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 21^st century.

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History Crash Course #6: Isaac and His Sons

by Rabbi Ken Spiro

History repeats: The groove that Abraham, Isaac and Jacob carve will be for their descendants.

History Crash Course #5: The Promised Land

by Rabbi Ken Spiro

God gave Abraham the Land of Israel as a laboratory to create a model nation for the world.

History Crash Course #4: Abraham's Journey

by Rabbi Ken Spiro

Abraham gave rise to a nation of Hebrews -- people who live "on the other side."

History Crash Course #3: The World of Abraham

by Rabbi Ken Spiro

By understanding the character of Abraham, the "proto-Jew", one can understand what Jews are all about.

History Crash Course #2: The Bible as History

by Rabbi Ken Spiro

An enormous amount of information in the Bible has been borne out by archeology, through indirect or circumstantial evidence.

History Crash Course #1: Why Study History

by Rabbi Ken Spiro

Jewish history teaches not only to avoid past mistakes, but to understand where destiny is leading us.

Alexander and the Jews

by Rabbi Ken Spiro

The pivotal scene that you won't see in any movie sets the stage for the story of Chanukah.

The Impact of the Bible: #4 - "Proclaim Liberty throughout the Land..."

by Rabbi Ken Spiro

Jewish thought heavily influenced the Founding Fathers and the fledgling United States.

The Impact of the Bible #3: In God We Trust

by Rabbi Ken Spiro

The heavily Bible-influenced Puritans bring the Word to the New World.

The Impact of the Bible: #2 - Protestants and Puritans

by Rabbi Ken Spiro

The printing press spreads the word. The Reformation seizes the Church and spreads to Western governments.

The Impact of the Bible

by Rabbi Ken Spiro

The Bible is the best selling book in human history. Its moral, spiritual and even political impact has been profound and unmistakable. How did that come to be?