-
Period: to
The Enlightenment
This period was frought with major Jewish philisophical change. The disseminating Enlightement beliefs and convictions in Europe led to the mushrooming of the Haskalah movement and the decline of Rabbinic authority. -
Baruch Spinoza is put into Cherem
Baruch Spinoza Spinoza is put into Cherem by rabbinic authorities. Spinoza appeared to his fellow Jews as apathetic towards Cherem. His defiance of rabbinic authority and participation as a leader in the Enlightenment further led to the decline of rabbinic authority in Europe. -
The Baal Shem Tov establishes Hassidism
In circa 1736, the Baal Shem Tov established Hassidism. Hassidism was a reaction to the growing Haskalah movement. It provided a spritually rich life and a comfortable communal environment centered around the rebbe for any Jews who didn't feel comfortable in the Misnagdim and Maskilim movements. Hassidics found spiritual meaning in their day to day life without restricting themselves to the yeshivic world of the Misnagdim. -
Period: to
Jewish Movements in Europe
The eighteenth and nineteenth century contained three prominent Jewish movements in Europe: the Maskilim, Misnagdim, and Chassidim movements. These movements channeled three differing Jewish beliefs. The polarized Maskilim and Misnagdim sought to either reform themselves to their society or to further preserve their traditions. The Hassidic movement compromised by reforming themselves similarly to the Maskilim movement while maintaining their spirituality like the Misnagdim movement. -
Haskalah movement spreads
In Circa 1750 the Hasklah movement, or the Jewish Enlightenment, started to truly gain prominence in Europe. This movement connected with secular Jews of the Enlightenment and successfully convinced them to reassert their Jewish identities. Much of its ideology is derived from German Jewish philosopher Moses Mendelssohn. -
Misnagdim Movement Spreads
The Misnagdim movement, led by the Vilna Gaon, was an opposition to the Hassidic movement. The movement consisted of yeshivish Jews living primarily in Lithuania, northern Belorussia, and northeastern Poland. -
America emancipates Jews.
In 1789 the United States of America becomes the first nation in the world to Emancipate the Jewish nation. In the years to come, more and more Jews would come to America in the pursuit of Religious freedom. America to this day continues to be home for millions of Jews. Many Jewish movements took shape and were nurtured in America during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. America declared independence from Britain in 1776. -
The French Revolution
The French Revolution begins in 1789. A major result of this revolution was the emancipation of Jews. -
Period: to
Jewish Emancipation
The Jewish people are emancipated from America and many European countries. The opportunity to reform themselves to the culture and lifestyles of their individual countries tempts Jews to becomes less religious. -
France emancipates Jews.
In 1791 the country of France becomes the first European nation to Emancipate the Jewish people. Over the course of the next hundred years many European countries followed suit. France's emancipation of the Jews was one of the results of Napolean's outreach to the Jews during the French Revolution. -
The Reform movement picks up speed.
In 1817 the Reform movement of Judaism gains fame as a Jewish temple in Hamburg is established with a wide variety of adaptations to German culture and tradition. -
Period: to
Modern Jewish Religious Movements
Many Jewish religious movements founded primarily in the nineteenth century have become the standard movements continuing through the present day. These movements include but are not limited to: Hassidism, Reform, Conservative, and Orthodox. -
The Orthodox Movement picks up speed.
Between 1820 and 1860 the Orthodox movement, a reaction to the Reform movement, begins to rise in prominence. It opposed the reformation of Jews to fit their country's culture and sought the preservation of tradition. The Orthodox movement, a response to the Reform Judaism movement, begins to pick up speed. The Orthodox movement places stress on Halakha and tradition. -
Period: to
Jewish Immigration to America
Following the Reconstruction period of America and lasting through World War I, Jews from Eastern and Southern Europe came to America in search of economic prosperity and/or religious tolerance. -
The Trefa Banquet
In a banquet held in honor of the Hebrew Union College’s first graduating class there was a variety of treif items served. This banquet led to the establishment of the Conservative Jewish movement as a response to the Reform college's actions. There were Jews there that were aghast at the extent to which the Reform movement had abandoned many Jewish principles and laws yet they still agreed with the basic ideology of reforming and adjusting to their country. -
The Dreyfus Affaire
On October fifteen, 1894, Alfred Dreyfus was falsely arrested for treason. A target of anti-Semitism, this Jew's plight highlighted the need for a government that would not discriminate against Jews and further solidified Zionist leader Theodore Herzl's resolve for the pursuit of a Jewish state in Israel. -
The first World Zionist Congress meets.
The first World Zionist Congress meets and is chaired by Theodore Herzl. Over the next fifty years the Zionist Organization works hard towards the establishment of a Jewish state in Israel. -
The Triangle Shirtwaist Fire
For the Jews who came to America during the Gilded Age and the beginning of the Twentieth Century, living and working conditions were harsh. 146 female workers died in this fire, many of whom were Jewish immigrants. Jewish women in America realized that they needed to be proactive in improving their people's lives. -
The Balfour Declaration
Arthur James Balfour sent a letter to Baron Rothschild in which he made clear the support that the Zionists would have from the United Kingdom in acquiring Israel. Many Jews moved to Palestine as a result. This was a pivotal accomplishment for the Zionist Organization. -
HItler is made Chancellor of Germany
Hitler's rise to power in Germany marked the start of a twelve year tragedy for Jews living in Europe. His Nazi party eliminated the lives of six million Jews during their time in power. Europe has a significant decrease in Jews as a result of Hitler and his madness. -
The declaration of the State of Israel
David Ben Gurion proclaims the establishment of a Jewish nation in the land of Israel. For the first time in over two thousand years the Jewish people have a home. The Zionist organization along with other organizations and invidividuals continue to work tirelessly in order to secure the welfare of Israel. -
Period: to
Modern Day Judiasm.
Modern day Judaism faces new perilious challenges. The safekeeping of the State of Israel has required the engagement in a multitude of wars against adjacent Arab countries. Few Jews remain in Europe and those living in America are facing economic hardsip. Despite the many challenges it faces Israel has a thriving economy and culture and offers Jews of any origin and level of observance a place to call home.
