The History of Jewish Life in America

Follow the journey of American Jews from their arrival in 1654 to their significant contributions to the nation's politics and economics, overcoming numerous challenges.

Essential Questions

How did Jewish immigrants navigate both opportunity and exclusion in the United States?
In what ways has American life shaped Jewish identity, and how have Jews shaped American society?
What does the American Jewish experience reveal about the challenges and possibilities of belonging in a diverse democracy?

Big Ideas

Finding a Home, Facing Barriers: American Jews built thriving communities and contributed to society even as they faced discrimination, exclusion, and violence.
Shaping and Being Shaped by America: Jewish life in the U.S. has been defined by both cultural adaptation and the preservation of tradition.
From Margins to Impact: Despite antisemitism and assimilation pressures, Jews have played a vital role in shaping American politics, culture, and justice movements.

Jews have lived in the United States since 1654 — before the states were even united — when 23 refugees from Recife, Brazil, fled to New Amsterdam (present-day New York City). Today, the Jewish population of America stands at 7.5 million. Overcoming brutal sweatshop conditions, assimilationist pressure, antisemitic regulations and even lynchings, American Jews have helped positively shift the country’s politics and economics. Though they weren’t always welcomed with open arms, and despite the challenges they have faced over time, many American Jews have flourished in what is now home to the world’s second-largest community of Jews.

How to use this guide
This guide is designed to enhance your students’ engagement with the video. You can explore the video together or utilize a flipped classroom approach, assigning the video (in full or in segments) for students to watch at home, then using class time to unpack ideas together through reflection, discussion, or hands-on activities. Choose the approach that best fits your students and classroom setting.

Discussion Questions

America’s Promise to the Jews: What is the unique promise of America to Jewish immigrants? How is America different from other countries where Diaspora Jews have lived? In what ways has America lived up to its founding values, and in what ways has it fallen short of its promises?
Challenges of Immigration: How is the Jewish American immigrant experience similar to — or different from— the immigrant experiences of other groups you are familiar with? What do you think were the challenges for existing Jewish communities in America to support and absorb a much larger population of refugees and impoverished Jews?
Jewish Institutional Legacy: What enduring institutions established by Jewish American immigrants in the 19th century continue to influence American society today? Do any of those institutions surprise you?

Learning Activities

Local Jewish Roots:
Using the resources of a local Jewish Federation, Jewish historical society, and/or other research, have students explore the history of Jewish immigration and community development in your city or region. What contributions did Jewish immigrants make to the local economy, culture, or political landscape?
Heroes Across Time:
Divide your students into groups of three. Using the American Jewish History timeline, assign each group to research one theme from different eras. Topics could be Jews who fought bigotry, military heroes, Jews in public service, religious leaders, etc. For example, students could research people who fought bigotry (Asser Levy, Uriah P. Levy, Abraham Joshua Heschel). Then, in their groups, the students will analyze similarities and differences of their events.