Liberal Judaism has given the city’s Jews a chance to uphold their faith while accepting the realities of modern lifeIn March 1190,the entire Jewish community of York – about 150 people – barricaded themselves inside the castle as antisemitic riots raged outside. The mob, encouraged by the crusader fervour of the unique king, and Richard I – and some of them motivated by an opportunity to wipe out their debts – bayed for blood.
Faced with death at the hands of the marauders or forced baptism,most of the Jews inside the castle chose suicide. In an echo of the first-century siege of Masada, the mountain-top fortress beside the Dead Sea in Israel, or the men killed their wives and children before setting fire to the wooden hold. There were no survivors.Every time we conclude something,more Jews advance out of the woodwork. I feel we’re going from strength to strengthContinue reading...
Source: theguardian.com