Jewish Immigrants 1880 1924

Discusses reasons why Jewish people left their homelands to come to America, the experiences immigrants had in the new country, and contributions they made to American society.

This collection focuses on a variety of important themes in the American Jewish and Judaic experience. It opens with essays on early Jewish settlers (1654-1820), the expansion of Jewish life in America (1820-1901), the great wave of eastern European Jewish immigrants (1880-1924), the character of American Judaism between the two world wars, American Jewish life from the end of World War II to the Six-Day War, and the growth of Jews' influence and affluence. The second half of the volume includes essays on Orthodox Jews, the history of Jewish education in America, the rise of Jewish social clubs at the turn of the century, the history of southern and western Jewry, Jewish responses to Nazism and the Holocaust, feminism's confrontation with Judaism, and the eternal question of what defines American Jewish culture. Original and elegantly crafted, The Columbia History of Jews and Judaism in America not only introduces the student to a thrilling history, but also provides the scholar with new perspectives and insights.

This book takes readers from Russia to America as it covers the wave of Jewish immigration that occurred from 1881 to 1914. Readers will gain a deep understanding of the injustices the Jews faced in Russia, from unfair laws to pogroms. They’ll follow Russian Jews on their journey to the United States, a land that promised freedom of religion and prosperity. The book also highlights the many challenges Russian Jews faced once they arrived, and the ways they invested in their future. Engaging text is paired with stunning photographs and primary sources to enhance the reader’s learning experience. This is a great addition to any social studies program involving immigration and migration.

Tells the story of how millions of Jewish immigrants came to New York's Lower East Side and how this neighborhood became the center of Jewish work, family, and culture, producing such entertainment greats as Ira Gershwin and George Burns, along with gangster Meyer Lansky.