#179: The Most Unbelievable Story in Modern History
Yitzchak Trebitsch was an active participant - under various names - in some of the twentieth century’s most important events: mass immigration, WWI wartime espionage, radical right-wing Germany, Chinese civil war and the Japanese invasion during WWII. But in the end he was a nobody.
His death was attributed variously to Nazi poison, Allied vengeance, Buddhist enemies, or enraged Jews.
His story is stranger than fiction, but there are important lessons we can take from it.
Timestamps
[0:03:07] Origins: Hungarian Jewish Childhood
[0:04:40] Early Crimes: Theft and Deception
[0:07:54] Religious Transformations: Conversions and Missionaries
[0:11:00] Political Ambitions: Brief Parliamentary Career
[0:18:23] Wartime Intrigue: Espionage and Escapes
[0:28:00] Political Extremism: Far-Right Conspiracies
[0:35:00] Global Wanderings: International Adventures
[0:41:30] Spiritual Journey: Becoming a Buddhist Monk
[0:45:00] World War Machinations: Nazi and Japanese Connections
[0:48:44] Final Act: Decline in Shanghai
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#178: The Vanished Jews of England II: 1290-1650
Small groups of crypto-Jews are known to have made their way to England. We know the names and occasionally the stories of some. But no one had a greater impact on England’s history or on Queen Elizabeth I, than Roger Lopez: Physician, Double Agent, Diplomat & Court Jew.
Jews were News even during the period of their supposed forced absence.
And what is the real story behind Henry VIII’s set of Talmud?
Chapters
00:00:00 Doctor Lopez and the Earl of Leicester
00:00:26 Podcast Introduction and Listener Letter
00:36:32 Rodrigo Lopez: Early Life and Arrival in England
00:05:10 Lopez’s Rise and Role at Court
00:08:14 Espionage and the Don Antonio Affair
00:09:41 Jewish Community as Diplomatic Asset
00:11:02 International Intrigue and Spanish Spies
00:13:39 The Spanish Armada and Aftermath
00:15:22 Lopez’s Espionage and Double Agency
00:16:40 The Andrada Case and Rising Suspicion
00:19:12 Arrest and Trial of Lopez
00:21:52 Charges, Confession, and Execution
00:24:35 Was Lopez Guilty?
00:27:08 Lopez’s Legacy and Impact on Literature
00:30:44 Jewish Life in England: 1300s–1400s
00:32:50 Conversos and Marranos in Tudor England
00:36:32 Risks and Persecution of Marranos
00:38:42 Elizabethan Era and Secret Jewish Life
00:40:35 Religious Practice and Open Jews
00:43:10 Persistence of Jewish Identity
00:45:12 The Talmud in England: The Henry VIII Legend
00:48:35 Conclusion and Next Series Teaser
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#177: The Vanished Jews of England: 1290-1650
For centuries there were none left; The Jews had been driven out of England en-masse by Edward I...
But the records tell us a different story.
Henry VIII went searching for them and English literature betrays a fascination with them. From Shakespeare's controversial Shylock to dictionary & biblical definitions, the Jew continued to feature throughout.
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#176: Yishmael vs Yisrael X: Echoes of Conflict - feat. Rabbi Zev Leff & Lord David Wolfson
In the wake of the return of the hostages that survived, challenges abound and life cannot return to normal. Israel confronts the unknown with hope, and across the world the ripples of anti-semitism continue to echo.
The UK experienced Jews being killed on Yom Kippur, New York has elected a pro-Hamas mayor, yet various Arab countries have expressed an interest in closer ties with Israel. Rabbi Hersh, Rabbi Leff & Lord Wolfson discuss the global situation for Jews and where we are headed.
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What is Jewish History?
We have produced 175 episodes over the past 4 years BH.
But what makes Jewish History special? And what does the future hold?
This short clip will give you some insights - https://vimeo.com/1130639528
The link is: www.charityextra.com/jle/hftc
About History for the Curious - The Jewish History Podcast
History for the Curious
The most talked-about Jewish History Podcast
History for the Curious features the dynamic historian and famous tour guide & lecturer: Rabbi Aubrey Hersh, live from the JLE in London, hosted by myself: Mena Reisner
Join us as we cross continents, sail through the centuries, tracing lives, uncovering events and following epic journeys, to reveal the untold stories, the scandals, and the mysteries, that have impacted our history and shaped us into who we are today.
Encounter leaders, visionaries, spies, heroes & traitors and unpack 2,000 years of Jewish heritage.
Go back to the story of Jews in the Temple of Jerusalem. Confront the dilemmas of the Holocaust. Visit Paris, Prague, Vilna, London, Venice, New York & the Cairo Geniza. Meet The Russian Czar, Ramchal, Maharal, Maimonides, Churchill, Shabbetai Zvi and the Hapsburgs.
Listen to History for the Curious - The Jewish History Podcast, Search & Rescue NZ and many other podcasts from around the world with the radio.net app