THE JEWS IN AMERICA: A History

by Rufus Learsi ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 13, 1954

An all-inclusive report on the story of the Jews in the United States, set constantly against the problems of Jews in the world. It begins with the background of the Jewish scene in earlier centuries and tells of the first small contingent of twenty-three Dutch Jews who arrived in New Amsterdam in 1654 to face the cruel antipathy of Peter Stuyvesant and his council. The book details the progress of the Jews in the various cities of the nation; it gives the story of the waves of immigration that really mounted after the Russian pogroms of 1881; it tells of Jews in industry -- including the story of the garment trade, and the happier story of Jews serving their country in its wars, philanthropy, and public life. Enemies of the Jews such as the Klu Klux Klan are listed here and so are the schisms among the Jews themselves. Mr. Learsi alligns himself with the ardent proponents of a Jewish national state, and whereas he rejoices at Jews' progress as Americans, he deplores the centrifugal tendencies away from a cohesive religion, culture, and community of their own. A good solid history and reference, with more emotion and color in the sections relating to the modern problems of American Jews.

Pub Date: Sept. 13, 1954

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: World

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 1954

Categories: NONFICTION