Jewish Historians, History, and Historiography

Andrew Stein
October 8, 15, 22, November 5, 12 December 3, 10, January 7, 14, 21, February 4, 11, March 3, 10, 17, 24
9:30-10:45, on Zoom

This course will take a broad view of Jewish history, how it was envisioned over the
centuries, and how over about the last 250 years, modern Jewish historians have
trained, written, taught, and practiced their craft. We will focus primarily on the period
from about 1500 to 2000 CE and examine a range of themes and approaches in Jewish
history, the legacy of exemplary historians of the Jewish experience, and their changing
perspectives, methods, and topics. We’ll also consider the continuum ranging from
dispassionate, professional historians sorting out the actual record, versus history as
popular memory, a source of identity, and drawing lessons from the past for the present
and future of the Jewish people. Many among us also have probed Jewish history as
part of our own family history research, both in America and in our ancestors’ places of
origin. Finally, we will consider the role of archives and museums in conserving Jewish
history and shaping our understanding of it.

Registration is required – click here to register!