The Shapiro Family (1) by AWARE-LA

Ellis Island, United States

ericwmichalak — 2022-07-02 19:52:56 UTC

Welcome to Ellis Island, gateway to the United States for everyone without a first or second class ticket. This is how over 12 million people will enter the U.S.—In fact, over 40% of all Americans can trace their roots to someone who passed through here.

Welcome to the Melting Pot!

You will need to fit in, so hard decisions must be made.

Gorod Voronezh, Voronezh Oblast, Russia

ericwmichalak — 2022-07-02 19:57:49 UTC

MEMBERS:

Samuel Shapiro, age 46

Sarah Shapiro, age 40

Ida Rosen (Sister to Sarah), age 38

Bill Shapiro, age 21

Ben Shapiro, age 19

Nathan Shapiro, age 18

Hyme Shapiro, age 16

Anna Shapiro, age 9

OCCUPATION:

Furniture, Needlework

FROM:

Ekaterinoslav, Russia

MIGRATION TO THE UNITED STATES:

1892, to escape persecution and discrimination.

Click Here for your family's cultural identity

Wisconsin, USA

ericwmichalak — 2023-01-17 21:44:56 UTC

Your family moves to a small Wisconsin town and establishes a furniture making business.

However, your family celebrates Sabbath on Saturday and your community furniture store is closed on these days. Each Saturday for months, the store is vandalized and your family ridiculed for this difference in religious tradition.

What will you sacrifice for the sake of your business?

A. Spiritual Traditions

B. Food Traditions

C. Language Traditions

Wisconsin, USA

ericwmichalak — 2023-01-17 22:07:16 UTC

There is a movement in your small town to drive your family out of town. Flyers are posted with vicious stereotypes to increase anti-Semitic sentiment amongst the community residents.

What will you sacrifice to keep your family safe?

A. Spiritual Traditions

B. Food Traditions

C. Language Traditions

Wisconsin, USA

ericwmichalak — 2023-01-17 22:15:10 UTC

Slowly, your family furniture store becomes locally renowned. Business is steady and the business is profitable.

Wisconsin, USA

ericwmichalak — 2023-01-17 22:16:47 UTC

Your children are allowed to attend school. In Russia, Jews were barred from the education system. This is the first time in generations that your family has access to institutional education. The education of your family becomes extremely important.

Wisconsin, USA

ericwmichalak — 2023-01-17 22:28:00 UTC

From an early age, your children are ridiculed by their classmates for their accents, their use of Yiddish, and for their darker physical features and prominent noses. The older boys often fight with the other students in school and are fiercely protective of their younger sister, Anna. Teachers do not intervene to stop the violence against your children.

What will you give up to keep your children safe?

A. Spiritual Traditions

B. Food Traditions

C. Language Traditions

Wisconsin, USA

ericwmichalak — 2023-01-17 22:32:44 UTC

Your children learn English in school and are able to operate the business of the furniture store.

Wisconsin, USA

ericwmichalak — 2023-01-17 22:38:38 UTC

The store has been doing extremely well. Some financial surplus allows you to bring over a much loved Aunt and cousin from Russia to the United States. This family reunion rekindles a sense of culture and faith in your family and you feel grateful to be able to keep your family safe from the violence in Europe.