American Jewry

 

HISTORY

Jews have been part of American history since the colonial period of the 18th century. Jews immigrated to America in hopes they would find greater acceptance than they had in Europe. While, in general, this was the case, there have been aspects of the American Jewish experience that has also been fraught with anti-Semitism. Nevertheless, because of largely accepting communities throughout the United States, Jews in America have been perhaps even more challenged to find the balance between assimilating into the modern world and maintaining a Jewish identity.