The Story of the Jews with Simon Schama

On March 19, Simon Schama was joined onstage by Adam Hochschild to talk about The Story of the Jews, Mr. Schama's multimedia account of Jewish history from 1000 BCE to present times. He also showed clips from the five-part PBS documentary series. Although Judaism is the only religion that commands us to remember for future generations, Mr. Schama is determined to portray Jewish history not as a history of suffering or Jews as a people apart. It was an entertaining evening with two charming intellectuals on subjects usually discussed reverentially.

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[rmwein]

Professor Schama-You make being a Jewish a Privilege and a Honor. God Bless You in making our Jewish Heritage Come Alive

[HeyBruGJ]

Such a beautifully intelligent man. His choice of words are just so well appointed. The subject, book and movie are totally for me.

[jocelynconvery]

He is sooo engaging and is able to make history accessible

[jondybrodie]

I'm deaf and subtitles would be a HELP ! . An admirer ! Jonathan.

[unoriented_x]

Interesting evening talk; well worth taking notes; good to watch with friends.

[merccadoosis]

34:40 - 35:55 ~ a very interesting segment in which Professor Schama refers to historic Sefardic Jewish longing for beauty - "beauty can be a mitzvah". I believe that is a very good statement and one that reflects biblical teaching as beauty is life enhancing.

[ak]

The documentary is magic. Irresistible.

[mishapurser]

The siren for the memorial day is bone-chilling, it's so very powerful and moving you can't help but weep.

[macnosmutano]

This is one of the best documentary series I have ever watched.

[MeshFrequency]

Just bought the book. Cant wait to start reading it.

[markrichter]

Thanks for this enthralling introduction to the work of Simon Schama.

To my intense shame I have lived over fifty years calling myself a Christian and it is only in the last three years that I have understood where ant-semitism originates from.

It is for this reason amongst others that I no longer call myself a Christian.

Any Abrahamic faith that so completely turns upon it’s parent faith to commit such fanatical and unremittingly brutal patricide throughout its long and ignominious history as that of Christianity no longer has the right to say that it is the representative of a good god, let along the God of love.

[MaoRuiqi]

Great invitation to view further history of the Jews. Good work.

[aecc]

I tried to view this documentary series on PBS but it has very recently been removed from their programming.

[metalmadsen]

I hoped this would be a program or a documantary - Not just someone reading out loud.

[smilingdalia]

Thank you for this fascinating interview. Could you add a full transcript, please?

[spanixtanspanixtan]

This man has a great appeal of a narrator. I wish he would record parts of the whole book with the passing of time. His writing style may reflect his way of speaking and narrating events, still it lacks the rhythm of the voice, intonation, etc.

[RonCrown]

"He cries as he strikes you"
Should sum it up perfectly

[leonel]

Jews are one of a thousand human tribes. Humanity will be better off as all these countless tribes give up feeling superior and cooperate better.

[mollystreames]

I thought it was going to be the documentary itself schama has done some great ones which was the reason I clicked on the thumbnail

[mikeluna]

Just starting watching this, but will they show the mass conversion of the Khazars to Judaism??? I'm interested in the occult religion of the Khazars.