Jeremy Shuback
Jeremy Shuback

1000 BCE

How did Judaism get its Name?

 
Christianity obviously named for Christ and Buddhism for Buddha. But what about Judaism? Learn how Judaism got its name from Judah, a son of Jacob and a man who would become the leader of an entire nation and eventually a religion.
 

500 BCE

Why is the Temple Mount so Controversial?

  • Starts/ends with brief overview of current political situation. Doesn’t answer any questions. Simply gives context.

  • Covers the Persians, Temples in this period, Cyrus the great

  • A summary of post destruction and dips into Muslim history. 

73 - 75 CE

Masada: A Window into Modern Israel

 
Masada is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Israel but it has a very dark past. Watch our animated explainer video to learn the brief Jewish history of this large ancient fortress and how its story has changed over time.
 

 

132 – 135 CE

Bar Kochba: The Worst Jewish Hero Ever

 
The Bar Kochba Revolt was a Jewish rebellion, led by Simon bar Kochba, against the Roman Empire that ultimately failed. Watch our explainer video to learn more about this important piece of Jewish history and how provides a lenses into contemporary Israel.

 

 

 300 BCE – 1st Century CE

Who Wrote the Bible?

  • The Great Assembly

  • The JEPD

  • Rabbinical view vs. Academic Opinions

  • Orthodox vs. Reform’s relation to the Bible

1st – 4th Century

Ancient Jewish Rabbis: A three minute primer

  • Historical context for Rabbis in Babylon and Rome

  • Potential to discuss Rabbi’s changing role over time

  • Could keep as straight forward informational piece, as there’s so much here.

 6th – 18th Century

How did Anti-Semitism Begin? Parts 1 & 2

  • Potentially covers Jewish jobs throughout history and relations with Muslims and Christians. 

  • This piece is currently set for ten minutes total. Could potentially expand into more parts.

8th Century

The Forgotten Jewish Empire: The Kingdom of Khazar

Talks about Khazar in relation to greater Byzantine empire.

Also discusses migration of the Jewish people in a broader context and how the center of Judaism moved from place to place depending on the century.

10th – 12th Century

Judaism and the Crusades        

Christianity and anti-Semitism continued

11th Century

Rashi: The Rabbi who started “Modern” Rabbinic Commentary

In addition to discussing Rashi, also discusses how Judaism changed under Christian rule.

11th Century

How Maimonides Modernized Judaism

Looking at Maimonides as a way to better understand the Jewish golden age in Spain under Muslim rule.

 13th – 15th Century

What is Kabbalah? How Jewish Mysticism Began

 
Some say Kabbalah goes all the way back to the beginning of time. Others say the first century. Here, we present a historical viewpoint of it going back to the thirteenth century in northern Spain, and how its influence has continued to shape Judaism today.
 

16th Century

The Jews of Poland: A People Wiped Out

There’s a potential to do a few videos based on geography. Also, rather than focusing on the Holocaust, this would focus on what the culture was there before the Holocaust.

17th Century

Sabbatai Zevi: The False Messiah who almost brought down Judaism

  • Connects Kabbalah to Hasidic Judaism.

  • Potential to talk about Jacob Frank, reference Bar Khokhba, and deal with the concept of Messiahs in Judaism.

18th Century

Hasidic Judaism: How it Began

 
What is Hasidic Judaism? Watch our new explainer video to learn the history of the Hasidic movement, from the Ba'al Shem Tov to creating an distinct community of mystical and observant Jews. The Hasidic movement was formed in the mid 1800s by Jewish mystics in Eastern Europe, most notably the Ba'al Shem Tov, who was a traveled Kabbalistic, providing spiritual advice to those he met.
 

18th – 19th Century

Emancipation & Enlightenment: The Birth of Modern Judaism

 
If you want to understand how Reform, Conservative and Orthodox Judaism came to be, you need to take a step back to when they first formed. Watch this explainer video to learn some Jewish history about the Enlightenment and Emancipation periods featuring BimBam producer Jeremy Shuback.
 

19th Century

How Reform, Conservative & Orthodox Judaism Began

 
Watch our explainer video to learn the history of the Reform Jewish movement and how early proponents abandoned aspects of traditional Judaism in order to create a Jewish community that was able to adapt to the changes of the modern world.
 

19th Century

How Judaism Reached America

  • Coming to America and the further growth of Reform and Conservative Judaism.

  • Lead up to emigrations before and during the Holocaust, bringing Orthodox into the fold.

19th Century

The Jews of Russia

Covering both the culture and the horrible persecutions.