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Learning Jewish history can be daunting if we can't find appropriate and accurate resources. We will present some of the available materials today on the market.

From Creation to the destruction of the second Bais HaMikdash, we have our Tanach (Chumash, Neviim, Kesuvim), with supplementary midrashim from various sources. The following textbooks and reference books for learning about the post destruction of the Bais HaMikdash to current events, are available:

1. "Sands and Stars," 2 volume series authored by Yaffa Ganz in collaboration with Rabbi Berel Wein
2. Oral Law at Sinai," another production by Rabbi Berel Wein who provides a comprehensive view of all our Sages who tread Jewish history to preserve the Oral law from Moshe Rabbeinu at Sinai
3. Vision of Valor," a sequel to Oral Law at Sinai, that continues with the development of the Talmud and the chain of Rabbis involved with this transmission through thick and thin
4. "2000 years of Jewish History" textbook and workbook by Rabbi Chaim Schloss
5. "Echoes of Glory", "Faith and Fate", "Herald of Destiny", "Triumph of Survival", "Patterns in Jewish History" series by Rabbi Berel Wein

I recommend Rabbi Schloss's textbook and workbook for use by students in their school/homeschool environment. The information is accurately and compactly organized into one book. The accompanying workbook contains questions per chapter that the teacher can utilize for "homework". This is a good introduction to Jewish history material that covers post-2nd Bais Hamikdash to current events.

Another way of studying Jewish history, is through what we call a "unit study", where one picks a slice of history and study it in depth. One can learn through reading biographies of great Jewish personalities of different periods of history and be immersed. The following biographies of our Sages are available:

Reb Israel Salanter (CIS Publishers, Lakewood, NJ, 1995).

The Gaon of Vilna (CIS Publishers, Lakewood, NJ, 1994).

Rambam (CIS Publishers, Lakewood, NJ, 1994).

Rashi (CIS Publishers, Lakewood, NJ, 1993).

The Ramban (CIS Publishers, Lakewood, NJ, 1992).

The Maharal of Prague (CIS Publishers, Lakewood, NJ, 1992).

The Chasam Sofer (CIS Publishers, Lakewood, NJ, 1991).

Recent publications have portrayed the story of some of our forgotten heroes in comic-book format. The story of Shmuel HaNagid is a fascinating read, published by Aryeh Mahr, distributed by Feldheim. His life centered around Spain, close to the time period of the Rambam. Rabbi Berel Wein also has a comic-book rendition of the story of the Rambam. A caution to young readers: "A lot of violence depicted in the graphics and IMHO may not be suitable for children under six, or perhaps older, depending on the maturity of the child."

Some of the biographies are also available in video including the story of the Rambam and Rashi, produced by Rabbi Berel Wein. Some of the scenes may be too violent for young children.

For those who learn better through listening, audio rendition of the topics of Jewish history is available from Rabbi Berel Wein, as well.

This article is work in progress, so as newer materials are available on the market, hopefully, be"H, it will be updated.

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