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 seeking economic opportunity. A majority of the early newcomers were Sephardic Jews whose families had fled the Inquisition and established the first Jewish communities in colonial America. Most importantly, this is a story about Jews finding places of tolerance at a time when much of Europe was not a welcoming place for Jews, and how they navigated their way toward freedom by gaining full rights as citizens in a new society. 

• Explore how Sephardic Jews, facing persecution during the Inquisitions, established new lives across the North America. 

• Discover the arrival of the first Jewish settlers in North America, including their fight against discrimination.

• Examine the Jewish communities in colonial New Port, Savannah, Charleston, and Philadelphia, and learn how Jews built thriving communities.

• Learn about the remarkable stories of Jewish individuals, whose lives demonstrate the challenges, achievements, and lasting impact of colonial American Jews.