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Joel Silverstein REL 321 ASU at Lake Havasu Fall 2014
Jews In America Joel Silverstein REL 321 ASU at Lake Havasu Fall 2014
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Before we get started... “...it is clear that a freshness of thought and a deepening of spirituality was also penetrating a Judaism that was in danger of ceasing to be a living religion.” Corrigan & Hudson, 2010, P.291
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Overview History of Jews Coming to America Anti-Semitism The Holocaust
Religious / Family Life American Jews and Israel Position of Jews In America Summary and Questions Jews on Ellis Island (larrykuperman.com) And a pop-up of Jews in America – both good and bad!
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Judaism is… “A 4,000 year old tradition with ideas about what it means to be human and how to make the world a holy place” (Rabbi Harold Kushner, To Life, 1993) A “covenant relationship” between G-d and the Hebrew people. The Patriarchs: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob (“Israel”) – origins of the Hebrew people. Enslaved in Egypt and freed by Moses (3,300 years ago). A faith, a people, a way of life… Gentiles who have not been exposed to jews need a little history.
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As a faith, Jews Believe…
In one G-d, creator of the universe, personal but non-corporeal In prophets of old – Moses, through whom Torah was revealed to the Hebrew people. In Torah (Five Books of Moses [Bible]) Contains religious, moral and social law. Guides the life of a Jew.
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As a people, Jews are… A nation in Diaspora (dispersed)
15 – 16 million in worldwide population. A common heritage (an “ethnic” religion), modified in practice: Orthodox: Modern Chasidic (Ultra Orthodox) Reformed (18th century Germany) Conservative – moderates, response to reform. Reconstructionalism (20th century America)
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As a way of life, Judaism is based on…
613 commandments found in Torah (“Written Law”) Talmud (“Oral Law”) – commentary of ancient rabbis that elaborates on how to apply G-d’s Law through: Dietary rules (Kashrut/Kosher) Dress and other symbols Prayer and devotion to the one G-d The Temple and Temple rites Observance of Holy days Proper social relations Thus sanctifying life, blessing it in every way.
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How is Judaism related to Christianity?
Judaism predates Christianity – It is the foundation of Christianity but not a part of it. Jews do not believe that Jesus was anything more than a good and wise Jewish man– Jews still await their messiah. The Jewish messiah would not be divine. A political figure who restores the Hebrew monarchy and causes peace. Jews are not concerned about salvation and the “world to come.”
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What are Jews really concerned about?
Tikkun Olam - “repairing the world” through justice and righteousness; through “deed, not creed.” The heart of Judaism is in the home and family, social responsibility, and doing Mitzvot (good deeds). Through education and hard work we make our lives, the lives of others, and the world,– Holy!
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Race, Religion, or Ethnic Group?
Jews are a subordinate group Experience unequal treatment (like women). Share a cultural history . Ascribed status or involuntary status – A Jew is Born. Group solidarity. “In-group” marriage. Identity is based on a shared culture. Best classified as an ethnic minority.
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First Jewish migration c. 1654 from Spain and Portugal.
Coming to America First Jewish migration c from Spain and Portugal. Settled in Charleston, SC, and Newport, RI. Population remained low during 17th & 18th century. Most Jewish immigration occurred from The primary reason for Jews immigrating to the US was for religious freedom. there may have been 250 jews in america in the 17th and 18th century – they came up through the Caribbean
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Jewish Population Unites States Europe Israel
,000 ,072,000 ,500,000 ,975,000 ,400,000 ,275,000 ,271,680 Europe 1900 8,977,581 1942 9,237,314 1970 3,228,000 2010 1,455,900 ,426,900 Israel ,600 1970 2,582,000 2010 5,413,800 2012 5,901,000 (Palestine) (jewishvirtuallibrary.org) Total World Wide Population – million
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Four Generations Josse Silverstein 1898 Abraham M. Silverstein 1920
1909 – Age 11 – comes to America Abraham M. Silverstein 1920 Jeffrey Victoria Joel 1959 Charles 1985 Jane 1998 Jona 2001 coming to America --- one little boy produces people that affect the lives of others ....
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U.S. Immigration Act of 1920 Designed to halt the immigration of "dysgenic" Italians and Eastern European Jews, whose numbers had mushroomed from to (Lombardo, 2011) Considered Anti-Semitism and Anti-Catholic in disguise. Immigrant Jews in 1930’s were refugees from Nazi Germany. Recent immigration has been from Israel, Soviet Union, and Iran. quota system allowed only a percentage of the us population -- so if jews were 1.5% then the percentage of immigrants who were jewish could only be 1.5%
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Albert Einstein 1879-1955 Fled Germany 1933 Became US Citizen 1940
Theoretical Physicist Philosopher of Science Considered himself agnostic Offered Presidency of Israel 1952 (Karsh)
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From there to here From Settled in:
Russia, Ukraine, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, and Austria. Settled in: New York Boston Philadelphia Chicago Most stay in states they landed – some dispersed New York 1,700,000 California ,250,000 Florida ,000 Massachusetts 300,000 Illinois ,000 Arizona ,000 (jewishvirtuallibrary)
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Where Jews Live in America Today.
“Where there is oxygen, there are Jews.” Rabbi Rosenbaum, 2014 (brandeis univ, 2013)
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Jewish Americans U.S. has the largest Jewish population in the world.
America’s 6 million Jews account for 46% of world’s Jewish population. Play a prominent role in local & worldwide Jewish community. 2nd largest Jewish population in Israel. Only nation in which Jews are majority. American Jews superficially resemble Asian Americans in that both are largely free from poverty.
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Trend in the United States
Judaization Lessening of the significance of religion and an increase in culture as the bond among Jews (assimilation). Issue of what “makes a Jew” figures in policy matters. The Israel Law of Return Defines who is a Jew. Extends Israeli citizenship to all Jews. Jewish identity is ethnic Share cultural traits not physical features.
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Meyer Lansky July 1902-Jan 1983 Lower East Side, NYC
“Mob’s Accountant” Developed Organized Crime Financed Flamingo, Las Vegas Casinos in Cuba Broke up Pro-Nazi Rallies Influenced Politics At one time considered one of the most powerful men in America.
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Anti-Semitism History of Jews includes the struggle to overcome hatred. Religious observances commemorate past sacrifices or conflicts. Passover, Hanukkah, and Purim, Holocaust, Six-Day War Formation of negative stereotypes. Origins of anti-Semitism...go back to the beginning. Note: “Judiasm” is a religion whereas “Jew” is a race.
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“hostility towards or prejudice against Jews or Judaism.”
Anti-Semitism “hostility towards or prejudice against Jews or Judaism.” 70 B.C.E Jerusalem is conquered by Romans. Blamed for the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. 4th Century Jews were disliked by Christians. St. Augustine – “wicked sect” 6th Century Anti-Semitism is Law in Christian Nations. 13th Century Germany requires all Jews to wear cone-shaped hats. St. Augustine, one of Christianity's influential leaders, compared the Jewish people to Cain, who murdered his brother and became the first criminal in biblical history. The Jews, St. Augustine wrote, were "a wicked sect" and should be banished because of their evil. (Hilberg, 2010)
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15th Century – Jews forced to live in “ghettos.”
Martin Luther book – “On the Jews and Their Lies.” Significant influence on German Anti-Semitism . 17th Century – thousands of Polish / Russian Jews killed. 19th Century ...a reprieve Jews enjoy freedom in France and begin migration to U.S. 20th Century – it’s back 1920 Immigration Law. 1933 Hitler designs the “Final Solution” to annihilate the Jewish race.
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Early Anti-Semitism in the U.S.
Colonial America Peter Stuyvesant attempts to expel Jews from New Amsterdam (NYC). Jews were “deceitful, repugnant, and hateful enemies.” The 1920’s and 1930’s periods overt anti- Semitism 1920 Henry Ford prints 500,000 copies of “The International Jew.” 1921 Ku Klux Klan directs hatred to Jews. 1934 Pro Nazi Publication Liberation. Publishes Ben Franklin’s Anti-Jewish statements from Continental Convention. 1939 Congress refuses to admit 20,000 Jewish refugee children. American Denial of the Holocaust.
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Ruth Bader Ginsberg March 1933 – Associate Justice Supreme Court
Advancement of Women’s Rights ACLU Brooklyn, NY JMHS / Rutgers / Columbia Grew up in my neighborhood – went to the high school i went to ....
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The Holocaust Systematic persecution and annihilation of European Jewry by Nazi Germany and its collaborators. German policy and the restriction of the rights of Jews. Between two-thirds of Europe's Jewish population were killed – 6 Million. (eurojewcon.org)
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Modern Anti-Semitism Holocaust Revisionists
Vocal community who claim that the holocaust did not happen. Blame Jews for 9/11 Attacks. Anti-Semitism not just historical social phenomenon in Europe Jewish worshippers attacked with rocks and insults. Growing Arab and Muslim population in Europe offer an audience for Christian-generated anti-Semitism. Spills over to USA. Henry Ford’s Protocols sold by Wal-Mart until 2004 Spanish version sold in Mexico City.
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Differences Between Anti-Semitism in the United States and Europe
Anti-Semitism was not institutionalized in America. U.S. government never promoted anti-Semitic policies. U.S. never embarked on program of expulsion or extermination. Jews did not develop a defensive ideology. Jewish American can make personal decision on assimilation or secularization.
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Contemporary Anti-Semitism
Internet growing as a vehicle for anti-Semitism. Hundreds of websites Popularized Religion Anti-Defamation League of B’nai B’rith (1913) Monitors anti-Semitic incidents. Rise in numbers in 1990’s and 2001. Carried out by neo-Nazis or skinheads. Groups of young people who champion racist and anti-Semitic ideologies.
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Steven Spielberg Dec. 1946 – Film Maker Cincinnati, OH Orthodox
Memorializes Jews in Films (guardian.co.uk) “I was embarrassed because we were Orthodox Jews. I was embarrassed by the outward perception of my parents' Jewish practices. “
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American Jews and Israel
Concerned that Jews in US would ignore other Jews. Israel’s status proven to be strong source of identity for Jewish Americans. Wars of 1967, 1973, 1991, 2004 remind world of Israel’s vulnerability. Not all American Jews agree with Israel’s actions. United Jewish Appeal (UJA) 1939 Finances Israel and Jews around the world. $1 – Billion Annually when israel was created jews there were concerned that american jews would forget about them --
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American Jews and African Americans
Jews founded the NAACP 1909 Jews founded the ACLU 1920 Jewish Americans active in civil rights causes and contributed generously to legal defense funds. Jewish employers quicker than Gentiles to hire African Americans. Black-Jewish contention 1960’s activists and Black Panther party supported Arabs. 1984 – Jesse Jackson and Louis Farrakhan broadcast anti-Semitic remarks. common bond of persecution and exclusion ism
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A Black and a Jew in the Whitehouse
Rham Emanuel 1959 – Congress Whitehouse Chief of Staff Mayor of Chicago Liberal Social Issues Modern Orthodox Yeshiva educated Sarah Lawrence, Northwestern Wife Converted to Judaism
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Position of Jewish Americans
Employment and Income Declining discrimination in the business world. Jewish MBAs, MDs, PhD’s and job opportunities. Own companies, stores, consulting, manufacturing. Rising rapidly up the corporate hierarchy. Higher salaries. Declining poverty and the invisible poor Anne Wolf (1972) “The Invisible Jewish Poor” Jewish poor remain invisible to rest of society. Similar to Chinese Americans and not well served by the Economic Opportunity Act and other federal programs of the 1960’s. 25% $150k + 45% $35-$145K 20% < $30k (pew.org) income level is higher than non jews- 20% figure is over age 65 and under age 25
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Education Judaic religion and the emphasis on formal schooling.
Emphasis on education. Higher educational attainment 68% vs. 24% College Educated 1947, Jews founded graduate schools of medicine, education, social work, and mathematics. Brandeis University Jewish sponsored contribution to higher education. Nonsectarian (admission is not limited to Jews). More than thirty universities. 68% of jews have college education vs. 24% of non jews
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Organizational Activity
Religious, charitable, political, and educational. United Jewish Appeal (UJA) (1939) Fund raising organization for humanitarian causes. American Jewish Community (1906) and Congress (1918) Improve Jewish-Gentile relations. B’nai B’rith (Sons of the Covenant) (1843) Promotes cultural and social change (Anti-Defamation League).
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Political Activity Prominent role as voters and elected officials.
Mayors Congressmen Governors Senators Justices Cabinet Members Sec’y State Prominent role as voters and elected officials. Likely to label themselves as liberal. Senator Joseph Lieberman (CT) First Orthodox Jew elected to Senate. VP candidate of Al Gore Some Jews backed extreme responses to Arab-Israeli conflict. Few settled in Israel and were vocal backers of resistance to any accommodation to Arab nations or Palestinian Authority.
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Chuck Schumer November 1950 - US Senator - NY Focuses on local issues
Health care reform Equal Pay Women’s Rights Brooklyn, NY JMHS, Harvard (associatedpress) Chuck lived across the street from the high school and would frequently come over to the school
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Ideological Similarities
Jewish Beliefs Emphasis on education and intellectual freedom. Charity and helping the weak and oppressed. The need to make the world a better place. Democracy / Liberalism Affirmative action- allowing everyone the right of education Women’s Rights / Pro Choice. Social justice organizations and the focus on the people.
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Religious Life Identity and participation in religion are not the same. Many consider themselves Jewish and are considered Jewish by others though never participated in religious life. Levels of affiliation Orthodox: 8% Conservative: 29% Reconstructionist: 2% Reform: 30% Just Jewish: 29% Not sure: 2% (pew.org)
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Religious Sects (mid-19th Century)
Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform Judaism Based on varying acceptance of traditional rituals. Reasons for differences Some Jews wanted to be less distinguishable from other Americans. The absence of a religious elite and bureaucratic hierarchy, which facilitated breakdown in traditional practices. Orthodox life is demanding Ultra-Orthodox are Hasidic. Life conducted according to traditions and rituals. Strict adherence to the Torah.
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Conservative Judaism – in between Orthodox and Reform
Deeply committed to faith but altered many of the rituals. Changed traditions to reflect social changes. More Americanized. The Reform Tradition Reform are least likely to participate in predominantly Jewish organizations. More Assimilated Effort to observe high religious occasions.
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Synagogues Central meeting place for Jews Reform 840 766,000
Daily and Weekly Services Religious Sanctuary Religious Schools Reform ,000 Conservative ,776 Orthodox 1, ,020 Reconstructionist 95 41,436 Temple Beth El – NYC founded 1845 built 1929
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Bernie Madoff April 1938- Queens, NY Madoff Investment Securities
Chairman NASDAQ Largest Financial Fraud in History $15-$65 Billion Negative Affect on Jewish Institutions Hadassah Women's Zionist Org Elie Wiesel Foundation (forbes.com)
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Role of the Family Shadchan Marriage broker or matchmaker.
Fulfilled important function by ensuring marriage of all eligible people. Less acceptable to young Jews because of romantic love. Traditionally remained in extended families. Observers argue that Jewish family no longer maintains role in identity transmission due to assimilation.
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Jews cannot totally lose identity
Jewish Identity Improvement of Jewish-Gentile relations creates new problems It became possible for Jews to shed their “Jewishness” or Yiddishkait. Jews cannot totally lose identity Denied total assimilation in the US. Social clubs may still refuse membership. Non-Jewish in-laws interfere with marriage plans. Maintain on-going Jewish friendships.
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Elana Kagan 1960 - Associate Justice Supreme Court
Separation of Powers NYC Oxford, Princeton, Harvard
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World Events: Reminder of Heritage
Nazi Germany Founding of Israel (1948) 1967 Six-day War Soviet interference 1972 Munich Olympics Yom Kippur War (1973) 1973 Oil Embargo UN’s 1974 anti-Zionism vote Scud missile attacks during 1991 Gulf War Changes in Halakha Jewish law covering obligations and duties – regarding women.
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Devotion is way to preserve ethnic identity.
Role of Religion Devotion is way to preserve ethnic identity. Question not so much ideology as of observing commandments of traditional Jewish law. Marginality The status of living in two distinct cultures simultaneously. Jews who give some credence to secular Christmas.
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Role of Cultural Heritage
Religious observance small aspect of Jewishness. Identity expressed in many ways including: Political, cultural, social, and family activities. Gentiles mistakenly believe speaking Yiddish is a measure of Jewishness. Jews have spoken many languages throughout history, Yiddish is just one.
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American Jewish Committee (1906) 10 problems endangering Jewish family
1. More Jews marry later than other groups. 2. Most organizations of single Jews no longer operate solely for matching – now support single lifestyle. 3. Divorce rate is rising. 4. Birthrate is falling, childlessness socially acceptable. 5. Financial success more important than child raising. 6. Intensity of family interaction decreased. 7. Less socializing across generation lines. 8. Sense of responsibility of family members to each other has declined. 9. Role of Jewishness no longer central in Jew’s lives. 10. Intermarriage has lessened involvement of Jewish partner in Jewish life and aspects of family life.
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Yet every Jew instinctively knows...
"(Every man should) plant a tree, have a child, and write a book. These all live on after us, insuring a measure of immortality." Attributed to the Talmud and Jose’ Marti 1853 – he became a symbol for Cuba's bid for independence against Spain in the 19th century, and is referred to as the "Apostle of Cuban Independence fought for Jewish rights in Cuba when they emmigrated to cuba from caribbean --- by 1924 more than jews lived in cuba
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Review History of Jews Coming to America Anti-Semitism The Holocaust
Religious / Family Life American Jews and Israel Position of Jews In America Corrigan and hudson would write off the jews – they have no concept of the pride ---
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Questions?
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References Corrigan, J., & Hudson, W. (2010). The Shifting Religious Configuration In Religion in America: An historical account of the development of American religious life (8th ed.). Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Prentice Hall. Hertzberg, A. (1997). The jews in america: Four centuries of an uneasy encounter : A history. New York: Columbia University Press. Hilberg, R. (2010, November 1). The Southern Institute for Education and Research. Retrieved November 10, 2014, from Jewish Virtual Library Kushner, H. S. (1993). To life: A celebration of Jewish being and thinking. Boston: Little, Brown.
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References Lombardo, P. (2011, December 1). Social Origins of Eugenics. Tighe, E., Saxe, L., De Kramer, R., & Parmer, D. (2013). American Jewish Population Estimates: Waltham: Brandeis University Retrieved November 8, 2014. Wolfe, A. (1972). The Invisible Jewish Poor. Berman Jewish Policy Archive. Retrieved November 1, 2014, from
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