Images from The Jewish Museum beautifully illustrate this history of Jews in America. The story began in 1654 when 23 Jews arrived as settlers in New Amsterdam. Rubin follows American Jewry through both well-known and lesser-known historical scenes. Waves of Jews emigrated from Eastern Europe, and many started as peddlers to become famous Jewish entrepreneurs such as the jeans-manufacturer Levi Strauss, Julius Rosenwald of Sears Roebuck and Hollywood’s Samuel Goldwyn and Louis B. Mayer. But Jews also had less-celebrated (but equally fascinating) roles in the history of America. Haym Salomon fought for the revolution with the Sons of Liberty, Josie Sarah Marcus lived as Wyatt Earp’s common-law wife and Joseph Lieberman ran for vice-president of the United States. Despite uninspiring writing and book design, the comprehensive illustrations and intriguingly obscure content make this a valuable addition to a collection of American Judaica. (glossary, notes, references, index) (Nonfiction. 9-13)
