Jewish History Nerds
Whoever said history was boring clearly never heard these stories… Welcome to Jewish History Nerds! Join hosts Yael and Schwab each week as they take a dive into some deep cuts of Jewish history. From the Jewish Da Vinci Code to mass suicide pacts, explore true stories that feel larger than life.
Episodes
Al Jolson and The Jazz Singer: The Jewish Story Behind Hollywood’s First Talkie
Al Jolson was the biggest star in America, a Jewish immigrant who left the synagogue behind to conquer Broadway and Hollywood. Jonathan Schwab guides Yael Steiner through his journey from cantor's son to star of The Jazz Singer, the 1927 film that made synchronized sound a sensation and told a deeply Jewish story to all of America. Trading film history along the way, Yael and Schwab unpack assimil
The Girl Rabbi of the Golden West: Ray Frank Revisted
As we look back at Jews in the Americas for the 250th, we’re revisiting the story of Ray Frank, the “Girl Rabbi of the Golden West.” In the 1890s, she became a celebrated Jewish orator, leading High Holiday services and filling opera houses across the American West. But her story is about more than a woman breaking into a male world. It’s about how Jewish life was taking shape in the expanding Ame
How a Plate of Shrimp Changed American Judaism
The infamous 1883 Trafa Banquet was meant to celebrate America's first ordained rabbis. But a menu of shrimp, clams, oysters, and frog's legs in cream ignited a firestorm that changed American Judaism. Yael Steiner and Jonathan Schwab tell the story behind one of the most controversial meals in Jewish history.
If you like this show, please rate and write a review wherever you get your podcasts. A
Anarchism, Feminism...and Judaism? Emma Goldman Revisited
As we continue our series exploring Jews in American history, we're revisiting our episode on Emma Goldman, the revolutionary Jewish anarchist who helped shape feminism, free speech, and the American left. Schwab and Yael dive into the life and legacy of Emma Goldman, and ask what role did Red Emma's Judaism play in shaping her worldview?
If you like this show, please rate and write a review
How Emma Lazarus Gave the Statue of Liberty Its Voice
She wasn't an immigrant, but Emma Lazarus gave the Statue of Liberty its voice. In Part 2, Schwab and Yael explore how a wealthy poet became a champion for refugees, an early advocate for Jewish nationalism, and the author of the poem that redefined America's most iconic symbol: The New Colossus.
The New Colossus
By Emma Lazarus
Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,With conquering limb
Emma Lazarus Was Born Rich. Why Did She Speak for the Poor?
Emma Lazarus wrote The New Colossus, the poem on the base of the Statue of Liberty. But she was nothing like the huddled masses she described. In part 1 of a two part series, Schwab walks Yael through her short, incredible life: born in 1849 to a wealthy Sephardic family that had been in New York since before the Revolution, a literary prodigy published at seventeen, hobnobbing with Ralph Waldo Em
The Jews of 1789: Citizens
In Part 2, Yael guides Schwab through what happened after the Revolution, as America's 2,500 Jews became citizens of a brand new nation. Together they explore how the Constitution and the Bill of Rights transformed religious liberty from a privilege into a constitutional right, redefining what it meant to be Jewish in the United States.
Note: All states ratified the Constitution in 1790, the ame
The Jews of 1776: The American Revolution
A broker who bankrolled the Continental Army and died penniless. An officer who refused pork in a British prison. A bill sent to George Washington for a missing fork. In Part 1 of Jews and the American Revolution, Yael and Schwab explore how the colonies' 2,500 Jews helped shape the founding era, and how the new nation’s promise of religious freedom and citizenship was tested from the very beginn
Why The First Jews in Colonial America Nearly Vanished
Well over a century before the Declaration of Independence, a boatload of Jewish refugees landed in New Amsterdam with no money, no synagogue, and a governor who desperately wanted them gone. What followed was a century of scrappy survival — building communities in port cities from Newport to Charleston, pioneering mutual aid societies, suing for the right to do guard duty, and trying very hard no
Jewish Pirates and the Caribbean
Were there really Jewish pirates in the Caribbean? The answer is far more complicated (and fascinating) than the legend. From Samuel Pallache, the so-called Pirate Rabbi, to the thriving Jewish communities of Curaçao and beyond. Schwab walks Yael through the story of Jews navigating empire, trade, exile, and opportunity in the Americas.
This is the second episode in a mini series on Jews in the
The First Jews in the Americas: Fleeing the Inquisition to Brazil
Please fill out this short survey. Go to: unpacked.bio/podsurvey. We want to hear from you!
Fleeing the Inquisition, Crypto-Jews who had been forced to hide their faith for generations found refuge in Recife, Brazil — and for the first time, rebuilt Jewish life in the open. When Recife fell, twenty-three Jewish refugees set sail for New Amsterdam, launching the birth of Jewish America. Sc
Yitzhak Rabin: Not the Peacenik You Think He Was | with Noam Weissman
Please fill out this short survey. Go to: unpacked.bio/podsurvey. We want to hear from you!
Jewish History Nerds welcomes its first-ever guest, Noam Weissman, host of Unpacking Israeli History. Yael, Schwab and Noam explore the life and legacy of Yitzhak Rabin through the lens of Itamar Rabinovich's Yitzhak Rabin: Soldier, Leader, Statesman from the Jewish Lives series. Rabin's life is th
The Real Reason Anne Frank Became a Global Symbol
June 12th marks Anne Frank’s birthday, and it was on her 13th birthday that she received the diary that would later become one of the most widely read books in the world. Anne Frank remains one of the most recognizable voices in Jewish history, and one of the most misunderstood.
In this bonus episode sponsored by the Jewish Lives series from Yale University Press, Schwab walks Yael through Ruth
King David: A Divided Heart
Few figures in all of Jewish history are as celebrated, as contradicted, and as human as King David. But how well do we really know him? We're kicking off new bonus episodes in partnership with the Jewish Lives series from Yale University Press by going back to the Hebrew Bible. Drawing from Rabbi David Wolpe's David: The Divided Heart, Yael and Schwab unpack the shepherd-turned-king who wrote ou
New Episodes, Coming Next Week
Please fill out this short survey. Go to: unpacked.bio/podsurvey. We want to hear from you!
Yael and Schwab are back — and this season, they're diving into the history of Jews in the Americas, just in time for the US's 250th birthday. But first: special episodes sponsored by The Jewish Lives Series.
Catch up on past episodes, subscribe wherever you listen.
If you like this show, please
Voices of the Warsaw Ghetto: A Yom HaShoah Re-Release
Please fill out this short survey. Go to: unpacked.bio/podsurvey. We want to hear from you!
Yael and Schwab revisit the remarkable story of the Oneg Shabbos archive from the Warsaw Ghetto in honor of Yom HaShoah.
The tins held the second of three caches of the Oneg Shabbos archives: a collection by ordinary people turned archivists who risked their lives to preserve the darkest moment
The Haggadah: The Book of the People of the Book
Please fill out this short survey. Go to: unpacked.bio/podsurvey. We want to hear from you!
The Haggadah is the most widely read Jewish book in the world, and yet it was never supposed to be a book at all. Yael takes Schwab through its surprising history: how an oral commandment became rabbinic debate, evolved into illuminated medieval manuscripts, and ended up as 60 million free copies
Albert Einstein: Was He a Zionist? (Part 2)
Please fill out this short survey. Go to: unpacked.bio/podsurvey. We want to hear from you!
Jonathan Schwab and Yael Steiner tackle one of Jewish history's most debated questions: was Albert Einstein a Zionist? From Nazi Germany naming him public enemy number one to eventually being offered the presidency of Israel, Schwab traces Einstein's complicated, lifelong relationship with Zionism.
Albert Einstein: Rebel. Reject. Genius. (Part 1)
Please fill out this short survey. Go to: unpacked.bio/podsurvey. We want to hear from you!
Before Albert Einstein became the wild-haired icon who changed how we understand the universe, he was a struggling patent clerk with a rejected dissertation, no job prospects, and a messy personal life. But he had time to spare and a mind that wouldn't stop. In this first episode of a two-part seri
The Girl Rabbi of the Golden West: Ray Frank
Please fill out this short survey. Go to: unpacked.bio/podsurvey. We want to hear from you!
Ray Frank was a gifted Jewish teacher, journalist, and speaker who became a sensation in the American West in the 1890s. Crowds packed opera houses to hear her preach, newspapers called her the “Girl Rabbi of the Golden West,” and communities begged her to lead them. But Ray Frank refused the title
Gambling Addict, Renaissance Rabbi? Leone da Modena
Please fill out this short survey. Go to: unpacked.bio/podsurvey. We want to hear from you!
What happens when a rabbi becomes a compulsive gambler?
Yael and Schwab explore the life of Rabbi Leone de Modena, a remarkable Renaissance thinker from the Venetian ghetto. A prodigy, prolific writer, and the author of the first full-length Hebrew autobiography, Modena was also a famous preacher
The Other Hasidim: Medieval Jews Who Rejected Joy
Please fill out this short survey. Go to: unpacked.bio/podsurvey. We want to hear from you!
What happens when trauma reshapes religious life, and suffering itself becomes sacred?
This week, Jonathan Schwab introduces Yael Steiner to the Hasidei Ashkenaz, a small but intense medieval movement that emerged in 12th–13th century Germany after the Crusades of 1096. Living in the shadow of vio
The Rosenbergs: Atomic Spies or Scapegoats?
Please fill out this short survey. Go to: unpacked.bio/podsurvey. We want to hear from you!
In 1953, Ethel and Julius Rosenberg were sent to the electric chair. They were condemned by a Jewish judge, and executed on a Friday night. The charge: espionage. The backdrop: Cold War hysteria. This week, Yael Steiner and Jonathan Schwab reframe the story. Yael explores the Jewish response to t
She Did What No Jewish Woman Had Done. Then Told Women to Stay Home
Please fill out this short survey. Go to: unpacked.bio/podsurvey. We want to hear from you!
In 1609, Rivka Tiktiner did something no Jewish woman had ever done before: she published a book. Meneket Rivka, printed in Prague, is the earliest surviving full-length work by a Jewish woman—written in Yiddish yet steeped in serious Torah scholarship. This week on Jewish History Nerds, Jonathan
Leon Trotsky: The Reluctant Jew Behind the Russian Revolution
Please fill out this short survey. Go to: unpacked.bio/podsurvey. We want to hear from you!
Leon Trotsky’s name gets thrown around a lot—but the story behind it is darker and stranger than most realize. This week, Yael Steiner walks Schwab through Trotsky’s rise from an assimilated Jewish childhood in Ukraine to revolution, Lenin’s inner circle, and the founding of the Red Army. From a
Secret Jews: Samuel Schwarz’s Discovery of Portugal’s Crypto-Jews
Please fill out this short survey. Go to: unpacked.bio/podsurvey. We want to hear from you!
This week, Jewish History Nerds explores the extraordinary story of Portugal’s secret Jews—families forced into hiding who preserved Judaism for centuries after the Inquisition. Through Samuel Schwarz’s accidental 1925 discovery, Jonathan Schwab and Yael Steiner reveal whispered prayers, hidden r
He Could Have Escaped the Nazis. He Stayed With the Orphans: Janusz Korczak
Please fill out this short survey. Go to: unpacked.bio/podsurvey. We want to hear from you!
Yael Steiner and Jonathan Schwab are back for a new season of Jewish History Nerds, starting with the remarkable story of Janusz Korczak—the Jewish-Polish pediatrician and educator who insisted children are full human beings, not “human becomings.” Korczak pioneered radical ideas about children’
Jewish History Nerds is BACK!
Jewish History Nerds is back! Hosts Jonathan Schwab and Yael Steiner return with a new slate of smart, engaging stories from Jewish history—blending deep research with curiosity, humor, and lively conversation. Each week, they take turns exploring a fascinating figure or moment, asking big questions, learning together, and inviting listeners into the journey. This season spans famous and forgotten
Revisiting Hebrew Hammer: The True Story of Hannukah
Season 5 is coming soon. In the meantime, to celebrate Hanukkah, we’re revisiting one of our favorite episodes from our very first season.
Ah, Chanukah. That festive time of year where we light candles, indulge in fried foods, and celebrate… a brutal civil war? Join Yael and Schwab as they complicate the story we all thought we knew. What did the Maccabees really fight for? How should we feel abo
Listener Survey is Here
This survey has expired. Thanks for listening and see you next season.
If you like this show, please write a review wherever you get your podcasts. And be in touch. Write to us at nerds@unpacked.media.
The JNF Blue Box: How Loose Change Helped Build Israel
In this season finale, Yael Steiner and Jonathan Schwab explore the powerful and surprising story of the Jewish National Fund's iconic blue tzedakah box—also known as the JNF "Blue Box." What began as a nostalgic household object for many Jewish families turns out to be one of the most influential and controversial symbols in modern Zionist history. Discover how this simple tin box, known as a "pu
The Judensau: The Anti-Jewish Image Still Carved on German Churches
This week, Schwab and Yael dive into one of the most disturbing and enduring symbols of antisemitism in European history: the Judensau, or “Jew Pig.” From its origins in 13th-century German churches to its persistent presence in modern cathedrals like those in Cologne and Wittenberg, this grotesque motif—depicting Jews in degrading, obscene interactions with pigs—embodied and perpetuated centuries
When Jews Thrived in India: The Cochin Copper Plates
This week, Jonathan Schwab and Yael Steiner explore the rich history of some of India’s Jewish communities, including the caste-influenced divisions among the so-called "Black Jews, White Jews, and Brown Jews" of Cochin. Using the Cochin Copper Plates as an entry point, Yael and Schwab explore how Indian Jewish life flourished—largely free of antisemitism—until almost the entire population made Al
How Rome Used Coins to Humiliate the Jews
What can a coin tell us about history, power, and identity? This week, hosts Jonathan Schwab and Yael Steiner explore the Roman Judea Capta coins—propaganda minted to celebrate Rome’s brutal suppression of the Jewish revolt and the destruction of the Second Temple. Why would a global empire spotlight a small province like Judea on its currency? Schwab unpacks the fascinating world of numismatics,
Rome Stole the Menorah. Where is it Now?
This week, Yael Steiner and Jonathan Schwab trace the rich story of the menorah, one of Judaism’s oldest and most powerful symbols. The menorah has become an all encompassing symbol of Judaism in part because of the commercialization of the Christmas and Hanukkah season in the United States. But it has a complex history that started long before big box stores. From its origin in the Book of Exodus
How One Kid Accidentally Changed Biblical History: Jerusalem's Hidden Scrolls
Yael Steiner and Jonathan Schwab explore one of the most astonishing archaeological discoveries in Jewish history: two tiny silver scrolls unearthed in Ketef Hinnom, just outside Jerusalem's Old City. Dated to the First Temple period—centuries older than the Dead Sea Scrolls—these amulets contain the earliest known inscription of a Biblical verse: the Birkat Kohanim, or priestly blessing. Yael sha
The Synagogue Romans Accidentally Preserved for 1,700 Years: Dura Europos
Jonathan Schwab and Yael Steiner explore the story of the Dura Europos Synagogue—preserved beneath desert sand in what is modern day Syria, for 1,700 years. In this colorful episode, Schwab and Yael take listeners on a vivid tour through the 3rd century BCE synagogue, its extraordinary murals of biblical scenes, its mysterious inscriptions, and clues about ancient Jewish life, art, and community.
Buried Secrets: Jewish Magic, Demons, and the Babylonian Incantation Bowls
Yael and Schwab dig into one of the most fascinating artifacts of Jewish antiquity: the Babylonian incantation bowls. These 5th–6th century earthenware bowls, found primarily in modern-day Iraq, were used by Jews—and their neighbors—as magical amulets to ward off demons, secure love, boost fertility, and protect homes. Whether you're into Jewish magic, rabbinic history, or just want to know how t
The First Mention of Israel: A Passover Special on the Merneptah Stele
Please fill out this short survey. Go to: unpacked.bio/podsurvey. We want to hear from you!
Yael and Schwab dive into one of the most fascinating—and oldest—archaeological artifacts ever discovered: the Merneptah Stele. We travel back to 1209 BCE to explore this 3,200-year-old slab of Egyptian granite, which contains the first historical mention of Israel. The episode explores what the
The Star of David: A Symbol That Means Everything—and Nothing
What does the Star of David really mean—and how did it become the symbol of Judaism and Jewish identity? In the Season 4 premiere of Jewish History Nerds, hosts Yael Steiner and Jonathan Schwab explore the history of the Star of David, also known as the Magen David or hexagram. From decorative motif to mystical symbol, from Jewish pride to Nazi persecution, this iconic six-pointed star carries a c
Season 4, Coming Next Week
Jewish History Nerds is back! Hosts Jonathan Schwab and Yael Steiner are here with a preview of season 4. Get ready to nerd out in a season devoted to the fascinating stories behind objects and symbols from Jewish history. Brush up on old episodes and subscribe to the show so you'll never miss an episode.
Be in touch. We want to hear from you. Write to us at nerds@unpacked.media.
Follow @unpa
The Secret Jewish Kingdom of...Yemen?
Ever wonder about the Jewish kings beyond David and Solomon? Join Yael and Schwab as they uncover the intriguing story of a lesser-known monarch from 5th century Yemen. Delve into the complex history of Yosef Dhu Nuwas, a Jewish convert who ascended to the throne of the ancient kingdom of Himyar.
If you like this show, please rate and write a review wherever you get your podcasts. Write to us at
Bertha Pappenheim: Life Beyond a Diagnosis
Have you ever felt the need to reinvent yourself? To break free from the constraints of expectations and redefine your own path? Join Yael and Schwab as they explore the legacy of Bertha Pappenheim, aka Sigmund Freud's Anna O, a remarkable Jewish woman who defied societal norms and transcended the confines of her diagnosis. From her pioneering advocacy for women's rights to her profound influence
Rav Saadia Gaon: In Our Gaonic Era
You may have heard of some of the greats of rabbinic history. But even if you've heard of Rav Sa'adia Gaon, you probably don't know his wild story. Join Yael and Schwab as they dive into the Gaonic era and find out what's so special about this transitional figure.
If you like this show, please rate and write a review wherever you get your podcasts. Write to us at nerds@unpacked.media. We really w
The Diary of Glikl: Discovering the Exceptional within the Everyday
Forget philosophers and historians, welcome to the world of Glikl, an ordinary yet extraordinary Jewish woman from 18th-century Germany. Join Yael and Schwab to explore the diary of Glikl, as she candidly shares her personal struggles and triumphs, offering a profound glimpse into the human experience, with an authenticity and vulnerability that still resonates today.
If you like this show, pleas
Revisionist Zionism: Jabotinsky's Journey From Vladimir to Ze'ev
Lately it seems all anyone can talk about is... Zionism. But what even is Zionism? Jump into the world of Revisionist Zionist leader, Vladimir Jabotinsky, exploring his unique, and somewhat paradoxical, vision of zionism and a Jewish homeland: a delicate balance of strength and diplomacy. Join Yael and Schwab as they explore Jabotinsky's divergence from 'mainstream' Zionism, his advocacy for terri
Mystical Hasidism: Hillel Ba'al Shem's Enchanted Journey
Join Yael and Schwab as they delve into the world of 18th-century Jewish mysticism through the life of Hillel Ba'al Shem and his manuscript "Sefer HaCheshek." Exploring failed miracles and comedic exorcisms with humor and humility, they contrast Hillel's legacy with the revered Ba'al Shem Tov, uncovering profound philosophical insights and historical context, from Kabbalah to controversies surroun
Chronicles of A Talmud Girl Boss
Embark on a captivating journey through the extraordinary life of Devorah Romm, a pioneering businesswoman in 19th-century Lithuania, who reshaped the literary landscape of Eastern European Jewish communities. Whether breaking copyright rules, crafting the opulent Vilna Shas, implementing a groundbreaking business strategy, or obtaining rare manuscripts from the Vatican, Devorah was unafraid of ta
The First Female Rabbi?: Maiden of Ludmir
Welcome to Ludmir, Ukraine. The year is 1806, and the revolutionary Hannah Rachel Vermermacher, also known as the Maiden of Ludmir, is shaking up the traditional Jewish world. Born into affluence, Hannah Rachel's life took a transformative turn, leading her to embrace the role of a Hasidic rabbi, or rebbe. Despite facing objections and rumors, she chose an independent path, attracting followers se
Innovation or Assimilation? The Moses Mendelssohn Story
Moses Mendelssohn faced the intricate challenges of being a Jew in an enlightened European setting. Despite impactful contributions, his legacy includes challenges faced by his family and questions about the long-term impact of his ideas on Jewish identity. Join Schwab and Yael as they explore the complex story of Moses Mendelssohn, and delve into the intricacies of Jewish identity.
If you like t
Graetz's Balancing Act: Modernity and Judaism
Meet Heinrich Graetz, the trailblazing historian who transformed Jewish history. Born into 19th-century Germany, Graetz challenged norms and bridged the gap between Orthodox and academic worlds. Join us as we unravel Graetz's legacy and explore the evolving landscape of Jewish identity through his groundbreaking work. In this episode, hosts Schwab and Yael explore the life and pioneering work of 1
Season 3, Coming Next Week
We’re back for Season 3. We’ll still be unpacking awesome stories, dialing up the nerdiness, and leaning in to Jewish history. Get ready, and brush up on past episodes.
Are you ready?
Sarah Schenirer: A Revolutionary Traditionalist
100 years ago, in Krakow, Poland, Sarah Schenirer changed female Jewish education forever. Explore the extraordinary life of Sarah Schenirer, the pioneering force who fearlessly merged tradition and women's rights in Orthodox Judaism. Uncover her creation of the groundbreaking Beis Yaakov school system, challenging societal norms while upholding Orthodox values. Join us as we delve into the comple
The Abduction of Edgardo Mortara
Join Yael and Schwab as we unravel the gripping story of a young Jewish boy forcibly taken from his family by the Catholic Church, sparking international outcry and shaping the course of religious tensions. Discover the surprising twists and turns that led Edgardo Mortara to embrace his captors' faith, becoming a devoted Catholic priest with a mission to convert his own people.
If you like this s
Golden Age of Spanish Jewry: A Tapestry of Coexistence
Schwab and Yael unravel the vibrant tapestry of the Golden Age of Spanish Jewry, an era of remarkable cultural exchange and collaboration between Muslims, Jews, and Christians. Explore the rich history, intellectual achievements, and creative contributions of the Jewish community during this extraordinary period of coexistence in the Iberian Peninsula. Discover the intricate interplay of cultures
Hannah Szenes: Defiance Amidst Darkness
In this gripping episode, join Schwab and Yael as they delve into the extraordinary life of Hannah Szenes, a talented Hungarian poet who defied the Holocaust. From her escape to pre-state Israel to her daring mission behind enemy lines, discover the incredible bravery of a woman who refused to yield to the Nazis. Uncover the untold story of Hannah Szenes and explore the enduring legacy of her unyi
Wuhsha the Broker: Excavations from the Cairo Geniza
Discovered in the Cairo Geniza, the story of the remarkable exploits of this 11th century trader push the boundaries of what we may have thought was typical of Jewish women in medieval Egypt. But before we even get there, we have to understand what the Cairo Geniza is, and why it helps us to understand Jewish history.
If you like this show, please rate and write a review wherever you get your pod
"Resurrecting" Judaism?: Donato Manduzio's Journey
Donato Manduzio was just a simple man in an Italian village - until he read the Bible, and began his quest to bring back what he thought was a dead, ancient faith. Not only did Donato embrace Judaism, he convinced several dozen of his fellow villagers in San Nicandro to join him in this spiritual journey. Schwab and Yael explore this wild story and ask, how the heck do we decide not only who is a
Johannes Eisenmenger: Deception, Faith, and Antisemitism
Learn about the bonkers life of Johannes Eisenmenger, a man who spent 19 years under false pretenses within the Jewish community. Over those 19 years, he meticulously studied the Talmud, and eventually wrote a wild 2000-page text about the evils of the Talmud. In this episode, Yael and Schwab explore the personal motives, societal implications, and long-lasting effects of his actions. Join us as w
Sarra Coppia Sullam: A 17th Century Queen Esther?
You might not be quite as big of a fan of epistolary romances as Yael, but you'll still love the story of Sarra Coppia Sullam. Sullam, a Jewish Venetian woman of 17th century, was most well-known for her literary salons, the public accusations of heresy against her, and most salaciously, her pen pal love affair with the Genoese monk named Ansaldo Cebà. Come for the story, stay for the drama, as Sc
Emma Goldman: Anarchism, Feminism...and Judaism?
This week, Schwab and Yael dive into the life and legacy of Emma Goldman, the influential Jewish anarchist activist who made waves in early 20th-century America. Learn about her contributions to the development of feminism and her impact on the American left. Join us as we explore the life of this revolutionary figure who inspired and challenged the status quo. But also, Schwab and Yael ask, what
Herod the Great: Madness & Majesty
Delve into the enigmatic life of King Herod the Great, the infamous Judean ruler whose legacy intertwines madness and monumental achievements. Explore his transformative public works projects and unravel the dark side of his rule. Join Schwab and Yael as they examine the complex reign of a king who changed the face of ancient Judea forever.
If you like this show, please rate and write a review wh
Season 2 Coming!
We’re back!
By popular demand, Jewish History Nerds is back for another season. Wait - what? Jewish History NERDS? That's right. This new name reflects exactly who we - and all of you - are - proud Jewish History nerds. But nothing is changing. We’ll still be unpacking awesome stories, but as our true selves: Jewish History Nerds.
Are you ready?
Yalla, let’s do this!
Introducing: Unpacking Israeli History, Season 4!
Jewish History Unpacked introduces another podcast from Unpacked: Unpacking Israeli History. Season 4 just launched, and we're running the first episode here, entitled Ma'alot: 30 Seconds That Devastated A Nation.
It was supposed to be a fun field trip. A little celebration in honor of Israel’s 26th birthday. Over a hundred religious high school students, exploring northern Israel and sleeping un
Babatha: The Jewish Mom of Ancient Times
We've talked this season about some biggggg characters. Josephus, Napoleon, Shabbetai Zvi. And this week, meet...Babatha. A wholly unremarkable woman, except for the world she opened up for us through the documents found in her abandoned handbag...2,000 years ago. This week, Schwab and Yael explore gender and rights, Roman bureaucracy and the many legal systems in 2nd century Judea, and the value
Eternal Outsider: The Uriel D'Acosta Story
Every community has its weirdos. And in 17th century Amsterdam, the Jewish community’s resident weirdo was Uriel D’Acosta: converso, refugee, passionate Jew, and… dangerous heretic?
Join Yael and Schwab as they explore D’Acosta’s controversial legacy — from his influence on Spinoza to his ostracism at the hands of the Dutch Jewish community. And decide for yourself: what lessons does the story of
Saul/Paul of Tarsus: Nice Jewish Boy?
How did a nice Jewish boy wind up a Christian apostle? Meet Saul/Paul of Tarsus, the man responsible for, well, Christianity.
Like Jesus, Saul was a Jew. But unlike Jesus, Saul preached a completely modified version of Judaism. A version that eventually transformed into the Christianity we know today.
Yael and Schwab ask, why are we talking about Christianity on a Jewish history podcast? When di
Holy Fire: Voices of the Warsaw Ghetto
In December of 1950, a construction worker happened upon a cache of old milk tins buried in the Warsaw Ghetto, the contents of which upended our understanding of the Holocaust.
The tins held the second of three caches of the Oneg Shabbos archives: a collection by ordinary people turned archivists who risked their lives to preserve the darkest moment of Jewish history. Among the photographs and di
Hebrew Hammer: The True Story of Hanukkah
Ah, Chanukah. That festive time of year where we light candles, indulge in fried foods, and celebrate… a brutal civil war? Join Yael and Schwab as they complicate the story we all thought we knew. What did the Maccabees really fight for? How should we feel about their legacy? And who is Helen?
If you like this show, please rate and write a review wherever you get your podcasts. Write to us at ner
Of Ports, Popes, and Pocketbooks
No one expects the Spanish Inquisition… to have given rise to two of the most powerful Jewish women in history.
You may not have heard of Dona Gracia Mendes or Benvenida Abrabanel. You may not have learned about the vastly different ways they attempted to use their power in order to stop the persecution of Jews in the papal states. And you may not have considered the way that Gracia and Benvenida
Khazaria...A Jewish Empire In Europe?
Jews don’t seek converts. There are no Jewish missionaries, no street preachers, no televangelists.And yet, Jewish legend tells of an 8th century pagan king who converted his entire empire to Judaism.
Schwab and Yael ask, why? Why would anyone choose to become Jewish in 8th century Europe -- historically, not the friendliest place for Jews? Is this story fact, fiction, or something in between? If
Shabbetai Tzvi: A (Bonkers) False Messiah Story
Take survey here: https://jewishunpacked.com/jhusurvey
You've probably never met a character as colorful as Shabbetai Tzvi. The 16th century Jewish mystic and rabbi led thousands of Jews to leave their homes and possessions to follow him as their Messiah. With the encouragement of his hypeman, Nathan of Gaze, Shabbetai Tzvi was revered and loved, picking up followers left and right...until the Su
Does 'Liberte, Fraternite, Egalite' Include Jews?
When we think about the French Revolution, our mind jumps to Marie Antoinette, Les Miserable, “America’s favorite fighting Frenchman.” We don’t generally think “hey, are Jews even people?” But that was the question on Napoleon’s mind as he built the French Empire. In this week’s episode, Yael and Schwab break down all the factors in Napoleon’s decision-making process as he tried to figure out whet
Josephus: The Man Who "Invented" Jewish History
Please fill out this short survey. Go to: unpacked.bio/podsurvey. We want to hear from you!
Josephus Flavius is maybe one of the wildest characters in Jewish history, and that's saying something. That's largely because unlike most historians, he didn't just chronicle the story; as Yael tells Schwab in this week's episode, Josephus, or Yosef ben Matityahu, wrote himself into the story -
Trailer: Jewish History Nerds
Whoever said history was boring clearly never heard these stories…Welcome to Jewish History Nerds! Join hosts Yael and Schwab each week as they take a dive into some deep cuts of Jewish history. From the Jewish DaVinci code to mass suicide pacts, explore true stories that feel larger than life.
Recommended
Dateline NBC
صداستان: ساعتی با موسیقی
Becoming: HER with Nikki Spoelstra
Exposing Workplace Bullying
Everyday AI Made Simple - AI For Everyday Tasks
FemTech Focus
Not Too Sensitive - Empowering Highly Sensitive People (HSPs) To Own Their Sensitivity
Mother Daughter Relationship Show
Skin Deep MDs with Dr. Mamina Turegano, Dr. Lindsey Zubritsky and Dr. Jenny Liu
girl talk 🎧🫧
Booked, Blonde & Busy w/ Olivia Ponton
LOVE SOMEONE with Delilah
