Introduction

This course is designed to be a self-study, online course for those interested in learning about the "Story of the Jews."

The film series around which this course is designed introduces participants to the ancient and modern history and traditions of Judaism and to explain and interpret how historic events and traditions shape the practice of a modern religion. The Story of the Jews can be purchased or rented in its entireity from Amazon.com at "The Story of the Jews." As the series proceeds, you might want to study this Brief Guide to Key Jewish Terms. You might also viewing the films associated with this film series on PBS. Likewise you might find it useful to follow the diaspora of the Jews on this interactive map and this interactive timeline.

The texts for this course are:

Schama, Simon (2014) The Story of the Jews (Volume 1). New York, NY: Harper Collins.

Schama, Simon (2017) The Story of the Jews (Volume 2). New York, NY: Harper Collins.

Enrolling in the Course and Participation

You can enroll in this course by emailing etwimber@hotmail.com or by texting Dr. Wimberley at 239.405.4164.

After each session in the course I pose a series of "study questions" that may or may not choose to answer. After having completed the readings for each session and reviewed the accompanying video you can answer the study questions and submit them at etwimber@hotmail.com or to contact Dr. Wimberley by phone or email to request a time for dialogue about what you have learned. You may do so by phone or dialogue via Skype or Facetime. Dr. Wimberley's phone number is 239.405.4164. We may also convene group meetings of the class using the Zoom application on our computers. If you are unfamiliar with how to use Zoom, this online tutorial link should be useful: https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/201362193-Joining-a-Meeting .

Simon Schama's The Story of the Jews which is available online as a Kindle e-book. Because of the carona virus outbreak Amazon is only shipping medical and "necessary" merchandize. However you can purchase a hardcover or paper back copy of this book through Barnes & Noble. Schama's Story of the Jews follows the script of the film by the same name.

The course schedule involves 5 sessions. Participants in the course will need to rent each session for the Story of the Jews through Youtube which will cost $2.99 per session.

Story of the Jews Schedule:
Session 1: The Story of the Jews: In the Beginning

Session 2: The Story of the Jews: Among Believers

Session 3: The Story of the Jews: A Leap of Faith

Session 4: The Story of the Jews: Over the Rainbow

Session 5: The Story of the Jews: Return

Overview of the Story of the Jews

The Story of the Jews tells the story of the evolution of modern Judaism after the sack of Jerusalem by the Romans in approximately 70 AD. This story takes the reader through the Roman diaspora through the persecution of the Jews in the middle ages by Christians and to a lesser degree Muslims. During the "Dark Ages" the film describes how Jew did better under Muslim rule than they did in Chrisitan regions and explains how Jews were targeted in Spain during the Spanish Inquisition. It alo follows the plight of the Jews in the "Pale" of Eastern Europe and throughout the establishment of the stage of Isreal following World Wars one and two. Of particular importance to Christians is the degree to which the church contributed to the anti-semitism that led to the holocaust and continues to fuel anti-semitism to this day.