Overview
Early Presence
The history of Jews in the United States traces back to the 1600s and 1700s, with the earliest communities established during the colonial era. Initially composed primarily of Sephardi immigrants fleeing the Inquisition, these small, often private communities laid the groundwork for a larger, more diverse Jewish population.
Population Growth
From a mere 1,000-2,000 residents in 1790, the Jewish population grew significantly through successive waves of immigration, particularly from Europe. By 1880, it reached approximately 250,000, and by 2019, it stood at about 7.1 million, representing roughly 2% of the U.S. population, though this figure is influenced by low birth rates and assimilation.
Community Development
Jewish communities rapidly organized, establishing synagogues, educational institutions, and philanthropic societies. These organizations played a crucial role in supporting immigrants, fostering cultural continuity, and integrating into American society, often bridging the gap between tradition and modernity.
Immigration Waves
Sephardi Roots
Early Jewish settlers, predominantly Sephardi Jews, arrived from places like Brazil, Amsterdam, and England. Many were seeking refuge from religious persecution, particularly the Spanish Inquisition. Cities like Newport, Charleston, and New York became early centers for these communities.
German Ashkenazi Migration
In the mid-19th century, a significant wave of Ashkenazi Jews arrived from German-speaking states. These immigrants, often educated and influenced by the Haskalah (Jewish Enlightenment), established businesses across the country and played a key role in founding Reform and Conservative Judaism in America.
Eastern European Influx
From 1880 to 1914, approximately two million Yiddish-speaking Ashkenazi Jews immigrated from Eastern Europe, fleeing pogroms and antisemitism. They settled heavily in New York City, significantly shaping urban life, labor movements, and the garment industry.
Colonial Era
Early Settlements
Jewish individuals were present in the colonies from the 17th century. Joachim Gans arrived in 1584, and Elias Legarde in Virginia in 1621. The first organized Jewish community arrived in New Amsterdam (New York City) in 1654, fleeing Brazil. Religious tolerance, though varied, allowed for the establishment of congregations.
Religious Freedom
Colonial charters, such as that of South Carolina, often granted liberty of conscience. This facilitated the growth of communities in cities like Newport, Rhode Island, home to the historic Touro Synagogue (built 1759), and Charleston, South Carolina, which boasted the largest Jewish population in North America by 1816.
Revolutionary Era
Patriot Support
By the Revolution, around 2,000 Jews lived in the colonies. Many supported the Patriot cause, with figures like Haym Salomon playing a crucial role in financing the Continental Army. Francis Salvador was the first American Jew killed in action.
Political Equality
George Washington's letter to the Newport congregation in 1790 affirmed religious tolerance. While legal restrictions persisted in some states, the U.S. Bill of Rights and evolving state laws gradually moved towards granting full civil and political equality, fostering a sense of inclusion.
19th Century Developments
Community Organization
The 19th century saw organized Jewish philanthropy and community building, with institutions like B'nai B'rith founded in 1843. German Jewish immigrants established Reform and Conservative Judaism, adapting religious practices to the American context.
Banking and Commerce
German Jewish immigrants founded prominent investment banking firms like Goldman Sachs, Lehman Brothers, and Kuhn, Loeb & Co. They also established widespread dry goods stores and played significant roles in commerce and manufacturing across the nation.
Western Expansion
Jewish settlers were integral to the expansion westward, establishing communities in cities like San Francisco, Portland, and Seattle. Many began as peddlers before becoming successful merchants and entrepreneurs, with figures like Levi Strauss becoming iconic.
Civil War Era
Military Participation
Approximately 10,000 Jews served in the American Civil War, with roughly 7,000 on the Union side and 3,000 for the Confederacy. Jewish generals and officers served with distinction on both sides.
Grant's Order & Response
General Ulysses S. Grant's infamous General Order No. 11 in 1862, expelling Jews from his military district, was quickly rescinded by President Lincoln. This event, along with the successful fight for a Jewish chaplaincy, bolstered Jewish self-confidence and affirmed their rights.
Political Engagement
Jews began organizing politically, with early representatives like Lewis Charles Levin and David Levy Yulee elected to Congress. President Grant, seeking to amend for his wartime order, appointed Jews to public office, fostering greater inclusion.
Progressive Era & Social Movements
Labor and Socialism
Many Eastern European Jewish immigrants were drawn to labor and socialist movements, establishing influential Yiddish newspapers and organizations. They played a significant role in founding unions, particularly in the garment industry, and advocating for workers' rights.
Civil Rights Advocacy
Jewish Americans were at the forefront of various progressive causes, including civil rights, civil liberties, women's rights, and peace movements. They actively fought against prejudice and discrimination, contributing to broader social reforms.
The Leo Frank Case
The wrongful conviction and subsequent lynching of Leo Frank in Atlanta in 1913 highlighted rising antisemitism. In response, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) was founded in 1913 to combat prejudice and advocate for Jewish rights.
1930s & World War II
New Deal Coalition
Jewish voters, largely liberal and left-leaning, became a significant force within the Democratic Party's New Deal coalition. They supported New Deal programs and were active in the Civil Rights Movement, though tensions arose with the Black Power movement.
Refugees and Restrictions
Despite efforts by Jewish leaders, restrictive immigration quotas enacted in the 1920s severely limited the admission of Jewish refugees fleeing Nazi persecution in the 1930s. The U.S. became a primary refuge after the Holocaust destroyed European Jewish communities.
Military Service
During World War I and II, Jewish Americans served in disproportionately high numbers in the U.S. armed forces, reflecting their commitment to American ideals and their fight against Nazism.
Regional Developments
New York City
As the primary port of entry for Eastern European immigrants, New York City became the world's largest Jewish population center by 1910. Its vibrant Yiddish culture, labor movements, and political activism profoundly influenced American Jewish life.
San Francisco
Following the Gold Rush, San Francisco emerged as a major Jewish hub on the West Coast. Jewish entrepreneurs, including Levi Strauss, played pivotal roles in the city's development, often finding greater acceptance and opportunity in the West.
Chicago & Beyond
Chicago's Jewish community, initially German, grew with Eastern European immigrants, becoming a center for industry and social reform. Smaller communities across the nation, from Clarksburg, WV, to Wichita, KS, developed unique ethnoreligious identities, often centered around synagogues and family businesses.
Politics and Influence
Political Alignment
American Jews have historically leaned towards liberal and progressive political stances, strongly supporting the New Deal and the Civil Rights Movement. While a conservative element exists, particularly within Orthodox communities, the majority have remained aligned with the Democratic Party.
Government Representation
Jewish individuals have increasingly attained high-level positions in government, including cabinet appointments, Supreme Court justices, and congressional representation, reflecting their integration and influence in American political life.
Fighting Discrimination
Jewish organizations have been instrumental in combating antisemitism and advocating for religious freedom and minority rights. Their activism has contributed to shaping American laws and fostering interreligious dialogue.
Culture and Philanthropy
Philanthropic Traditions
Philanthropy is a core value, with significant contributions directed towards supporting Jewish communities, Israel, hospitals, and higher education. Figures like Julius Rosenwald exemplified large-scale philanthropy, impacting both Jewish and broader American society.
Education and Identity
Emphasis on education, both secular and religious, has been a hallmark. Organizations like the National Council of Jewish Women worked to Americanize immigrants while preserving Jewish identity, supporting religious education for girls and advocating for immigrant rights.
Language and Arts
Yiddish language and culture flourished, particularly among Eastern European immigrants, influencing literature, theater, and music. American Jewish contributions span diverse artistic fields, reflecting a rich cultural heritage adapted to the American landscape.
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