It is common to hear Jews bewail the fact that our community is divided. Why can't we be more united? But have we ever managed unity? And would it be a good thing if we did? Be careful what you wish for...
In this survey of Jewish history and our contemporary Jewish community, Clive will look at several deep divisions between Jews both then and now and ask if it's in the nature of Jews to divide amongst ourselves.
Week 1: Tribes and Kingdoms. Hardly ever together.
Week 2: Arguing while Jerusalem burns - ideological divisions from Greek times to the present.
Week 3: Ashkenazim, Sephardim and Mizrakhim.
Week 4: Neither Ashkenazim nor Sephardim - Italians, Indians, Yemenites, Ethiopians and others.
Week 5: Today's Jewish world - Zionists, secularists, anti-Zionists, Haredim, 'just Jews', Jews-by-choice, Jews for Jesus, Black Hebrews and the rest. Keeping people out - who is a Jew? Are we too unfriendly for our own good?
Clive Lawton OBE is an Educational consultant, a magistrate and a regular teacher and presenter at JW3 where his course subjects move between diverse subjects exploring literary, philosophical, historical and religious themes. One of the founders of Limmud Clive has been a Headmaster, on the Metropolitan Police Authority and is now CEO of the Commonwealth Jewish Council and Independent Tribunal Chair for the NHS.
