Crash Course

The turmoil in Israel after the Yom Kippur War led to the election of Menachem Begin and the historical peace agreement with Anwar Sadat. But was it peace?

The Yom Kippur War was the darkest time since the Holocaust for the Jewish people. But ultimately it came to emphasize the miraculous nature of Jewish survival.

The 6 Day War in 1967 was a major turning point. On the verge of annihilation, Israel emerged victorious and regained Judaism's holiest site, the Western Wall.

As Nasser rose to power in Egypt and unleashed terrorists attacks, Israel mounted the Sinai Campaign. Military victory turned into diplomatic defeat, however.

Israel had to absorb more than a million immigrants in its first years. It faced enormous housing, economic, political, cultural and military problems.

The declaration of the State of Israel in 1948 was met with great emotion from Jews - and the invasion of 5 Arab armies. Many expected a second Holocaust...

World guilt over the Holocaust opened a brief window of opportunity which, along with some obvious divine intervention, launched the Jewish state.

The Holocaust is the most difficult topic in Jewish history. Its scope is beyond human understanding. However,its impact on Jewish life can't be ignored.

The Second World War unleashed forces undreamed of in their potential and terror. If a war could be called just, it was the Allied efforts against Hitler.

Jewish life today in the US is very different than before 1948. Forces like poverty, bigotry and the Melting Pot caused Jews to drop tradition and assimilate.

The rise and fall of Adolf Hitler is one of the most terrible, dramatic and unbelievable stories in history.

Jewish life between WWI and WWII was in turmoil. Anti-Semitism and assimilation decimated Jewish numbers and morale. It was a harbinger of what was to follow.

The wave of immigration known as the Third Aliyah was fueled by idealism. But the reality that confronted them would shake their dreams to the foundation.