JLI: The Real Origins of Ashkenazi Jews – The Truth About the Khazar Theory

What if everything you’ve heard about the origins of Ashkenazi Jews is wrong?

The Khazar Hypothesis claims that Ashkenazi Jews are descendants of the medieval Khazar Empire, rather than the ancient Israelites. Once considered a fringe theory, this claim has gained renewed popularity since October 7, often used to challenge the Jewish people’s historical and ancestral connection to the Land of Israel.

But what does the historical evidence actually tell us?

In this fascinating conversation, historian Dr. Henry Abramson investigates the rise of the Khazar Empire, its reported conversion to Judaism, and the origins of the controversial Khazar Theory.

Knowing Jewish history is more than understanding the past. It’s understanding who we are.