_(english).jpg "Taking the Spiritual Dive")
_(english).jpg "Genetic Screening for Breast Cancer Genes")
_(english).jpg "Judaism and the 12-Step Program")
+.jpg "Knowledge and Wisdom")
+.jpg "Moshe, Miriam and Prophecy")
+.jpg "Don't Give Up")
About the Author
Rabbi Ken Spiro
Rabbi Ken Spiro, originally from New Rochelle, NY, graduated from Vassar College with a BA in Russian Language and Literature and did graduate studies at the Pushkin Institute in Moscow. He has rabbinic ordination from Aish Jerusalem and a Masters Degree in History from Vermont College of Norwich University. Rabbi Spiro is also a licensed tour guide by the Israel Ministry of Tourism. He has appeared on numerous radio and TV programs such as BBC, National Geographic Channel and The History Channel. He lives near Jerusalem with his wife and five children, where he works as a senior lecturer for Aish Jerusalem.
Crash Course in Jewish History
is "a comprehensive, thoughtful and highly educational survey of Jewish history.” - Sir Martin Gilbert
In one volume, Crash Course in Jewish History explores the 4,000 years of Jewish existence while answering the great questions: Why have the Jewish people been so unique, so impactful, yet so hated and so relentlessly persecuted?
Crash Course in Jewish History is not only comprehensive and readable, it is also entertaining and enlightening. Novices and scholars alike will find Crash Course in Jewish History to be thought-provoking and insightful, as well as a valuable and relevant guide to understanding the challenges we all face in the 21st century.
Liberal Politics and Jewish Idealism
by Rabbi Ken SpiroHow Jewish voting trends reflect the innate Jewish drive.
Video: The Ten Lost Tribes
by Rabbi Ken SpiroLarge numbers of Jews were exiled and disappeared. Where are they now?
Gilad Shalit and the Sea Turtle
by Rabbi Ken SpiroThe controversial exchange highlights one extreme difference: Israel values life.
WorldPerfect: The Aish HaTorah Seminar
by Rabbi Ken SpiroThe in-depth presentation of the origins of modern world values.
Why the Jews? The Aish HaTorah Seminar
by Rabbi Ken SpiroUnderstanding the root of the world's longest hatred.
Part 7: Social Responsibility
by Rabbi Ken SpiroThe Jews introduced the key concepts of modern morality.
Part 10: Jewish Family & Responsibility
by Rabbi Ken SpiroBiblical values became the basis for social welfare.
Part 12: Looking Forward
by Rabbi Ken SpiroEveryone is part of the whole, responsible one for another.
Part 1: Key Values for a Perfect World
by Rabbi Ken SpiroWhat is the source of our utopian world vision?
Part 6: Family Values
by Rabbi Ken SpiroGreek civilization viewed pederasty as the highest form of love.
Part 3: War & Peace
by Rabbi Ken SpiroNations often employ the law of the jungle: Might makes right.
Part 8: The Jewish Perspective
by Rabbi Ken SpiroHe who saves one life is as if he saves an entire universe.
Part 5: Mass Education
by Rabbi Ken SpiroEducation is power. Mass illiteracy keeps people under control.
Part 11: Monotheism and its Implications
by Rabbi Ken SpiroAmerica’s Founding Fathers turned to the Bible for inspiration.
Part 9: Jewish Justice & Education
by Rabbi Ken SpiroThe Jewish king was not above the law; rather he exemplified it.
Part 2: Value of Life
by Rabbi Ken SpiroToday’s violence in sports is child’s play compared to many ancient cultures.
FAQs: Why is There So Much Anti-Semitism?
by Rabbi Ken SpiroMost given causes are just excuses. What's the real cause?
_(english).jpg "Purim in Persia")
Purim in Persia
by Rabbi Ken SpiroAnother feast celebrating God's abandonment of Israel puts in motion a plot to annihilate the Jews.
_(english).jpg "America and Jewish Values")
America and Jewish Values
by Rabbi Ken SpiroThe Bible's major role in the creation of the United States and its democracy.
_(english).gif "History Crash Course #68: Timeline: From Abraham to the State of Israel")
History Crash Course #68: Timeline: From Abraham...
by Rabbi Ken SpiroFour thousand years of Jewish history at a glance.
_(small)_(english).jpg "Jerusalem (10 min video)")
_(english).jpg "History Crash Course #67: The Miracle of Jewish History")
History Crash Course #67: The Miracle of Jewish...
by Rabbi Ken SpiroIn the final analysis, Jewish history makes no rational sense.
_(english).gif "History Crash Course #66: War")
History Crash Course #66: War
by Rabbi Ken SpiroSince its founding in 1948, Israel has been in a constant state of war, and yet has achieved great economic success.
_(english).gif "History Crash Course #65: The State of Israel")
History Crash Course #65: The State of Israel
by Rabbi Ken SpiroAfter the British turned away Holocaust survivors from Israel, the UN voted to partition the land.
_(english).gif "History Crash Course #64: The British Mandate")
History Crash Course #64: The British Mandate
by Rabbi Ken SpiroThe British promised to create a Jewish state, but served their own Arab-linked interests as millions died in the Holocaust.
_(english).gif "History Crash Course #63: Modern Zionism")
History Crash Course #63: Modern Zionism
by Rabbi Ken SpiroHerzl launched the political framework for the modern State of Israel.
_(english).gif "History Crash Course #62: Return to the Land of Israel")
History Crash Course #62: Return to the Land of...
by Rabbi Ken SpiroThe re-birth of Israel is an unprecedented phenomenon in human history.
_(english).gif "History Crash Course #61: The Final Solution")
History Crash Course #61: The Final Solution
by Rabbi Ken SpiroHitler implemented his goal to eliminate all Jews from the planet.
_(english).gif "History Crash Course #60: The Holocaust")
History Crash Course #60: The Holocaust
by Rabbi Ken SpiroWhile Nazi Germany systematically rounded up and executed Jews, the world closed its eyes and its doors.
_(english).gif "History Crash Course #59: The Face of Anti-Semitism")
History Crash Course #59: The Face of...
by Rabbi Ken SpiroEven in such civilized nations as France and the United States, anti-Semitism never died out.
_(english).jpg "History Crash Course #58: Jewish Life in America")
History Crash Course #58: Jewish Life in America
by Rabbi Ken SpiroJews gained untold riches in America, at the cost of their heritage and spirituality.
_(english).gif "History Crash Course #57: The Czars and the Jews")
History Crash Course #57: The Czars and the Jews
by Rabbi Ken SpiroGovernment-organized pogroms against the Jews deflected attention from the corrupt regime.
_(english).gif "History Crash Course #56: Pale of Settlement")
History Crash Course #56: Pale of Settlement
by Rabbi Ken SpiroThis area of Russia where Jews were most oppressed gave rise to amazing achievements.
_(english).gif "History Crash Course #55: Jews and the Founding of America")
History Crash Course #55: Jews and the Founding of...
by Rabbi Ken SpiroThe amazing story of Jewish influence on the founding fathers of American democracy.
_(english).jpg "History Crash Course #54: The Reform Movement")
History Crash Course #54: The Reform Movement
by Rabbi Ken SpiroGermans emphasized their loyalty to the "fatherland" in order to be accepted in mainstream society.
_(english).gif "Jerusalem: Jewish and Muslim Claims to the Holy City")
Jerusalem: Jewish and Muslim Claims to the Holy...
by Rabbi Ken SpiroJerusalem is at the center of the Arab-Israeli conflict. What are the spiritual, historical and political claims – from both sides?
_(english).jpg "History Crash Course #53: The Enlightenment")
History Crash Course #53: The Enlightenment
by Rabbi Ken SpiroThe Age of Reason gave Jews civil rights, but its emphasis on a Godless society was bound to backfire.
_(english).gif "History Crash Course #52: The Hassidic Movement")
History Crash Course #52: The Hassidic Movement
by Rabbi Ken SpiroInitially a movement largely of the poor and uneducated, Hassidism emphasized spirituality in everyday life.
_(english).gif "History Crash Course #51: The Kabbalists")
History Crash Course #51: The Kabbalists
by Rabbi Ken SpiroIn the 16th century, the Israeli mountaintop town of Tzfat became the center of Jewish mysticism.
_(english).gif "History Crash Course #50: Reformation and the Jews")
History Crash Course #50: Reformation and the Jews
by Rabbi Ken SpiroThe Reformation exposed the corruption of the Church. For the Jews it meant more bad news.
_(english).jpg "History Crash Course #49: The Jews of Poland")
History Crash Course #49: The Jews of Poland
by Rabbi Ken SpiroKing Boleslav of Poland invited the Jews, granting them unprecedented rights and privileges.
_(english).jpg "History Crash Course #48: The Inquisition")
History Crash Course #48: The Inquisition
by Rabbi Ken SpiroThe Inquisition sought to expose Jews who converted to Christianity but were still secretly Jewish.
_(english).jpg "History Crash Course #47: The Black Death")
History Crash Course #47: The Black Death
by Rabbi Ken SpiroThe Europeans didn't know what caused the bubonic plague, but had no trouble blaming the Jews.
_(english).gif "History Crash Course #46: Blood Libel")
History Crash Course #46: Blood Libel
by Rabbi Ken SpiroChristian accusations leveled against the Jews were extreme and irrational.
_(english).gif "History Crash Course #45: The Crusades")
History Crash Course #45: The Crusades
by Rabbi Ken SpiroThe Crusaders came to liberate the Holy Land from the "infidels" - and woe to any Jew who stood in their way.
_(english).gif "History Crash Course #44: The Jews of Spain")
History Crash Course #44: The Jews of Spain
by Rabbi Ken SpiroSpain was the Medieval golden land of opportunity for Jews.
_(english).jpg "History Crash Course #43: The Jews of Babylon")
History Crash Course #43: The Jews of Babylon
by Rabbi Ken SpiroThe oldest and most stable of Jewish communities was spared the ravages of holy warriors.
