This program tells the fascinating story of Jewish immigration to America, beginning with Jewish life in Europe during the Late Middle Ages, the Spanish Inquisition, and the expulsion from various European countries. The lectures will explore the earliest Jewish settlers in the Western Hemisphere, their role in the English colonies, and how they made a living while maintaining their identity. Topics include Jewish involvement in the Revolutionary War, the Westward expansion, and the Civil War, along with the influx of Central and Eastern European Jews in the 19th century. The program will also examine U.S. immigration policy, including the 1920s restrictions, FDR’s policies, Soviet Jews’ immigration, and today’s political context.

"She is knowledgeable, clever, very well spoken and has a great sense of humor!” - OLLI Patron

LECTURES:

1. The Age of Discovery and the Colonization of America. The earliest years of migration.  Jews in Colonial America.

2. From the Revolutionary War to the Civil War. The growth of the Jewish population in America. The spread of Jewish communities. Who was coming, and how did they fit in?

3. Post-Civil War America. The great immigration of the second half of the 19th century and how this changed the composition of the Jewish population. Experiments in utopian communities and religious diversity.

4. The 20th Century and Beyond. The closing of the gates. A review of American immigration policies, up to the present.  American policy towards Jews fleeing Europe during the rise of Hitler.  U.S. policy on Soviet Jews.

Live In-Person with Video Catch-up. Available 2-3 business days after the live lecture. You will have approximately two weeks to view the video.