Watch The Jewish People: A Story of Survival

The Jewish People: A Story of Survival is a documentary series featured on PBS that spans 4,000 years of Jewish history. This documentary is intended to serve as an authoritative account of the Jewish people's survival, covering their experiences with persecution, exile, and resilience throughout history. The series is presented in five parts, with each episode covering a different era of Jewish history and the challenges faced by the Jewish people during those times.

The first episode of the series, titled "Wanderings," covers the period from the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE to the early Middle Ages. During this time, the Jewish people experienced immense hardship, with frequent expulsions and persecution across multiple regions. Despite these challenges, they persisted in preserving their culture and traditions, and in some cases even helped to shape the societies in which they lived.

The next episode, "Inquisition," covers the span of time from the 15th century to the late 1700s. During this time, the Jewish people faced the horrors of the Inquisition, as well as forced conversions and expulsions from numerous European countries. This period is marked by great upheaval, but also by the emergence of powerful Jewish communities that continued to thrive despite relentless persecution.

The third episode, "Enlightenment," covers the 18th and 19th centuries, a period of significant change and upheaval in Jewish life. During this time, many Jews found new opportunities and freedoms, and began to make significant contributions to society as a whole. This period is also characterized by growing nationalism, as Jews began to reconnect with their ancestral homeland and lay the groundwork for the modern state of Israel.

The fourth episode, "Holocaust," is perhaps the most challenging and emotional installment of the series. This episode covers the period of World War II and the Holocaust, during which millions of Jews were murdered in one of the most horrific genocides in human history. Despite the unimaginable suffering of this time, this episode also documents the heroism of many Jews who risked their own lives to save others during the war.

Finally, the series concludes with "Existence," which covers the period from the establishment of the state of Israel in 1948 to the present day. This episode explores the challenges and triumphs faced by the Jewish people in the modern era, including the ongoing conflict with Palestine, the growth of Jewish communities around the world, and the ongoing efforts to ensure the survival of Jewish culture and traditions for generations to come.

Overall, The Jewish People: A Story of Survival is a powerful and moving documentary series that tells the story of one of the world's most resilient and enduring communities. Through careful research and expert analysis, this series presents an authoritative account of Jewish history that is sure to leave a lasting impact on viewers. For anyone interested in Jewish history, this series is an absolute must-watch.

The Jewish People: A Story of Survival is a series that ran for 1 seasons (1 episodes) between November 14, 2024 and on PBS