| Untold Stories of Jewish
History: Lecture Topics
given by Andrée Aelion
Brooks*
Want to drop in on a lecture?
See the locations of recent and upcoming
appearances below the list of topics.
NOTE: some of these talks can be modified for younger audiences.
*For additional
bio information
about Brooks go to:
http://www.andreeaelionbrooks.com
 1.
All about Doņa Gracia Nasi.
This lecture will
use brand-new findings to tell the life story of Doņa Gracia
Nasi, a 16th century Portuguese woman banker who developed an escape network that saved
thousands of her fellow conversos (forcibly-converted
Jews) from the terrors of the Inquisition. It will be based
upon Brooks’ biography of Nasi, called "The
Woman Who Defied Kings," which was selected as a
finalist in the National Jewish Book Awards for 2003. The talk will also tell how the material was discovered.
(Gracia goes to Google! This
lecture was selected for delivery at Google headquarters, as part of
its authors@google
series, which has attracted such luminaries as Tom Brokow and
Al Gore).
*You can order the book from this website (see below)
2. The Cradle of Jewish Life in Europe.
Jews first came
to Europe in late antiquity, settling heavily in the south of
Italy and Sicily. Learn about the flourishing life of Jews in
antiquity and early Italian
Jewish life; and why both Sephardic and Ashkenazi Jews have
ancestors from this area. And why Jews never tell about this
important page from their past.
3. The Birth of Ashkenaz
Who were the first
Jews in Eastern Europe? How and why did they originally drift
north from lands traditionally associated with Sephardic Jews? What are the true origins of some of their most common
customs? An excursion to a shadowy time (topics 2 and 3 can
be combined into: "The Origins of Jewish Life in Europe:
how Ashkenaz was born").
4. The Jews in the Renaissance
Contrary to
popular perceptions, the Jews were extremely active in the
Renaissance as scientists, translators, research physicians,
writers, musicians and actors. Many had come from Spain in
the wake of the 1492 expulsions and forced conversions. Learn
about the most outstanding figures and why the rabbis felt so
ambivalent about Jews participating in the explosion of ideas,
arts and sciences. Find out how and why it all came to an
abrupt end (this one available in greater depth as a mini
course).
5. The History of the Jewish doctor.
Why did Jewish physicians become so indispensable to royalty and
a succession of popes? Where did they first get their advanced
knowledge? Why were they always considered so much better than
the Christian doctors around them? A full history of the mythic
reputation of the Jewish doctor, tracing its origins to
biblical times.
6. The Strange Saga of the Conversos: What do we know about the Jews who
chose to convert and take their Judaism underground rather
than accept expulsion from Spain in 1492? What was the real
story behind those who fled to the New World long before
traditional Jewish history suggested Jews were even here? In
the summer of 1998 Brooks joined an expedition deep into the
Amazon rainforest seeking the remains of one of their earliest
settlements. This and other tales of their pioneering lives
and contemporary efforts to return to Judaism after keeping a
secret for 500 years (this one available in greater depth as a
mini course).
 7. The Origins and Lesser-known History of the Jews of
Russia.
This newer lecture will provide a contextual
background to Brooks’ latest book, a romantic thriller
called "Russian Dance." When and why did the
Jews come to Russia? What role did they play in modernizing
Russia? Why do we hear so little about the Jews outside the
Pale? Why did some become captivated by the Bolshevik
Revolution while others chose Zionism or emigration to
America? A view many of us have never seen before. Winner -
first place for biography/history in the 2005 annual awards
sponsored by the National Federation of Press Women.
*You can
order the book from this website (see below).
8. Our DNA, our history, our heritage.
How DNA studies
and genealogical research is expanding our understanding of
Jewish history and our own backgrounds. A talk based upon the
most recent scientific studies in this area, as well as
Brooks' current work in the expanding realm of professional
genealogy.
9. Magic, merchants and miracles.
The 2,000 year-old history of the Moroccan Jews is filled
with interesting tales; how they
lived, their special customs, such as
pilgrimages to the tombs of their "saints" and their
unique language and beliefs. This illustrated lecture will
revisit their long journey from ancient to modern times.
 10.
The Ancient Origin of Merchant Jews and their impact upon
Jewish history.
Jews have been international traders since ancient times. How and
why did this happen? What impact did it have on the thread of Jewish
history? Why have the merchant activities of Jews been downplayed when
discussing Jewish history?
 11.
Jewish Pirates of the Caribbean
: Yes, Disney, there were Jewish pirates too! This talk will
explain how that could have happened. It will provide the
historical background to their escapades. It will identify
some of them by name and deed, and explain how and why the
legendary skull and crossbones symbol can be seen, even today,
on certain Jewish gravestones in the old pirate capital of Port Royal,
Jamaica, where the author did field work.
 12.
The unusual history of he Jews of China. Recently, the
author spent time touring China and learning of the waves of
Jews that have created settlements over the centuries. Some
surprising stories of how and why this happened.
 13.
Our Past: Ourselves. One
hundred years after some 2.8 million Jews arrived on our
shores, primarily from Eastern Europe, we are sufficiently
removed from that era to take a more objective look at their
story and their descendants progression into the American
mainstream. Much has comes down to us cloaked in nostalgia and
still affects the way we think and behave. Fact v. legend.
This lecture will be based upon new research compiled for a
book by the lecturer on the Jewish immigrant and assimilation
eras of the late 19th and 20th centuries
(this one available in greater depth as a mini course).
 14. A Woman for the Ages: the unlikely tale of Amelia Bassano.
In the late 16th century there lived a woman of Jewish
heritage - Amelia - who is now believed to have been a major
influence behind Shakespeare and his canon. Using update
research, we look at the brilliant and sexy Amelia and her
multiple achievements: favorite of Queen Elizabeth I, Dark
Lady of Shakespeare's sonnets and a collaborator on the plays
who, in addition, became the first woman to publish a book of
poetry in the English language. And it's all true!
NOTE: Scholar-in-residence programs, book group discussions
and mini courses are
also available. Brooks can also customize a lecture for a
particular audiences and deliver customized presentations
to the students in your school. Details upon request.
Email: (andreebrooks@outofspain.com).
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