Colorful Profiles: Short Stories of Extraordinary and Unexpected Characters from Jewish History.
Encounter twelve stories of Jewish history's most fascinating men and women: converts, captives, royal advisors, philosophers, philanthropists, and more. Witness their fascinating sacrifices, adventures, and achievements and uncover our people's rich history.
01
Onkelos, Ovadiah of Normandy, and Avraham ben Avraham
What attracted a Roman caesar’s nephew to convert to Judaism, and what message
does his revolutionary Hebrew-to-Aramaic Torah translation provide us? Why did
a twelfth-century Italian priest surrender his career to live as a wandering Jew, and
what cultural gifts did he bring with him? How did a young Polish eighteenth-century
nobleman become a legend of devotion and sacrifice for Judaism?
This lesson explores the fascinating life stories of three converts to Judaism: Onkelos,
Ovadiah of Normandy, and Avraham ben Avraham. Through their remarkable lives
we will discover what it means to become a Jew, and learn about the invaluable
contributions converts have made to Jewish life.
02
Shmuel Hanagid, Menashe ben Israel, and Ovadiah Seforno
How did a leading Torah sage of eleventh-century Spain command a Muslim army?
How did a child born in the suffocating shadow of the Portuguese Inquisition fling
open the gates of Jewish wisdom to non-Jewish scholars, and force open the gates of
England for his oppressed brethren? How did the relationship between a leading Italian
rabbi and his young non-Jewish German pupil save the Talmud from destruction and
establish it as a source of wisdom for all humanity?
This lesson explores the respective dramas and triumphs of three rabbis: Shmuel
Hanagid, Menashe ben Israel, and Ovadiah Seforno. These personalities provide us
with remarkable insight into the historic Jewish mission of serving as “a light unto the
nations,” and teach us how to become part of this mission ourselves.
03
Doña Gracia, Rebbetzin Bayla Katz, and Glikl of Hameln
How did a clandestinely Jewish businesswoman smuggle thousands of her brethren
from the clutches of the Inquisition and launch an ambitious settlement project in the
Holy Land? How did a Polish rabbi’s wife influence Jewish ritual practice and custom?
What profound life lessons did a seventeenth-century German Jewish entrepreneur
impart via her remarkable autobiography?
This lesson delves into the experiences of three extraordinary women: Doña Gracia,
Rebbetzin Bayla Katz, and Glikl of Hameln. They collectively gift us with fresh insight
into the unique role of Jewish women as nurturers of their families, communities, and
faith.
04
The Four Captive Rabbis, Rabbi Meir of Rothenburg, and
Rabbi Yaakov Koppel Margolis
How did a band of pirates’ capture of a ship ferrying four rabbis change the course
of Jewish history? Why did the top German Talmudic sage of the thirteenth century
refuse to be released from prison? How did a seventeenth-century hostage crisis in
Ukraine unite the Jewish world for an unprecedented rescue mission?
This lesson explores the sagas of the four captive rabbis, as well as Rabbi Meir of
Rothenburg and Rabbi Yaakov Koppel Margolis and his fellow captives from the
1648 Khmelnytskyi Massacres. Their moving stories of tragedy and bravery leave
us with insightful reflections on the foundations of Jewish unity and the extent of our
responsibilities toward Jewish hostages.
