Jewish Dealings with Anti-Semitism

Jewish dealings with Anti-Semitism

A New Promised Land: a History of Jews in America chronicles the remarkable history of Jewish advancement in America. However, with these advancements came feelings of animosity and anger. Anti-Semitism, a term used to express feelings of resentment towards Jews, was prevalent throughout this time.

Since the early development of society in the United States, the issue of treating people of different backgrounds with equality has been a divisive issue. America was built from the immigration of people from an international array of backgrounds but specifically implementing and maintaining rights for Jews remained a lengthy process.

For thousands of years Jews had lived in states in Europe and the Arab countries in which anti-Semitism was actively promoted or tacitly encouraged by the political authorities. Life in America, by contrast, was remarkable for the relative absence of official anti-Semitism. Here there were neither powerful anti-Semitic political parties or officially sanctioned barriers to the social and economic advancement of Jews, and the local and national governments protected the property and lives of Jews. However, during the time of Nazi tyranny, America refused to let in more than a handful of the Jewish refugees.

For twelve years following 1933 the Jews were persecuted by the Nazi's. Jewish businesses were boycotted and vandalized. When Hitler became chancellor in 1933, he began taking away jobs from people that were Jewish and giving them to any gentile, even those who were less qualified for the position. By 1939, Jews were no longer citizens, could not attend public schools, engage in practically any business or profession, own land, associate with any non-Jew, or visit public places such as parks and museums. The victories of the German armies in the early years of World War II brought the majority of European Jewry under the Nazis. The Jews were deprived of human rights. The Jewish people were required to live in Ghetto's which were separated from the main city. Hitler's plan of genocide was carried out with some efficiency. The total number of Jews exterminated has been calculated at around 5,750,000. Americans in the generation of Nazi tyranny in Europe did fight to defeat it, but America's refusal of Jewish refugees brings to light America's national conscience at the time.

Until the late 19th century the term Anti-Semitic did not come into play, though, Anti-Semitic feelings can be traced as far back to ancient civilizations. The Romans, for example, who had poly-theistic beliefs (the worship of many gods), did not like the Jewish faith in the belief of only one god. After Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Empire, pressure was put on Jews to convert. When they wouldn't convert many church leaders became upset and began to blame Jews for the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

Despite how far past feelings of Anti-Semitism can be traced, Jews definitely established their place within American Culture and history. Since 1654, when the first twenty-three Jews landed on American soil, they have climbed their way up the political and religious ladder, turning present day New York City into the leading Jewish community in the world. By the time Eastern European Jews arrived, America was experimenting with industry