How old is jewish civilization

After 40 years in the Sinai desert, Moses led them to the Land of Israel, which is cited in The Bible as the land promised by G-d to the descendants of the patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob Genesis The people of modern-day Israel share the same language and culture shaped by the Jewish heritage and religion passed through generations starting with the founding father Abraham ca.

Thus, Jews have had a continuous presence in the land of Israel for the past 3, years. Before his death, Moses appointed Joshua as his successor to lead the 12 tribes of Israel. The rule of Israelites in the land of Israel started with the conquests and settlement of 12 tribes under the leadership of Joshua ca. From this year onwards, the region was ruled or controlled by a succession of superpower empires of the time in the following order: Babylonian, Persian, Greek Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine Empires, Islamic and Christian crusaders, Ottoman Empire, and the British Empire.

In the Diaspora scattered outside of the Land of Israel , they established rich cultural and economic lives and contributed significantly to the societies where they lived. Yet, they continued their national culture and prayed to return to Israel through the centuries. In the first half of the 20th century, there were major waves of immigration of Jews back to Israel from Arab countries and Europe. Despite the Balfour Declaration , the British severely restricted the entry of Jews into Palestine, and those living in Palestine were subject to violence and massacres by Arabs mobs.

Despite all the hardships, the Jewish community prepared itself for independence openly and in clandestine.

On May 14, , the day that the last British forces left Israel, the Jewish community leader, David Ben-Gurion, declared independence, establishing the modern State of Israel see the Declaration of independence. Arab states have jointly waged four full-scale wars against Israel:. Despite the numerical superiority of the Arab armies, Israel defended itself each time and won.

After each war, Israeli army withdrew from most of the areas it captured see maps. Arabs looted and burned a three block Jewish business district in Jerusalem on December 2, the first day of a three day Arab general strike during which 20 Jews and 15 Arabs were killed. When British troops failed to intervene, Haganah came into the open for the first time in eight years to restrain large scale Jewish retaliation and also guard Jewish districts.

Some Haganah men were arrested for possessing weapons. The curfew was extended to outlying roads on December 3 to stop stonings of Jewish traffic and keep rural Arabs out of the capital. On December 2, Haganah claimed to have mobilized 10, men in the intercity trouble zone, and the Arab Legion of Trans-Jordan reported on this date that it had reinforced Jaffa.

Seven Jews were killed in Jaffa-Tel Aviv on this date. There were lesser attacks in Haifa this week. On the same day Arabs attacked the Jewish part of Aleppo. On the Jaffa-Tel Aviv boundary, which also is under around-the clock curfew, the week's heaviest battle was a six-hour clash between Haganah and Arabs on December 3 in which seven Jews and five Arabs were killed and 75 persons injured.

The United States Department of State announced on December 5, that they were placing an embargo on all American arms shipments to the Middle East. On December 5, British military reinforcements were sent to Aden after four days of Arab-Jewish fighting in which 50 Jews and 25 Arabs were killed. On December 13, bombings by the Irgun killed at least 16 Arabs and injured 67 more in Jerusalem and Jaffa and burned down a hundred Arab houses in Jaffa.

In Syria, an anti-Jewish attack in rebaliation for the Irgun actions burned down a 2,year old synagogue in Aleppo and destroyed the priceless Ben-Asher Codex, a 10th century Hebrew Bible of original Old Testament manuscripts. Regular troops of the Arab Legion of the Trans-Jordan Army killed 14 Jews and wounded nine Jews, two British soldiers and one Arab when they atbcked a bus convoy approaching their camp near Lydda.

The Arabs said the Jews attacked them first. British troops came to the aid of police sending off a raid by Arabs on the Jewish settlement of Nevatim, seven miles west of Beersheba.. Haganah killed 10 Arabs in a reprisal raid on Khisas in the north of the country.. Reliable reports from Damascus state that Arab guerrillas are massing there in preparation to launching an attack into Palestine before the first of the year. Haganah carried out another said on Arabs by atbcking the village of Qazasa near Rehovoth.

One Arab was killed and two were wounded. Stern gang members machine-gunned two British soldiers in a Tel Aviv cafe. The Stern gang distributed leaflets reporting that Israel Levin, a member, was killed in Tel Aviv on December 24 for trying to betray a Stern Gang member. Irgun members kidnaped and flogged a Briitish major and thzee sergeans in rebliation for the flogging of Benjamin Kimkhim who was also sentenced to 18 years in prison on December 27 for robbing a bank.

The major, E. Each got 18 lashes, the same number Kimkhim seceived. The Dollis Hill Synagogue in London was set on fire and 12 sacred scrolls wese destroyed by argry British citizens..

UN proposes the establishment of Arab and Jewish states in the Land. Three Jews are hanged for involvement in Acre Prison break and two British sergeants are executed in reprisal. Scrolls dating from approximately 22 B. A series of bombings inflicted heavy Arab casualties.

The U. War Assets Administration received orders from Army Secretary Kenneth Royal to cancel its sale of tons of M-3 explosive to a purchasing agent of the Jewish Agency , which got 73 tons out of the country before the rest was seized. Following the deaths of ten Jews and two Arabs killed in a battle outside Jerusalem , British authorities stated that Arabs, Jews, 19 civilians and 12 British policemen a total of 1, had been killed in an eight-week period that 1, Arabs, Jews, 13 civilians and 37 British officers had been wounded.

The beginning date of the Hebrew calendar, according to scholar Rabbi Yossi ben Halafta, a 2 nd century Rabbi. Joseph becomes viceroy of Egypt. Jacob and his family join Joseph in Egypt. Jerusalem is a Canaanite city. The Philistines take over Gaza. David conquers the Jebusites and makes Jerusalem his capital.

Solomon builds the First Temple on Mount Moriah. Jeroboam I rules Israel, choses Shechem as his first capital, later moves it to Tirzah. Zimri kills Elah, but reigns just seven days before committing suicide, Omri chosen as King of Israel. Ahab, Omri's son, is killed in battle, Jezebel reigns as Queen.

Athaliah, Ahab and Jezebel's daughter, marries Jehoram, crown prince of Judah. Israelite Prophets Amos, Hosea, Isaiah. Northern Kingdom Israel destroyed by Assyrians ; 10 tribes exiled 10 lost tribes. Ahaz, King of Judah dismantles Solomon's bronze vessels and places a private Syrian altar in the Temple. Wells and springs leading to the city are stopped. First Jews return from Babylon in small numbers to rebuild the city and its walls.

Daniel 9 , Haggai Persian ruler Cyrus the Great conquers Babylonian Empire. Prophets second division of Jewish Scriptures recognized by some as Scripture. Gamaliel II excludes sectarians including Christians from the synagogues. Writings third and last division of Jewish Scriptures discussed and accepted as sacred scripture. Rabbi Akiva active in consolidating Rabbinic Judaism. Bar Kokhba rebellion Second Jewish Revolt. Antoninus Pius, Hadrian's sucessor, repeals many of the previously instituted harsh policies towards Jews.

Roman emperor Lucious Septimus Severus treats Jews relatively well, allowing them to participate in public offices and be exempt from formalities contrary to Judaism. However, he did not allow the Jews to convert anyone. Roman Emperor Caracalla allows free Jews within the empire to become full Roman citizens.

Sporadic persecution of Christianity by Rome. One of the first Christian councils, the Council of Elvira, forbids intermarriage and social interaction with Jews. Code of Constantine limits rights of non-Christians, is Constantine's first anti-Jewish act. Jerusalem Talmud compiled. Destruction of Jerusalem and the second Temple ,.

Hillel creates a new calendar based on the lunar year to replace the dispersed Sanhedrin , which previously announced the festivals. Hillel founds Beit Hillel, a school emphasizing tolerance and patience. Theodosis enacts a code prohibiting Jews from holding important positions involving money.

Jerusalem becomes part of Constantine's Byzantine Empire. Constantine forbids intermarriage with Jews and the circumcision of heathen or Christian slaves, declaring death as the punishment. An earthquake hits Israel, partially destroying Acre and incuring damage as far east as Jersusalem. Rebellion leader Mar Zutra usurps power from Kobad the Zenduk, establishing an independant Jewish state in Babylon that would last for seven years, until Zutra's forces defeated Zutra's army, killing him and instituted a harsh policy toward the remaining Jews.

Southern Arabian king Ohu Nuwas adopts Judaism , possibly as a rampart against the spread of Christianity. After Ravenna residents burnt down local synagogues , Ostrogoth ruler Theodoric orders the Italian town to rebuild the synagogues at their own expense. Recared of Spain adopts Catholicism, banning Jews from slave ownership, intermarriage and holding positions of authority. Pope Gregory the Great formulates the official Papal policy towards Jews, objecting to forced baptism and tolerating them according to the previous council's regulations.

Muhammad "the Prophet" of Islam. Persian invasion, Jews allowed to controll Jerusalem. Persians change policy toward Jews, forbid them from living within three miles of Jerusalem. Muhammad attacks Jewish Arabian tribes for refusing to convert to Islam. While proselytizing Arabia, Muhammad captures the Banu Kurara tribe and forces the group of about to chose between conversion and death.

Emperor Heraclius breaks his promise of protection to Jews, massacring any he found and forbidding them from entering Jerusalem. The Jewish tribe Kaibar defends itself against Muslim forces, negotiating a settlement in which half of their crops would go to Mohammed in exchange for peace. Muhammad dies, creating the four "rightly guided caliphs" of Islam.

Gaza becomes the first city in Palestine to be captured by Muslims. Muslim forces capture Caesarea , forcing the city's estimated , Jews to follow the Pact of Omar, which meant they had to pray quietly, not build new synagogues and not prevent Jews from converting to Islam.

Caliph Umar conquers Jerusalem and Jews are permitted to return to the city under Islam. Umayyad Dynasty of Islam in Damascus Syria. The 17th Council of Toledo convenes, passing a wide-ranging array of restrictions on the local Jewish community. Islam repulsed at Tours France , gateway to Europe. Anan Ben David, organizer of the Karaite sect that only believed in the literal Biblical writings and not the Oral law. Charlemagne, French Holy Roman Emperor, protected and helped develop Jewish culture in his kingdom, seeing Jews as an asset.

Jewish Kingdom of Khazar lasts over years, defending itself from the Muslims, Byzantines and Russians, finally subdued by Mongols under Genghis Khan.

Charlemagne's son, Louis the Pius, who succeeded his father as king, expanded his father's positive policies towards the Jews, like changing "market day" from Saturday Shabbat to Sunday. Office of the Exilarch was abolished after seven centuries, primarily because of dissention with the Muslims. Rabbi Gershon of Mainz, Germany , publishes a ban on bigamy. Egyptian Caliph Hakkim, who claimed to be divine, pressured all non-Muslims to convert and forced all Jews to wear a "golden calf" around their necks.

Earthquake causes structrual damage on Temple Mount. Samuel Hanagid becomes vizier of Granada. Benjamin of Tudela , Jewish traveller and historian, who wrote a famous journal called Sefer Hamassa'ot Book of Travels. First Crusade Begins rule in Jerusalem. Salah al-Din returns Jerusalem to Muslim rule. Visigothic ruler Sesbut prohibits Judaism after several anti-Jewish edicts are ignored.

Persian General Romizanes captures Jerusalem and allows Jews to run the city. The Persians renege on their promises and forbid Jews to settle within a three mile radius of Jerusalem. Although Chintilla decrees that only Catholics are permitted to live in Visogoth Spain , many Jews continue to live there. Visigoth King Erwig continues oppression of Jews, making it illegal to practice any Jewish rites and pressing for the conversion or emigration of the remaining Jews.

First account of Jews in England. Jews help Muslim invaders capture Spain , ending Visogoth rule and beginning a year period of relative peace, in which Jews were free to study and practice religion as they wished. In the wake of a narrow military defeat over Muslim forces, Leo III of Constantinople decided his nation's weakness lay in its heterogenious population, and began the forcible conversion of the Jews, as well as the " New Christians.

Iban Iashufin, King of the Almoravides, captured Granada and destroyed the Jewish community, the survivors fled to Toledo. Henry IV of Germany , who granted Jews favorable conditions whenever possible, issued a charter to the Jews and a decree against forced baptism. In the town of Blois, southwest of Paris, Jews are falsely accused of committing ritual murder killing of a Christian child and blood libel. Group of French and English rabbis make aliyah and settle in Israel.

The Church's Fourth Lateran Council decrees that Jews be differentiated from others by their type of clothing to avoid intercourse between Jews and Christians. Burning of the Talmud in Paris. In a special session, the Vienna city council forced Jews to wear the Pileum cornutum, a cone-shaped headress prevelent in many medieval woodcuts illustrating Jews.

Ramban Nachmanides arrives in Israel. King Edward of England banned usury and unsuccessfully encouraged Jews in agriculture, crafts and local trades.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, John Pectin, ordered all London synagogues to closed and prohibited Jewish physicians from practicing on Christians.

Blood libel in Munich, Germany results in the death of 68 Jews. A mob in Oberwesel, Germany kills 40 Jewish men, women and children after a ritual murder accusation.

Philip IV orders all Jews expelled from France , with their property to be sold at public auction. Similar to accusations made during the Black Plague, Jews were accused of encouraging lepers to poison Christian wells in France. Much of Europe blames the Black Plague on the Jews and tortured to confess that they poisoned the wells.

Basle burns Jews at the stake and forcibly baptizes children, expelling the city's other Jews. Pope Clement VI issues an edict repudiating the libel against Jews, saying that they too were suffering from the Plague. Samuel ben Meir Abulafia is arrested and tortured to death by King Pedro without any explination.

Emperor Wenceslaus expelles the Jews from Strassbourg and confiscate their property. After a priest was hit with some sand from a few small Jewish boys playing in the street, he insisted that the Jewish community was plotting against him and began a virulent campaign against the city's Jews, resulting in the massacre of thousands and the destruction of the city's synagogue and Jewish cemetery.

Pope Boniface continues the policy of Clement VI, forbidding the Christians to harm Jews, destroy their cemeteries or forcibly baptize them. Ferrand Martinez, archdeacon of Ecija, begins a campaign against Spanish Jewry, killing over 10, and destroying the Jewish quarter in Barcelona.

King Pedro I orders Spain not to harm the remaining Jews and decrees that synagogues not be converted into churches. Benedict XIII bans the study of the Talmud in any form, institutes forced Christian sermons and tries to restrict Jewish life completely.

Pope Martin V favorably reinstates old privleges of the Jews and orders that no child under the age of 12 can be forcibly baptized without parental consent. All Jews are expelled from Lyons, including the refugees from Paris who were expelled 20 years earliers. Pope Martin V issues a bull reminding Christians that Christianity was derived from Judaism and warns the Friars not to incite against the Jews.

Inquisition established in Spain. Participants in the First Crusade massacre Jews in several Central European cities, beginning centuries of pogroms linked to the Crusades. More than 5, Jews were murdered in Germany in several different attacks.

Count Emico of Leiningen, on his way to join a Crusade, attacked the synagogue at Speyers and killed all the defenders. Crusaders European Christians capture Jerusalem and massacre tens of thousands of the city's Jews. Germans, including German Jews, migrate to Poland. Jews from Muslim countries begin to settle in Byzantium.

Records of a Jewish gate in Kiev attest to the presence of a Jewish community there. Maimonides Rabbi Moses ben Maimon; Jewish scholar. Judah Halevi completes his influential philosophy of Judaism known as The Kuzari. Jews in Norwich, England , are accused of murdering a Christian child in what is believed to be the first ritual murder charge. Benjamin of Toledo writes of 40, Jews living in Baghdad , complete with 28 synagogues and 10 Torah academies. Saladin overthrows Fatimid dynasty in Egypt.

Jews attacked, over die after a six day standoff in York, England. Approximately 2, Jews live in England, enjoing more rights than Jews on the continent. Moses Maimonides completes The Guide to the Perplexed , considered the most important work of medieval Jewish thought. A group of rabbis from France and England settle in Palestine Eretz Yisrael , beginning what might be interpreted as Zionist aliyah.

First synagogue built in Vienna , a city where Jews enjoyed more freedom than in other areas of Austria. Deacon Robert of Reading, England, was burned for converting to Judaism, setting a precedent for the burning of "heretics". Stephen Langton, Archbishop of Canterbury and a prime mover of the Lateran Council, forbids Jews from building new synagogues, owning slaves or mixing with Christians. The Jewish community of Marrakech, Morocco , is reestablished, leading to massacres of Jews caused by Islamic political revolt and grassroots hatred.

First accusation of desecration of the Host the wafers used is Christian Mass - the blood libel - in Berlitz, Germany.

Rule by Tartars, Mongols, Ayybids, and Mamelukes. Fall of Islamic Abbasid dynasty to Hulagu Mongol. Moses de Leon of Spain completes a commentary of the Torah. Expulsion of Jews from England. Expulsion of Christian Crusaders from Syria.

Expulsions of Jews from France. Rise of the Ottoman Muslim dynasty in Turkey. Casimir the Great takes power in Poland and brings with him a sympathetic attitude toward the Jews, who benfit as a result. The Deggendorf Massacre. Jewish physician, Y'en Ch'eng is given the surname "Chao" as an honor by the Emperor. Philosopher, financier and scholar, Don Isaac Abravanel intercedes many times on behalf of his fellow Jews, including trying to stop Ferdinand from expelling them.

Following a fire in Posen where the original charter written by Casimir the Great granted the Jews "privileges," Casimir IV renews all their rights and makes his charter one of the most liberal in Europe. Astronomer and historian, Abraham Zacuto creates tables used by Columbus. Fall of Constantinople Istanbul to Ottoman Muslims.

Pope Nicholas V authorized the establishment of the Inquisition to investigate heresy among the Marranos. Isabella's severe anti-Jewish learnings influence Ferdinand and lead to the final expulsion of the Jews from Spain. First prayer book published in Soncino , Italy. The first complete edition of the Hebrew Bible is printed in Soncino , Italy. Christian expulsion of Muslim Moors from Spain. Christian expulsion of Jews from Spain , sending over , Jews fleeing: , Jews forced to leave Sicily.

Polish King Jan Olbracht's orders Jews to leave to leave Crakow for Kazimierz after they are blamed for a large fire that destroyed part of the city. Manuel of Portugal expels Jews from Portugal. The Ottoman's fight the Mamluks out of Gaza, Gaza is ruled for the next years by the Ridwan family. Jews in Venice are relegated to a ghetto, the most extreme segregation to which Jews had been submitted. First Yiddish book published in Kracow , Poland. The Prague Haggadah , which contains the oldest known printed Yiddush poem, is published.

Jews in the small community of Asolo, Italy were victims of a massacre, leaving 10 of the 37 Jewish residents dead. Ivan the Terrible becomes ruler of Russia and refuses to allow Jews to live in his kingdon. Shulhan Arukh code of Jewish law by Joseph Caro. Isaac Luria writes the Kabbalist in Safed. Dominance of Safavid Shiite Muslim dynasty in Iran. Dominance of Mughal Muslim dynasty in India. Rabbi , preacher and biblical commentator known for his brilliant sermons calling for self improvement, Ephraim Solomon of Lunshits.

In Brest Litovsk, the son of a wealthy Jewish tax collector, is accused of killing the family's Christian servant for ritual purposes. Brest Litovsk welcomes Jewish settlement. The leading Jewish composer of the late Italian Renaissance and the musical director of court of Mantua, Salamone de Rossi.

England defeats the Spanish Armada, weakening Spain and decreasing the reach of the Inquisition , espcially in the Netherlands. Built of wood, the entire Jewish quarter of Posen burned while then gentile population watched and pillaged. Rabbi, encyclopedist, physician and pupil of Galileo, Jose Solomon Delmedigo wrote over 30 works in math, geometry, chemistry, mechanics, philosophy and medicine. Esther Chiera, who held considerable influence in Sultan Murad III's court, was executed because of jealousy and the Sultan's desire for her assets.

Official Yom Kippur services are held for the first time in Amsterdam , though not without controversy. The Hamburg Senate decides to officially allow Jews to live in the city on the condition there is no public worship. Vincent Fettmilch, who called himself the "new Haman of the Jews," led a raid on a Frankfurt synagogue that turned into an attack which destroyed the whole community.

The Guild, led by Dr. Vincenz Fettmilch, the leader of a popular uprising targetting Jews in Frankfurt, Germany, is executed along with six of his companions. Holland's Prince Maurice of Orange allowed each each city to decide for itself whether to admit Jews. Jesuits arrives in Grodno, Poland and accused the Jews of blood orgies and host desecrations. Shah Abbasi of the Persian Sufi Dynasty increased persecution against the Jews forcing many to outwardly practice Islam. The Jews of Vienna were forced to move into a ghetto called Leopoldstadt.

Miguel and Isabel Rodreguese and five others were burned alive in front of the King and Queen of Spain after being discovered holding Jewish rites. Rhode Island grants religious liberty to Jews. More than 80 New Christians Jews who converted to Christianity were burned at the stake after the Inquisition caught them holding regular Jewish services in Lima, Peru.

Bogdan Chmelnitzki massacres , Jews in Poland. In the largest Auto de Fe ever held in the New World, crypto-Jews were accused of Judaizing, several were burned alive. John Casimir, upon ascending the Polish throne, negotiates a truce with Cosack leader and murderer of thousands of Jews, Bogdan Chmelnitzki. Jews readmitted to England by Oliver Cromwell. The first Jews gain the rights of citizens in America.

Jewish population in America numbers approximately First public Jewish synagogue in Berlin. England grants naturalization rights to Jews in the colonies. Parliament extends naturalization rights to Jews resident in England. Poland's Parliament centralizes power and aboloshes the Council of the Four Lands, a semi-autonomous Jewish governing body.

America merchant and philanthropist Judah Touro , funded first New Orleans synagogue. Moses Mendelssohn Jewish "enlightenment" scholar. Although usually considered more liberal than other states, Rhode Island refuses to grant Jews Aaron Lopez and Isaac Eliezer citizenship stating "no person who is not of the Christian religion can be admitted free to this colony. Portugal holds the last public Auto de Fe "Act of Faith," a ceremony where the Inquisition announces its punishments, usually a death sentence of burning at the stake.

Joseph II of Austria recinds the year old law requiring Jews to wear distinctive badges. Austrian Emperor Joseph II issued his edict of tolerance, allowing Jews to practice their religion freely. The Sultan of Morocco expells the Jews for the third time in recent years after they failed to pay an exorbitant ransom. Zionist author, journalist and and diplomat, Mordechai Manuel Noah. The Netherlands grants citizenship to Jews. Napoleon's army moves from Egypt, capturing Gaza and Haifa and gets as far north as Akko which is successfully defended by the British.

Moses Hess , author, socialist and Zionist. President Madison appoints Mordechai Noah as consul to Tunis and then rescinds the appointment when the Tunisians object to dealing with a Jew. Denmark grants citizenship to Jews. Although born a Jew, he converted to Protestantism and later became the father of Communism, Karl Marx. Rebecca Gratz establishes the first independent Jewish women's charitable society in Philadelphia. A royal decree officially abolished the Spanish Inquisition.

Well-known physician and early Zionist, Leon Pinsker. Reinterpretation of Russia's Conscription Law mandates 31 years of military service for Jews, beginning at age Greece grants citizenship to Jews.

Jewish Impressionist painter, whose works focused on the streets of Paris and landscapes, Camille Pissarro. Belgium grants citizenship to Jews. Although Jews had been living in Jamaica since , they are finally given the right to vote.

Canada grants Jews political rights. An earthquake in Tzfat and Tiberias kills four thousand people and damages monuments and archeological sites.

Jews are accused of murdering a Franciscan friar in the Damascus blood libel. First organized movement by American Jewry to protest false accusations of blood libel in Damascus, Syria. The first Hebrew printing press in India is established. The use of the word "Jew" as a verb comes into popular parlance in North America.

B'nai B'rith is organized, the first secular Jewish organization in the United States. Lewis Charles Levin was the first Jew elected to the U. Isaac Leeser publishes his translation of the Pentateuch from the Hebrew into English. Zionist leader Baron Edmond James de Rothschild.

Author, scholar and leader of the American Conservative movement, Solomon Schechter. In every part of Germany , excluding Bavaria, Jews had been granted granted civil rights, allowing Gabriel Riesser, a Jewish advocate, to be elected vice-president of the Frankfurt Vor Parliament and to become a member of the National Assembly.

An anti-Jewish riot erupts in Stockholm, Sweden. Isaac Leeser publishes his translation of the Bible into English, the first complete Anglo-Jewish translation of the Pentateuch. Sabato Morais, rabbi of Congregation Mikveh Israel in Philadelphia, denounces the evils of American slavery from his pulpit.

First neighborhood, Mishkenot Sha'ananim , built outside Jerusalem's walls. Frenchman Adolohe Cremieux launches the Alliance Israelite Universelle to defend Jewish rights and establish worldwide Jewish educational facilities. Father of Zionism, Theodore Herzl. Major modern Jewish composer of nine symphonies, Gustav Mahler.

Morris Raphall is the first rabbi to offer prayers at the opening session of Congress. Norway allows Jews to enter the country.

Judah Benjamin becomes attorney general of the Confederacy, the first Jew to hold a cabinet-level office in any American government. Essayist and publicist who headed the Jewish and Zionist Organization during the s, was editor of He-Tsefriah and published a history of Zionism, Nahum Sokolow.

General Ulysses S. Leon Pinsker writes Autoemancipation and argues for creation of a Jewish state. Switzerland , a hotbed of anti-Jewish edicts grants Jews equal rights only after threats by the United States, France and Britain. The original Ku Klux Klan is organized to maintain "white supremacy". Hungary passes legislation emancipating the Jews. Benjamin Disraeli becomes prime minister of Great Britain — and the first prime minister of Jewish descent in Europe. Sweden grants citizenship to Jews.

First Yiddish and Hebrew newspaper in America is published. Leading theologian of the Reform movement, refused to escape Nazi Germany and spent five years in Terezin Theresienstadt concentration camp , Leo Baeck.

Eric Weiss, better known as Harry Houdini , the master escape artist, was born into an orthodox home. New Hampshire becomes the last state to offer Jews political equality. Petah Tikvah Gate of Hope founded as agricultural colony by orthodox Jews. Zionist, physicist, Nobel Prize winner and discoverer of the special and general theory of relativity Albert Einstein. Ottoman government announces permission for foreign non-Ottoman Jews to settle throughout Ottoman Empire.

The word "pogrom" enters the English language, as Russian mobs begin a series of violent attacks against Jews and their property.

First halutz pioneering movement, Bilu , founded in Kharkov Russia. Some well-known events include:. The group also kidnapped and crucified Joseph ibn Naghrela, the Jewish vizier to the Berber king. The First Crusade: In the first of the Crusades —a series of medieval holy wars involving Christians and Muslims—thousands of Jews were killed, and many were forced to convert to Christianity.

Experts estimate about , people were ousted and tens of thousands died while trying to reach safety. The Holocaust: In the Holocaust , the most infamous of modern-day atrocities, the Nazis murdered more than 6 million Jews. During and after the Holocaust, many Jews returned to their homeland in the Middle East region known as Palestine and embraced Zionism , a movement for the creation of a Jewish state that emerged in 19th-century Europe.

In , Israel officially became an independent nation. David Ben-Gurion , one of the leading promoters of a Jewish nation state, was given the title of prime minister. This event was considered a success for the Jewish people who had tirelessly petitioned for an independent state in their homeland. However, tensions between Jews and Arabs living in Palestine escalated in the years since Israel became a state and are still ongoing today. Orthodox Judaism : Orthodox Jews are typically known for their strict observance of traditional Jewish law and rituals.

Orthodox Judaism is a diverse sect that includes several subgroups, including Hasidic Jews. This form started in the 18th century in Eastern Europe and holds different values than traditional or ultra-Orthodox Judaism.

Hasidic Jews emphasize a mystical experience with God that involves direct communion through prayer and worship. Chabad is a well-known Orthodox Jewish, Hasidic movement. Reform Judaism : Reform Judaism is considered a liberal category of the religion that values ethical traditions over strict observance of Jewish laws.

Followers promote progressive ideas and adaptation. Typically, conservative Jews honor the traditions of Judaism while allowing for some modernization. Reconstructionist Judaism : Reconstructionism dates back to when Mordecai Kaplan founded the Society for the Advancement of Judaism. Humanistic Jews celebrate Jewish history and culture without an emphasis on God. Passover : This holiday lasts seven or eight days and celebrates Jewish freedom from slavery in Egypt. Rosh Hashanah : Jews celebrate the birth of the universe and humanity during this holiday, which is also known as the Jewish New Year.

The High Holy Days are considered a time of repentance for Jewish people. Hanukkah commemorates the rededication of the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem after the Maccabees defeated the Syrian-Greeks over 2, years ago. Purim : This is a joyous holiday that celebrates a time when the Jewish people in Persia were saved from extermination.

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