Series 1

Simon Schama begins his exploration of the Jewish story at the start, 3,000 years ago.

Simon takes a look at the story of the medieval Jews difficulties to preserve their identity and their lives living under the rule of Christianity and Islam.

Simon takes a look at a moment bright with hope after Enlightenment thinkers and Revolutionary armies brought walls crashing down allowing Jews to weave their wisdom into life of modern Europe.

Simon takes a look at the lost world of the shtetl, the Jewish towns and villages dotted across the hinterlands of Eastern Europe, which became a unique Jewish culture.

Simon Schama takes a look at how the Holocaust and the creation of Israel have changed what it means to be Jewish in modern times.