Essay on Russian Jew Outline

Rooney/ Tuesday 530
09/29/2014

Immigrating to a New World

In this historical tale from history books and articles; recounts the trying times of Russian Jews before and after immigrating half way across the world. Many Jewish people came to America to find freedom to flourish and prosper; but little did they know it was no easy road, and the hardships endured would push these brave immigrants to the brink of death. Yet for many, the new world was well worth the struggle.

1. Russian Jews Headed for America
a. 1880-1915, Millions of immigrants settled on American soil moving from Eastern and Southern Europe
b. It was hard for Jewish people to maintain their identities while living in America
2. Migrating, creating a new America
a. 1900, 15% of the American population was born in other parts of the world
b. 1840-1914, More than 30 million people came to America from foreign countries
c. Between the years 1905 and 1907, the influx of immigrants equaled that of the original US population
d. Not only were immigrants changed by America but America was changed by the immigrants
3. A fast growing Jewish population
a. Large numbers of immigrants were seen entering the country after 1880
b. First Jewish people came to America in 1654
c. 1850, population was 50,000 ten years later it was 150,000
d. Most refugees came from Germany during this time but after 1880 most came from Eastern Europe
4. German Jews were not so happy
a. German Jews sympathized with Jews from eastern Europe, but were also weary of their presence
b. They were embarrassed by their curious customs
i. Men had long hair and women wore wigs, their accents were so different
c. They were worried that these new comers would damage their image of respectability
d. Their position was precarious in this event
5. Why Jews had to leave their homes
a. Before tsar, the Jewish people were money lenders, tax collectors, inn keepers, and grain merchants
b. Soon the polish Jews were force under Russian domination
c. Once under tsar control their positions rapidly deteriorated
d. They could not leave the area known as the Pale of Settlement
i. This consisted of Poland, Lithuania, and Byelorussia ii. In Pale, political and economic activities were restricted iii. Jews were not allowed to own land, or engage in higher educations iv. Jews had to be drafted into the war for 25 years and were expected to change their religion to Christianity
6. The challenges of maintaining Judaism in an hostile environment strengthened their faiths
a. Religion provided Jews with a sense of community, integrity, and purpose
i. Distinctive dress, behavior, and speech ii. They observed their special holidays and prayers iii. Many young men spent years learning the Jewish Law
b. Jews were effectively a nation within a nation, driven by Russian prejudice
c. Most lived in agricultural areas; they provided goods for the agrarian population by working as artisans, small manufacturers, and merchants
d. They maintained close family ties, had high standards of hygiene, and experienced no problems with alcohol
i. Death rate was low and literacy was high
7. Escaping Europe
a. A girl named Mary Antin wrote a book about her journey to America, it was named “The Promise Land”
b. Mary Antin was deeply embedded in her faith of Judaism, as many other were
c. She learned that the world was divided between the Jews and Gentiles
d. She was teased and disrespected daily by gentiles with acceptance, as if it were part of her routine
e. Many of those Jewish were made to pay extra fees and if they didn’t or were accused of not paying then they were place back in Pollock, impoverished
i. If young men did not change their religions, then they were place in the army ii. Many of those men had self-inflicted injuries that debilitated them for life, just to avoid the war
8. Jews in the Pale of Settlement encountered daily hardships
a. They feared intense oppression, and Jewish

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