Product Details

• Actors: Abba Eban
• Directors: Alan Rosenthal, Eugene Marner, Julian Krainin, Marc Siegel, Peter Rosen
• Writers: Abba Eban
• Producers: Arnold Labaton
• Format: Box set, Color, DVD, Full Screen, NTSC
• Language: English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono)
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 4
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: Homevision
• DVD Release Date: October 22, 2002
• Run Time: 540 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B00006IUI4
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #74,058 in Movies & TV (See Bestsellers in Movies & TV)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #8 in	Movies & TV > Documentary > Jewish Heritage
  #61 in	Movies & TV > Special Interests > Religion & Spirituality > Judaism

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Over the course of nine hours, this sumptuous PBS documentary from 1984 chronicles the history of the Jewish people from biblical times through the 20th century. This is not, however, a documentary solely about Judaism; it is instead an in-depth look at the history of Jewish interaction with the world at large, a look at how Jews have shaped communities around them and how the communities around them have shaped the Jews. Host Abba Eban, who has served as foreign minister of Israel and Israeli ambassador to the U.N., is authoritative and knowledgeable in his explications. Using paintings, artifacts, modern cinematography of ancient sites, readings, and theatrical music, Eban brings drama and tension to events long past. The spanning of five millennia necessitates at times briefer detail than a viewer may like, yet it also provides a sampling of history that may provoke the viewer into seeking more information. This marvelous set should be experienced by anyone who desires a greater understanding of the Western world and the role of the Jews in shaping it. --Jenny Brown

Product Description
About - Alef Bet trainer is an indispensable tool for learning Hebrew letters, vowels, and proper pronunciation. It is fully interactive and easily captures and maintains your childs interest. Alef Bet Trainer teaches your child in an easy to follow step by step process of letter identification including distinctions in different but similar and often confused letters. After the letters are drilled the program moves on to Vowel identification and Pronunciation. The last step is the combination of letters, vowels and pronunciation. The program winds up with your child well on the way to easy Hebrew reading. Alef Bet Trainer gives your child an excellent grounding and foundation in Hebrew reading which will last for a lifetime. Today teachers have identified poor reading skills as the main reason children encounter difficulty at learning, and the problem only becomes worse as the child grows. Alef bet Trainer is the answer to better reading and better grades. Give your child the chance to be the best he can be! Features - Its Time to Learn Alef BetTeaches: Hebrew letter recognition... Hebrew Vowels... Hebrew Pronunciation... Includes: 12 Easy steps to Hebrew Reading... Teachers Training Mode... Customized settings... On line help... Interactive games... and much more... Choice of Five Accents!

See all Editorial Reviews

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

78 of 83 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Re-issue of a great documentary from the 1980s, November 28, 2001

By	Rabbi Yonassan Gershom (Minnesota, USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

This review is from: Heritage - Civilization and the Jews (DVD)

This DVD is a re-issue of a 9-hour mini-series that first aired in the 1980s, and was recently (Nov-Dec. 2001) aired again on PBS. Each segment is 1 hour long, making it a useful tool in history classes covering many different periods. Since the "history of civilization" textbooks rarely mention what the Jews were doing in the 1900-year period between the rise of Christianity and the Nazi Holocaust, this series plays an important role in helping to make the curriculum more inclusive. Plus, The DVD version has a lot of additional resource materials not in the original PBS series.

Regarding classroom appropriateness in public schools, this is a documentary, not a "religion" series. Yes, the series does talk about religion in some places, but it's called "Civilization and the Jews" for a reason. To be Jewish is not just a "religion," it is also a culture, with its own art, music, literature, etc. The approach is a mix of history, theology, archaeology, art, architecture, etc. that is intended to inform, not preach. The series clearly shows how Jews have contributed to the various civilizations where they lived, and how, in turn, the Jews benefitted from interaction with many of the different cultures where the Jewish communities were located. Yes, it also covers the pesecutions of the Jews, but it's well-balanced with positive experiences and events. Highly recommended!

48 of 52 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Heritage - Civilization and the Jews DVD, February 6, 2002

By	Janice L. Haney (Stillwater, NY United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Heritage - Civilization and the Jews (DVD)

WOW! This is an incredible set to have. The DVD is a reprint from a PBS special in 1984 (Peabody winner, at that). Abba Eban is an incredible, captivating speaker. My only problem is that there is so much information, I can only watch about two hours at a time. This is a must have whether you are Jewish or not. The series pulls together world history unlike any class I took in college. The addition of the DVD-Rom with tons of maps, historical documents, and video clips is awesome. It has answered most of the questions I had, and let me view a moving graphical history by sliding the scroll bar. Super buy for a history buff!

38 of 43 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent!, March 13, 2003

By	Jerry Sanchez (New York) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This nine-part documentary is not only a history of the Jews, it's a history of the western world! Hundreds of thousands of dollars were probably spent in the production of this series. Abba Eban takes the viewer all over the world to examine one of the world's most gifted and intriguing people - the Jews. These tapes will not put you to sleep. The music and images allows the viewer to relive Jewish history. And consequently, come to understand the world we live in today much better. I know the tapes are pricey, but own this documentary if you ever have the chance. You'll never regret it.