• #148 - Vienna II - pre-WWI: Freud, Herzl & Rabbi Flesch
    Jan 7 2025
    Why did Vienna produce so many revolutionary Jews? How Jewish was Freud? Was Herzl always a Zionist? Did the Beis Yakov movement actually start in Vienna rather than Krakow? Nathan Birnbaum created the term Zionism - why don’t we know more about him? What was Gustav Mahler’s epitaph on his tombstone?

    Chapters

    03:12 Jewish Identity vs Jewish Society

    06:04 Responses to Antisemitism: A Spectrum of Reactions

    09:00 Five Cultural Figures and Their Influence

    11:51 Theodor Herzl: From Assimilation to Zionism

    20:54 The Collision of Ideas: Herzl and Viennese Jewry

    23:50 Herzl's Proposals: Why they happened in Vienna

    30:09 Nathan Birnbaum: The Ideologue of Zionism

    35:24 Sigmund Freud: A Complex Jewish Identity

    39:14 Freud's Psychoanalysis: Does it have religious value?

    46:30 Rabbi Moshe David Flesch: A Voice for Jewish Women

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    55 mins
  • #147 - The BBC: Biased Broadcasting Corporation - The Insiders View feat. Trevor Asserson
    Dec 26 2024

    It has long been suspected that the BBC is anti-Israel and employs pro-Palestinian reporters and editors. But how do you prove suspicion? And how far does the betrayal go?

    Using objective forensic methodology and scientific analysis, a year long report was created by a team of researchers, spear-headed by Trevor Assesrson, that makes shocking reading and listening.

    Post-interview we then spoke to Rabbi Zev Leff, Rabbi Osher Weiss and others, to determine how we should react?

    https://asserson.co.uk/assersonreport/

    Chapters

    00:00 Introduction to Jewish History Podcast

    01:07 Media Bias and Its Impact on Jewish Identity

    03:25 Interview with Trevor Asserson: Uncovering BBC Bias

    05:45 The Findings of the Asserson Report

    10:06 Analysis of BBC Arabic Coverage

    12:28 BBC Arabic and Its Influence

    17:34 The BBC's Institutional Challenges

    19:30 Hamas's Strategy and Media Reporting

    24:24 BBC's Institutional Bias

    27:14 Freedom of Information and BBC Accountability

    32:20 Public Awareness and Criticism of the BBC

    39:37 The Challenge of Objectivity in Reporting

    40:34 Funding and Support for Continued Research

    46:34 Conclusion and

    Call to Action

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    51 mins
  • #146 - 19th Century Vienna - Friends or Enemies?
    Dec 18 2024
    In the 1800s Vienna was one of the world's major cities, yet does not seem to have produced religious leadership? It nevertheless underwent a metamorphosis, which left it the victim of strong prejudice. Why did it experience such phenomenal growth in numbers and how - in just 4 decades - did Vienna become the centre of Jewish culture and science. What role did Rabbi Shmuel Yosef Bloch play?

    Chapters

    00:00 Introduction to Jewish History Podcast

    02:51 The Importance of Understanding Jewish History

    06:12 Effie's Insights on Rabbi Hirsch's Work

    07:05 Introduction to the Jews of Vienna

    08:33 Vienna's Jewish History and Community Dynamics

    10:29 Legal Status and Assimilation of Jews in Vienna

    13:52 The Rise of Jewish Influence in Vienna

    18:10 Anti-Semitism and Jewish Integration in Society

    21:06 The Complex Relationship Between Jews and Non-Jews

    24:00 Political Anti-Semitism and Its Consequences

    26:25 Internal Anti-Semitism and Community Dynamics

    28:45 The Crisis of Assimilation and Political Zionism

    30:13 Jewish Identity in Late 19th Century Vienna

    32:35 Religious Reform and Resistance in Vienna

    36:22 The Showdown of Reform and Orthodox Judaism

    43:30 Rabbi Yosef Schmuel Bloch: A Voice Against Anti-Semitism

    54:50 Vienna's Jewish Community: A Historical Overview

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    57 mins
  • #145 - Chanukah, the West & the ICC Judgement
    Dec 5 2024
    Unlike militant Islam, our enemies in the West don't want the Jews wiped out. But what they are aiming for is far more sinister. It is a battle between Sheker and Emess, that goes back to Biblical times and encompasses Politics, Art & Science. The quest for peace may seem elusive, but in certain ways, we hold the keys to changing the narrative.

    Summary

    This conversation delves into the complexities of Jewish identity, the historical context of anti-Semitism, and the current political landscape in the West, surrounding Israel and the ICC. It explores the philosophical underpinnings of truth, the influence of Greek thought on Jewish tradition, and the dangers of assimilation. The podcast looks at the Soviet Union, the Church, Blood Libels and the recent US elections.

    Chapters

    00:00 The ICC and Its Jurisdiction Over Israel

    02:52 Historical Context of Jewish Enmity

    06:14 The Nature of Modern Anti-Semitism

    09:06 The Role of Truth and Falsehood

    11:59 The Intersection of Science and Religion

    14:52 The Influence of Greek Philosophy

    18:12 The Political Landscape and Jewish Identity

    21:09 The Dangers of Assimilation

    24:03 The ICC's Bias Against Israel

    26:51 The Call to Action for the Jewish Community

    29:45 The Importance of Truth in Jewish Life

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    50 mins
  • #144 - The Rothschilds III - Five Brothers
    Nov 27 2024
    The ghetto walls were slowly coming down, but Mayer Anschel and Gutele refused to leave the Judengasse. Unusual opportunities arose for the Rothschilds when Napoleon opened a port for smuggling gold, although all was not plain sailing. The result was an international network based on Mayer Amschel's instruction, where unity and the Jewish Nation reigned supreme. Along the way,Taxis & Thurn, the Duke of Wellington & Hersh Liebman all formed part of the enduring and memorable narrative. But the question of the origins of his wealth, still remains unanswered.... (S N Fraiman – Lost portrait of Gutle Rothschild) https://koshertravelers.com/pesach-2025-elysium-resort-spa-hotel/

    Chapters

    00:00 The Rothschilds and European Finance

    02:22 Emancipation and the Ghetto Experience

    04:11 Tax Investigations and Business Operations

    06:32 Smuggling and Trade Challenges

    10:46 The Rise of Nathan Rothschild

    12:40 The Smuggling Operations and Economic Impact

    19:14 Nathan Rothschild: The Napoleon of Finance

    23:03 Legacy of Mayer Amschel Rothschild

    27:21 Legacy of Influence: The Rothschild Family's Values

    30:09 Unity and Success: The Rothschild Brothers' Commitment

    32:57 The Early Years: Rothschild's Business Practices and Challenges

    39:00 Theft and Betrayal: A Rothschild Scandal Uncovered

    42:45 Communication Innovations: The Rothschilds' Use of Pigeons and Telegraphs

    46:57 The Portrait of Gutle Rothschild: A Family Legacy

    51:14 Mysteries of Wealth: The Rothschilds and Their Historical Context

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    54 mins
  • #143 - The Rothschilds II - Mayer Amschel: Founder of a Dynasty
    Nov 19 2024
    Denmark’s bankruptcy gave Rothschild the opportunity he had been pursuing for 30 years, leaving a wake of furious Christian bankers behind him. A branch opens in London and the founder now changes to Family Rothschild, but Judaism remains uppermost. Napoleon’s invasion forces the Rothschilds underground and secrecy, diplomacy and speed become the bywords of the dynasty. Trip Details: Join us in exploring Jewish history across Austria, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia with Rabbis Aubrey Hersh and Akiva Tatz. Limited spots available—contact Giana at giana.elav@gmail.com for details.

    Chapters

    00:00 The Rise of the Rothschild Dynasty

    02:50 The Rothschild Family Structure and Dynamics

    08:56 Challenges and Triumphs in the Ghetto

    11:47 The Impact of War on Rothschild's Wealth

    15:07 The Role of Secrecy in Rothschild's Success

    18:00 The Legacy of Charity and Community

    20:54 Political Maneuvering and Emancipation

    24:11 The Rothschilds and the Napoleonic Wars

    26:59 The Transformation into International Bankers

    33:04 The Enduring Legacy of the Rothschild Family

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    48 mins
  • #142 - The Rothschilds I - Mayer Amschel: Unusual Origins
    Nov 12 2024

    The very name conjures up images of immense wealth, of banks and private government deals. It is accompanied by numerous conspiracy theories and unlikely legends. But the beginnings of the dynasty occurred in the overcrowded and isolated confines of the uninhabitable ghetto of Frankfurt.

    He rose to become the wealthiest Jew in Germany whilst remaining a Jew enclosed in a ghetto. It is a story that has never really been told. One that saw fortunes being lost and gained and that occured in the most unlikely of historical circumstances.

    Summary

    This conversation explores the life and legacy of Mayer Amschel Rothschild, detailing his unlikely rise to wealth as a Jew in 18th century Frankfurt. It delves into the socio-economic conditions of the time, the anti-Semitic environment, and the significant events that shaped his fortune, including the French Revolution. The discussion highlights Rothschild's early ventures, his connections with influential figures, and the business landscape of Frankfurt, ultimately leading to the establishment of the Rothschild banking dynasty.

    Takeaways

    The Rothschild name has become synonymous with immense wealth, yet Rothschild's rise to wealth could not have been foreseen .

    Life in the Judengasse was harsh and restrictive for Jews for many centuries.

    Frankfurt was a significant business hub in the 18th century.

    Rothschild's early ventures included trading coins and banking.

    His connections with royalty were crucial to his success.

    The French Revolution created opportunities for Rothschild.

    Within a decade afterwards, Rothschild and his sons became millionaires.

    Chapters

    04:20 Conspiracy theories

    07:57 Life in Frankfurt's Judengasse

    15:09 The Business Landscape of 18th Century Frankfurt

    26:09 Rothschild's Early Ventures and Connections

    29:30 Crown Prince William of Cassel-Hesse

    37:58 The Impact of the French Revolution

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    50 mins
  • #141 - Why History?
    Nov 2 2024

    The question behind all our podcasts? What can we learn? How does it change us.

    Our matched funds campaign is now live. If you enjoy History for the Curious, Please sponsor our continued podcasts:

    www.charityextra.com/jle/podcast

    The link will be live all of this week

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    1 min