JL;DR

This lecture, delivered at Lander College for Men, explores the dynamic growth and evolution of Jewish political structures in Eastern Ashkenaz. It provides an in-depth examination of how Jewish communities in this region organized themselves politically and socially from medieval times through the early modern period. The presentation highlights the interaction between Jewish and non-Jewish governance systems and the implications of these interactions on Jewish autonomy and identity. The lecturer uses historical documentation to illustrate the flourishing political life that allowed Jewish communities to navigate and negotiate their status within broader European political landscapes.