Jewish History Timeline

Alexander the Great 3428 (332 BCE)

When Alexander the Great conquered Israel and most of the ancient world, he brought his Greek culture to Israel. This caused big issues in Jewish society because the ideas, beliefs, and religions of the two groups were very different. Some Jews started to become like the Greeks, Hellenized, but some stayed true. Hannukah was a fight between the two types of people and ideas.

Hillel 4130 (370 CE)

Rabbi Hillel was a famous rabbi who helped shape rabbinic Judaism so that Jews could still live Jewish life without the temple in Jerusalem. He made a new calendar that replaced the old system. Many of his teachings still shape the way we practice Judaism today.

Pale of Settlement 5551 (1791 CE)

Russia writes rules about where in the country Jews can live and forces most people to live in the same place they are born and to work the same jobs as their parents, no matter what they want. This forced many people to live in poor communities and with bad jobs.

Rebuild of synagogue in Kai Feng, China 5402 (1642 CE)

After a flood destroys the area, Chao Ying-Cheng helps to rebuild the synagogue. We don't know much about the community here but what we do know is that there was a strong Jewish community here for a long time, probably the descendants of traders.

David and Solomon 2750 - 2790 (1010 - 970 BCE)

After the period of Judges, the Jews wanted to have their own king. So, God appointed Saul but he wasn't the right guy for the job so David defeated him in battle and became the king. He started the Davidic Dynasty, which is still seen by some as the rightful leaders of the Jews. He also conquered Jerusalem and made it his capital. His son, Solomon, built the first Holy Temple in Jerusalem.

Exodus and Period of Judges 2480 - 2760 (1280 - 1000 BCE)

Now, the Jews are a nation, the Israelites or the Hebrews. The nation is built on a family, but it's so big now that it needs to figure out how to govern itself. They had Moses then Joshua leading them, then Judges who showed their wisdom and solved problems. This is important because of how central the Exodus is in Jewish history and because the leaders were chosen for their wisdom.

Rome 3823 (63 BCE)

As Ancient Rome expanded, it brought it's culture and beliefs with it. But unlike the Greeks, the Romans wanted everyone to worship their gods and be like them. As the Jews tried to keep their traditions, the Romans made stricter and stricter rules. When the Jews rebelled, the Romans killed thousands of Jews and destroyed the second (and last) Holy Temple in Jerusalem. They even renamed Jerusalem and Israel. Israel was named Palestine after the Philistines (the enemies of the Jews in the Tanach). This started the Jewish diaspora and rabbinic Judaism.

Jews Expelled from European Countries 5050, 5066, 5082, 5252 (1290 CE, 1306 CE, 1322 CE, 1492 CE)

As part of the Diaspora, the Jews setup communities in almost every country. In a lot of places the Jews were forced out without any warning and without a place to go. Some countries took in the Jews though, like the Ottoman Empire.

Jewish Colony in Recife, Brazil 5402 (1642 CE)

As the Jews fled from Europe, some went to South America. These were usually Jews that had pretended to become Christian, called Conversos. These Jews were able to build businesses and communities but always lived in fear of someone finding out they were Jews.

Ottomans allow all Jews to settle in Ottoman lands 5641 (1881 CE)

By allowing Jews from other countries to live in the Ottoman Empire, Jews who lived in areas that had strict and unfair rules about Jews could immigrate to the Ottoman Empire. But they were not allowed to move to Israel.

Purim 3335 (425 BCE)

By changing her name from Hadassa to Esther and marrying the Persian king, Esther shows how the Babylonian Exile changed the Jews and made them part of a bigger world.

Babylonian School 4010 (250 CE)

One of the big centers of Jewish learning after the destruction of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. People would send questions to the teachers. The community also wrote the Babylonian Talmud, which helps Jews in the diaspora to live by Jewish law.

Rhode Island gives religious liberty to Jews 5396 (1636 CE)

In America, the Jews had a chance to live without fear of violence. Each colony made it's own laws, and some did not allow Jews to be citizens, but they were able to build communities in a new and safe place.

Theodore Herzl born 5620 (1860 CE)

Inspired by a big, and unfair, trial of a Jewish government official, Herzl decides that the Jews need a homeland of their own. He founded the modern Zionist movement and is honored in Israel today.

Jewish Persecution in Europe 4960 (1200s CE)

Jews in Europe were made to wear special badges and clothing to show that they were Jewish. Jews were forced to live in specific areas and only have a few jobs. Often the governments or the people would steal their money and attack them for a made-up reason.

Russian Jews Flee 5663 - 5667 (1903 - 1907 CE)

Like many Jews before them, Russian Jews are forced to leave or feel the need to leave. But unlike before, 90% of them go to America, many through Ellis Island in New York City. These Jews bring their traditions and beliefs to America and change the Jewish American community.

American Revolution 5536 (1776 CE)

The Constitution of the USA, and the 1st Amendment, make sure that everyone in America has the same rights and protections no matter his or her religion. This is the first time a country is founded without caring about religion and with a place for Jews in the government.

Abraham is born 1947 (1813 BCE)

The first Jew, Abraham made the first agreement between God and the Jewish people. All Jews are his descendants (his kids' kids'). He was the first Jew to both agree to what God asked and to question God, showing that Jews must follow God's rules but are supposed to ask questions.

Tel Aviv Founded 5669 (1909 CE)

The first modern all-Jewish city in Israel is a hope for the future. Founded by Jewish settlers trying to create a new modern Jewish state, the city is a symbol of the new Israel and the Zionist movement. But, built next to one of the oldest cities in Israel, Jaffa, it is also a connection to the past and the historic Jewish connection to Eretz Israel, the land of Israel.

Assyrians Conquer Israel and Judea 3038 and 3173 (722 BCE and 587 BCE)

When the Assyrians conquered the Northern Kingdom they made all of the ten tribes that lived there move to other places. These are the 10 lost tribes of Israel, some are just now being found and some are still lost. When the Southern Kingdom was conquered the Temple was destroyed and the priests and rulers were sent to Babylon. This is important not just because the Temple was destroyed, but also because being away from Israel made the Jews think about Judaism without the Temple traditions.

Second Temple Period 3240 (520 BCE)

When the Persian king, Cyrus the Great, conquered Assyria and let the Jews back home he gave them money and helped them rebuild their country. This time though, the Jews were using written records of the past, instead of stories they'd told each other, to create the government.