Papal persecution and expulsions and with the help of Mussolini! From the 16th C diaspora fleeing Iberian expulsion until the Holocaust, the Netherlands was mostly a bastion of tolerance and a center of Jewish life when Amsterdam was known as “Dutch Jerusalem.”

"Excellent presentations, well researched, interesting and clear documentation, loved the graphics"- OLLI Patron

LECTURES:

1. Russia: Beyond the Pale- Medieval, Imperial and Soviet Empires

2. Germany: Prosperity, Integration, Destruction and Rebirth

3. Italy: Surviving Emperors, Popes, and Mussolini

4. The Netherlands: Conversos, Commerce, Occupation and Remembrance

Live In-Person with Video Catch-up. Available 2-3 business days after the live lecture. You will have approximately two weeks to view the video.