With the Altalena’s arrival at Kfar Vitkin, the situation escalated rather rapidly. The Israeli government was keen on asserting its authority, maintaining one state and one army, while the Irgun was insisting that the weapons aboard the ship be allocated according to its demands. Following an ultimatum from the IDF, a skirmish broke out which led to several tragic deaths. The Altalena then sailed for Tel Aviv, where the final showdown took place the next day. With the Irgun refusing to surrender, the government of the State of Israel decided to take the ship by force. The resulting battle led to death, injury and the shelling of the Altalena. Civil war was averted, but scars and animosity remained. Was there another way this could have ended? Who fired the first shot? Could the violence have been averted had the Irgun submitted to the State’s authority? Subscribe to Jewish History Soundbites Podcast on: PodBean: https://jsoundbites.podbean.com/ or your favorite podcast platform Follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter or Instagram at @Jsoundbites For sponsorship opportunities about your favorite topics of Jewish history or feedback contact Yehuda at: [email protected]

With the resurfacing of the Altalena weapons ship of the Irgun, the controversies and story of its tragic ending have resurfaced as well. In this first part of a two part series on the Altalena story, the background of the Irgun’s position in the early days of the State of Israel is clarified, along with the background to the purpose and goals of the Altalena ship. What was the relationship between the Irgun and the new State of Israel? What was on the Altalena and who was it for? What took place during the first few weeks of the State’s existence that dramatically changed the fate of the Altalena? Who was to fight the War of Independence for the State of Israel - the newly founded IDF or prestate private politicized militias?  Subscribe to Jewish History Soundbites Podcast on: PodBean: https://jsoundbites.podbean.com/ or your favorite podcast platform Follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter or Instagram at @Jsoundbites For sponsorship opportunities about your favorite topics of Jewish history or feedback contact Yehuda at: [email protected]

One of the most prolific researchers and writers of Chassidic history, Yitzchak Alfasi amassed an enourmous amount of valuable historic material related to the Chassidic movement, that without his prodigious efforts would have been lost to posterity. Among many others, his invaluable three volume Encyclopedia of Chassidic Personalities is one of the most impressive works of chassidic history ever compiled. When taking a broader view of chassidic historiography, Alfasi fits right in the middle of the dynamic field of researching chassidic history. With its roots in the prewar research of eminent historians such as Shimon Dubnow, and continuing today with new methodologies and sources enriching our knowledge of the chassidic movement, the field of chassidic history research is better than it has ever been before. Subscribe to Jewish History Soundbites Podcast on: PodBean: https://jsoundbites.podbean.com/ or your favorite podcast platform Follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter or Instagram at @Jsoundbites For sponsorship opportunities about your favorite topics of Jewish history or feedback contact Yehuda at: [email protected]

What happened to the Mussar Movement following its near decimation in the Holocaust? Were there attempts to reestablish it? Were those attempts successful? If not, why not? If yes, how can that limited success be measured? How broad in scope was the success of the Mussar Movement even prior to its destruction in the Holocaust? A Mussar Movement history episode in honor of Elul. Subscribe to Jewish History Soundbites Podcast on: PodBean: https://jsoundbites.podbean.com/ or your favorite podcast platform Follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter or Instagram at @Jsoundbites For sponsorship opportunities about your favorite topics of Jewish history or feedback contact Yehuda at: [email protected]

Aside from the Rabbi's Sons discussed in Part 1 of this miniseries, the 1960's saw the first music groups in Ohr Chadash, Pirchei and the London School of Jewish Song. From Israel came Chaim Banet and Jo Amar, the latter a pioneer of Morroccan Jewish music. No less important than the performers, the production, composition and arrangements were handled by architects of Jewish music Suki & Ding, Sheya Mendlowitz, Yisroel Lamm and later Moshe Laufer, Mona Rosenblum and Yossi Green. The 1970's saw the new sounds of Diaspora Yeshiva Band and Dudu Fisher, bringing Jewish music to ever wider audiences. Abie Rottenberg commenced his illustrious career this decade with Dveykus and the soon to be crowned king of Jewish music Mordechai Ben David burst on to the scene as well. Capitalizing on their earlier involvement with Pirchei-JEP, Rivie Schwebel and Ali Scharf collaborated once again with a series of albums of Schwebel, Scharf & Levine. Check out the story of Yerachmiel Begun and the Miami Boys Choir on this popular episode of Jewish History Soundbites: https://jsoundbites.podbean.com/e/great-american-jewish-cities-14-miami/  Subscribe to Jewish History Soundbites Podcast on: PodBean: https://jsoundbites.podbean.com/ or your favorite podcast platform Follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter or Instagram at @Jsoundbites For sponsorship opportunities about your favorite topics of Jewish history or feedback contact Yehuda at: [email protected]

Coming off a rich and diverse series of Jewish history tours throughout Europe, Jewish History Soundbites presents a summary of these journeys throughout our storied past across the length and breadth of Europe. Classic sort of tours included Poland & Lithuania in Eastern Europe, to Prague, Bratislava & Vienna in Central Europe. Another one was an in depth exploration of the rich Jewish history in northern Italy - Venice, Padua, Stra, Mantua, Cento, Bologna, Trieste and so much more. Presented here for the benefit and enjoyment of listeners of Jewish History Soundbites, insights and stories from each and every one of these fascinating locations and narratives from the many stops of our collective Jewish journey.  Subscribe to Jewish History Soundbites Podcast on: PodBean: https://jsoundbites.podbean.com/ or your favorite podcast platform Follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter or Instagram at @Jsoundbites For sponsorship opportunities about your favorite topics of Jewish history or feedback contact Yehuda at: [email protected]

During the 18th & first half of the 19th centuries, many members of the financial and rabbinical elite in Jewish Eastern Europe engaged in the practice of marrying off their children at a very young age. Why did they do that? How widespread was this practice? Why did it end? And what ramifications did this have on European Jewish life during this time and afterwards? Subscribe to Jewish History Soundbites Podcast on: PodBean: https://jsoundbites.podbean.com/ or your favorite podcast platform Follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter or Instagram at @Jsoundbites For sponsorship opportunities about your favorite topics of Jewish history or feedback contact Yehuda at: [email protected]