All images: Collection of Yeshiva University Museum A sizeable portion of Eastern European Jewish immigrants who streamed into New York at the turn of the 20th century found work in the city’s expanding garment industry. Although only about 10% were actual trained tailors, many Jewish immigrants held experience in both producing clothing–since the garment industry in Russia was one of the only businesses open to Jews–and held industrial…
by Sarah Ponichtera, Processing Archivist, Center for Jewish History The landsmanshaftn collections of the YIVO Institute for Jewish Research here at the Center illuminate the complex role of philanthropy in immigrant Jewish culture. Although the majority of the records concern apparently mundane affairs of collecting dues and reserving graves, buying Israel bonds and making dinner reservations for meetings, their constitutions reveal a wide array…
The American Jewish Historical Society series “American Jewish Portraits” has over 100 digitized daguerreotypes, photographs and paintings of Jewish individuals from the 18th to 20th centuries. Most are of the well-to-do, and they are clad in the latest fashions of the time period. Interestingly enough, it is impossible to discern them as Jewish, as the portraits give no clues to their religion.