The Story of the Jews
Simon Schama explores the story of the Jewish experience from ancient times to the present day.
Cast spotlight
Jump into full cast pages for bio, socials, and recent work.
Ep 1In the Beginning
Simon Schama begins his exploration of the Jewish story at the start, 3,000 years ago.
Ep 2Among Believers
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.
Ep 3A Leap of Faith
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.
Ep 4Over the Rainbow
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.
Ep 5Return
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.
BBC Two
GB
