The Complete Idiot's Guide to Jewish History and Culture

For 5,758 years, the Jewish people and their culture survived and prospered, despite seemingly insurmountable obstacles such as the Egyptian enslavement, the destruction of the two temples in Jerusalem, the Spanish Inquisition, Russian pogroms, the Nazi Holocaust, and continued anti-Semitism today. This Complete Idiots Guide contains easy-to-follow coverage of all of Jewish history, including profiles of Biblical, religious, and political leaders such as Abraham, Moses, King David, and Golda Meir. The last part of the book focuses on understanding the Jewish influence on American and world culture, with insights into: the Yiddish and Hebrew languages; theater; art; literature; comedy; film; television; and more.

You're no idiot, of course. You know that Judaism began with Abraham and that Moses led the children out of slavery in Egypt. But when it comes to knowing who Elijah, Esther, and Judah Maccabee were, and their significance to Judaism, you feel like you've been wandering in the desert for 40 years. Don't feel Jewish guilt just yet! The Complete Idiot's Guide to Jewish History and Culture provides you with a complete, authoritative account of the Jewish people--from Abraham, Moses, and King David to Golda Meir, Menachem Begin, and Yitzhak Rabin. In this Complete Idiot's Guide, you get: