What is 'Jewish History'? The history of the Jewish people resists simple definitions, fitting for a people whose very name traces back to Judah, the biblical figure blessed to be the gathering point for all Israelites in exile: a legacy of unity through dispersion. History is, at its core, a record of people and their identity, displayed through texts and other sources. Non-Jewish authors also deserve consideration too, as they reflect the presence and perception of the Jewish existence. Just as crucially, one who does not fit modern, rabbinic, or cultural standards still belongs a part of this narrative. Their stories deepen the complexity and authenticity of what we call Jewish history. So the real question is not what or who counts, but how these pieces come together in a puzzle that refuses to solve neatly.

Then that begs the question: Was Jewish history ever meant to be tidy in the first place?