The Story of the Jews - Belonging - 1492-1900 (Simon Schama, 2017)

(692 pages)

Second volume of a series; first volume is noted here.  These are well worth reading.

The ability of "the Jews" (which I'll treat as a single category even as I learn a bit more about differences within the category) to stick to their religious principles - and thus their separateness - is amazing, unprecedented.  Even, or perhaps especially, in light of what that "separateness" has entailed over the centuries.

This volume picks up with 1492 - expulsion from Spain.  Amsterdam as a relative haven.  Others escape east.  "Conversos" are treated, or mistreated, with great suspicion in Iberia; some defy restrictions on movement, capital flight.  These are referred to by the author as "Sephardic" - tend to be more educated on balance.  I don't know the exact definitions; he uses "Ashkenazi" more in association with central/eastern European communities - tend to be shtetl types, less educated, less able (or willing) to assimilate.  But of course so many exceptions.

He mentions a community in Kerala (Cochin).  Traders, connections, everywhere.

Western Europe consistently uncongenial - will use Jews for finance but turn on them as needed.  Amsterdam an exception.  Areas in eastern Europe - Poland, Russia, Bohemia - welcome Jews (needing their population and their skills) and surprisingly often follow through on commitments to leave them alone (not always, even in the best (most tolerant) of times).  Population expansion in these areas - eastern Europe as a major Jewish population center, who would have predicted this in Old Testament times?

Enlightenment - hopes rise - many community leaders pursue assimilation in hopes of avoiding mistreatment.    So many restrictions on occupations, where to live.  Always allowed to practice medicine - utilitarian.  Enlightenment era beliefs that if these occupational and residential restrictions are lifted, Jews will be more "normal" members of the community.  But the old hatreds appear irrepressible.  Alsace/Lorraine (Dreyfus territory) - ugh. 

This volume takes us up to 1900 - in late 19th century, hatreds are escalating again, as are efforts to secure a homeland.  It's little wonder that the latter strategy was pursued.

An embarrassing history for Christianity in so many ways.