American-Israeli Cooperative Enterprise
Jewish Virtual Library: The Evian Conference
Read about the Evian Conference, a meeting of thirty-two countries which gathered in 1938 to address the question of Jewish refugees from Germany. The result of the meeting was very disappointing.
Other
American Girl: Rebecca, a Lively Girl
Meet Rebecca, a character in the American Girl series, and learn about life in New York City during the peak immigration period through this collection of stories, games, and activities. Also, includes teacher's guide and worksheets.
Yale University
White Paper of 1939
Describes the discussion and results of an Arab-British meeting to sort out the situation causing the riots of 1936-1939. Interpretations of the British mandate agreement and other British policy in Palestine were discussed, with the...
Michigan State University
Michigan State University: Feeding America Collection: Lizzie Black Kander
Lizzie Black Kander was a well known figure in Milwaukee in the early part of the twentieth century. She helped Jewish immigrants settle in the area and learn how to gain acceptance, published cookbooks and promoted the 'domestic arts'...
US Holocaust Memorial Museum
U.s. Holocaust Memorial Museum: Emigration and the Evian Conference
Article about the weak response that countries made to the need to open up immigration to more Jewish refugees prior to World War II. The arguments sound very familiar today.
Curated OER
Jewish Immigrant. Vol. 2, No. 1. (January 1909)
Online exhibit features more than two hundred treasures of American Judaica from the Library of Congress and other cultural institutions.
Other
On the Lower East Side: Observations of Life in Lower Manhattan
Links to contemporary essays about life on the Lower East Side of New York City in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. These essays cover a range of topics and are well worth exploring to find out what problems writers were exposing...
PBS
Pbs Teachers: Well Founded Fear (Lesson Plans About Asylum Seekers)
Two lesson plans about asylum seekers, one of which is based on the case of the SS St. Louis, an ocean liner of Jewish refugees seeking asylum from Nazi persecution in 1939. The lessons let students discuss how U.S. immigration and...
PBS
Pbs: Who Made America?: Innovators: Ida Rosenthal
An outspoken Russian Jewish immigrant sold American women on the first undergarment that uplifted and conformed to their shape -- the brassiere.
PBS
Pbs: Who Made America?: Innovators: Julius Schmid
Once an impoverished German-Jewish immigrant, Julius Schmid became known as the king of condoms by selling reliable modern contraception and making millions in the process.
Immigration and Ethnic History Society
Iehs: Adam Mendelsohn, "No Business Like the Clothing Business: The Rag Race"
This article focuses on why the Jews who migrated to the US after WWII became more prosperous than those who settled in England. It discusses many factors, including the clothing industry and timing.
Curated OER
Jewish Family, New York Tenement, 1912
Two short stories from Anzia Yerzierska about the challenges of Americanization that immigrants faced in the early-twentieth century.
Immigration and Ethnic History Society
Iehs: Nicole Siegel, "Pray or Play: Jews, Yom Kippur, and Baseball"
This article focuses on the importance of the Jewish holiday Yom Kippur to the Jews. It discusses how major players such as Sandy Koufax sat out games that fell on Yom Kippur.
PBS
A Life Apart: Hasidism in America
Created to support of PBS documentary, this site can stand alone in its offerings of other resources on Hasidism, clips from video and interviews, and background information on this Eastern European religious community.
White Pine Pictures
White Pine Pictures: Something From Nothing: The Schumiatcher Saga
The Shumiatcher family, Russian Jews who emigrated to Canada in the early 1900's, grew to become successful business owners and professionals. This site outlines their history and details the making of a television documentary.
Curated OER
Confirmation Class of Miami's Oldest Synagogue, 1931
The National Humanities Center offers a comprehensive site chronicles the history of antisemitism and assimilation that made up the Jewish Experience in America. Site discusses Jewish immigration and status in society.
Wisconsin Historical Society
Wisconsin Historical Society: Lizzie Black Kander (1858 1940)
Lizzie Black Kander was an important figure in Milwaukee, offering support to Jewish immigrants. Her cooking classes and cookbooks were especially popular among women.
US Holocaust Memorial Museum
Ushmm: Holocaust Encyclopedia: The United States and the Holocaust
Article about the coverage and response that news of the Holocaust received at various times throughout World War II.
Countries and Their Cultures
Countries and Their Cultures: Multicultural America: Israeli Americans
Provides an overview of the traditional culture and lifestyle of Israeli Americans. (Note: Content is not the most current.)