The Story of the Jews

Simon takes a look at the lost world of the shtetl, the Jewish towns and villages dotted across the hinterlands of Eastern Europe, which became a unique Jewish culture.

Simon takes a look at a moment bright with hope after Enlightenment thinkers and Revolutionary armies brought walls crashing down allowing Jews to weave their wisdom into life of modern Europe.

Simon takes a look at the story of the medieval Jews difficulties to preserve their identity and their lives living under the rule of Christianity and Islam.

Simon Schama begins his exploration of the Jewish story at the start, 3,000 years ago.