From Ur to Eternity, Vol. 1: From Patriarchs to Spanish Inquisition

At last, a focused Jewish history book that is a good read

Why is this Jewish history book different from all others?

FOCUS, FACTS, AND FUN!

FOCUS: Finally, a history with focus! No more disorganized century hopping. No more disjointed facts. This is a book with a purpose. Readers will be able to teach Jewish history while pursuing two very definite themes: A) The Covenant that the Jewish people made with God and the responsibilities involved; B) What has enabled the Jewish people to survive their 4000 year history? FACTS: The facts are all here on a level that can relate to 10 13 year olds!

In Part 1 the story of the Jewish people begins with the Patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; and the Matriarchs, Sarah, Rebecca, Leah, and Rachel. It traces the arrival of the ancient Hebrews to the Promised Land, to Egypt, and back again. The book continues with the leadership of the Judges and then the Kings, Saul, David, and Solomon. Readers will be able to visualize the joy of building the beautiful Temple and the agony of its destruction. They will travel with their people to Babylonia and return to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple. The tempting Greek lifestyle will illustrate adaptation and assimilation and the strong Jewish will to survive. When the Romans finally destroyed the Second Temple and the Jews scattered to other lands, the students will be taken along with them. They will find themselves in the midst of the Crusades, and experience the cruelty of the Crusaders. Finally, Part 1 will take them inside Spain during its golden years and its Inquisition.

The story of the Jewish people continues in Part 2. The reader will journey back to the Middle Ages of Europe where Jewish life flourished in the midst of adversity. They will run for their lives when the Jews are expelled from their home countries. Then they will find themselves among the Jews living in China and India, or in the ghettos and shtetlach of Europe. With a sigh of relief, the reader will be there when the Jews begin to emerge from hardship to become contributing members of the European community. At last, they will discover real freedom in America. The reader will identify with the Jews fighting in the Revolutionary War and the Civil War; or working in New York s lower West Side or in the gold mines of the West. With sorrow they will learn of the holocaust, and with joy they will celebrate the founding of the Jewish State of Israel.