Shalom Shiraniks!
First, let me welcome you all back, and remind you to mark your calendars for our Shira Family Day on Sunday, February 8th during first session. All students and their families are invited to join us for a fun, musical and educational session that day. (There will be no second session on Feb. 8th) More details coming shortly...
This week, we are focusing on the great changes in the Western European Jewish community in the late 1700's and early 1800's. As a result of political and industrial revolution, widespread social change offered new opportunities for European Jews. Enlightenment ideas provided more freedoms for Jews who were once confined to ghettos and forced to endure legal restrictions that limited their opportunities for social and economic growth. Additionally, the industrial revolution created a new middle class, and the literate Jews began to rise to positions of status as merchants, manufacturers of textiles and as professionals. As a result, families such as the Rothschilds were able to achieve great financial and social success. The Haskalah, or Jewish enlightenment ensued, and the Reform movement was born out of many Jews' frustration with "old fashioned" Jewish traditions that they perceived as barriers to social inclusion into European society.
Here is link to the PBS documentary, "Roads from the Ghetto," an excerpt from the Heritage Civilization series that we are using as a class resource.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbU-9pN86bc
We focused on the first 12 minutes in class, however the entire program is quite interesting, and I encourage you to watch it all if you are able.
Shavua tov!
