Jews in Colonial America

PURPOSE OF CLASS  

The purpose of this class is to tell the story of the first Jews who came to colonial North America. Many were escaping persecution and were looking for economic opportunity. A majority of the newcomers were Sephardic Jews whose families fled the Inquisition and established the first Jewish communities to be formed in colonial America.  Most importantly, this is a story about Jews finding a place of tolerance when most of Europe was not a welcoming place for Jews, and how they navigated their way to freedom by gaining full rights as citizens from their Christian neighbors. 

CLASS INCLUDES:

SPANISH AND PORTUGUESE INQUISITION: 

We will briefly explore the Spanish and Portuguese Inquisition that altered the fate of hundreds of thousands of Jews. A small number of them came to South America and other parts of the West Indies before coming to North America. 

NEW AMSTERDAM: 

We will discuss the background and happenstance arrival of the first Jews who formed a Jewish community in North America in Dutch-controlled New Amsterdam (New York). As soon as they came ashore, this small group of Jews faced anti-Semitism and discrimination. A tenacious Jew named Asser Levy fought for basic rights for himself and other Jews. 

NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND:

Jews came to Rhode Island because of the colony’s tolerance of other religions and economic possibilities. We will focus on Newport’s Jews: their economic success, and their establishment of a community. There is also a brief aside regarding their involvement in the slave trade.

SAVANNAH, GEORGIA: 

We will explore the amazing story of the first Jews to arrive in Savannah, the largest group of Jews to land in North America in Colonial days. These first Jews had recently fled Portugal and were mostly impoverished. With the help of wealthy Jews in London, they made their way to Savannah as some of its first settlers. We will discuss the amazing stories of Dr. Samuel Nunez and Abigail Minis.

CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA: 

South Carolina’s early tolerance attracted colonial Jewish settlers. Here we will explore the heroic Jews during the Revolutionary War, notably Francis Salvador, a Sephardic Jew who contributed to South Carolina’s political beginnings. 

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA: 

The Jewish community in Philadelphia were at the center of the founding of our country. We will explore prominent Jews who contributed to the founding of this country, such as Haym Solomon and Jonas Phillips.

CLASS OPTIONS:

You can choose either a set of 2 lectures (each 1 hour), or an abbreviated 1 hour lecture. Both options are followed by questions and discussion.