WhatsappMassive Jewish immigration to the United States began at the end of the 19th century. Most of the Jewish immigration came from what was referred to as the Pale of Settlement in Eastern Europe and Russia. They were running away from pogroms, searching for freedom, and looking to lead a successful and happy life.
From the get go, it became clear to nearly all immigrants that the key to success lie in receiving an education and learning a profession. Jews flocked to colleges, in percentages that were way beyond other nationalities. Within one or two generations, most Jewish people were working in white collar jobs as opposed to their parents who had worked in blue collar positions.
But the main change was actually a religious one. Most of the Jews who came from Europe were traditional Jews. But the pressure to succeed and hold a job in the United States overcame the religious convictions of most of the immigrants. Within one or two generations, before World War II most of the Jewish immigrants were minimally observant or not observant at all.
The devastation of the Holocaust led to a sea change for American Jews too. There was a massive Jewish immigration to the US at the end of World War II. But it was perhaps the shock of the destruction which led to a revitalization and rebuilding of Jewish life in America in the latter part of the 20the century. This short video truly unpacks the story of Jews in America in the 20the century in an honest and truthful fashion.
