Jews are the oldest of any people on earth still around with their national identity and cultural heritage intact. The Egyptians, Babylonians, Byzantines, Philistines, Crusaders, Spanish, Assyrians, Soviets, Persians, Greeks, Romans and Nazis all tried to destroy them. Instead, they were all destroyed and the Jews survived.

The first Jews to move into Europe were traders from the Mediterranean. The Jewish traders were the link between primitive Europe and the sophisticated Moslem lands. Trying to build their towns up, feudal lords attracted Jews to their domains with offers of special charters and favors. But as soon as the towns were built up the Jews were no longer needed and were expelled.

What has anti-semitism of history cost ? Jews accounted for 10% of the total population of the Roman Empire. By that ratio, if other factors such as pogroms and forced conversions had not intervened, there would be 200 million Jews in the world today about as many people as China, instead of something like 13 million. This lecture includes photographs and items of interest.