Jewish Immigration by Lyiba Malik

The Push Factor

lyiba_malik — 2015-06-02 17:42:49 UTC

The European Jewish population migrated during the time of and the time before the Holocaust because of the threat of antisemitism, which included many other risks such as death. On January 30th, 1993, Adolf Hitler was appointed German chancellor. Following this, the Nazi State became a regime. Citizens had “no basic rights” according to United States Holocaust Memorial Museum (USHMM). This brought an end to the German parliamentary democracy. This could have caused some people to migrate, to have more rights, especially Jews, who violated the Nazi Laws. According to USHMM, the first response to the Nazis taking over was a wave of Jewish emigration of about 37,000-38,000 people. These people fled to neighboring countries, such as France, Belgium and the Netherlands.

During the first six years of Hitler’s dictatorship, there were more than 400 regulations and decrees restricting Jews’ lives, both public and private. German authorities killed anyone who did not match the “social norm” according to USHMM. USHMM also says European Jews were the main target of Hitler’s genocidal policies because of “racial inferiority.” This led to anti semitism, or hatred of Jews. It also led to over 345,000 Jews emigrating. This is the strongest push factor for Jews at this time, as living in an area where discrimination against their religion is present makes that area undesirable for the Jews to live there.

Antisemitism & The Holocaust

lyiba_malik — 2015-06-02 17:47:03 UTC

Anti semitism led to the Holocaust. This was the systematic and state-sponsored persecution of Jews. Millions of people died because of starvation, disease, neglect and maltreatment. According to Jewish Virtual Library, six million were killed, 1.5 million of which are children. Furthermore, these deaths accounted for 2/3 of European Jews and 1/3 of the Jewish population worldwide. The Nazi Regime also destroyed 5,000 Jewish communities. This was a major push factor for the Jews living in this area. Here, it was seen as “leave or die.”

The Holocaust is one of the biggest reasons why Jews at this time emigrated to other countries. They wanted to escape the extensive discrimination. They needed to escape the death that they would be faced with if they did not otherwise leave. Anti semitism was the strongest push factor for the Jews since it led to many Jewish deaths and oppression.

Bibliography

lyiba_malik — 2015-06-02 18:06:30 UTC

"About." No Gelt No Glory. N.p., 11 Dec. 2014. Web. 29 May 2015. .

"The Aftermath of the Holocaust." United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. United States Holocaust Memorial Council, 20 June 2014. Web. 29 May 2015. .

"Belgium." United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. United States Holocaust Memorial Council, 20 June 2014. Web. 29 May 2015. .

Efthimiadis, Tilemahos. Hanukkah Lamp (8605689671). Digital image. N.p., 5 Feb. 2013. Web. 2 June 2015. .

Electionworld. Map of Jewish Settlements in Palestine in 1947. Digital image. N.p., 2 Oct. 2003. Web. 2 June 2015. .

"France." United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. United States Holocaust Memorial Council, 20 June 2014. Web. 29 May 2015. .

Frodesiak, Anna. Wooden Dreidel. Digital image. N.p., 1 Aug. 2006. Web. 2 June 2015. .

"German Jewish Refugees, 1933–1939." United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. United States Holocaust Memorial Council, 20 June 2014. Web. 29 May 2015. .

"Hanukkah: Everything You Need to Know about Playing Dreidel." ABC7 Los Angeles. N.p., 16 Dec. 2014. Web. 29 May 2015. .

"Hanukkah." Infoplease. Infoplease, n.d. Web. 29 May 2015. .

"The Holocaust: An Introductory History." Jewish Virtual Library. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 May 2015. .

"Holocaust." Immigration in America. N.p., 16 Jan. 2012. Web. 29 May 2015. .

"Introduction to the Holocaust." United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. United States Holocaust Memorial Council, 20 June 2014. Web. 29 May 2015. .

"Jewish Emigration From Germany 1933-1939." N.p., n.d. Web. 29 May 2015. .

"Jews Migrate from Europe to Palestine, 1931-39." Jews Migrate from Europe to Palestine, 1931-39. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 May 2015. .

Mirabella, Lorraine. "Seasons, New York-based Kosher Market, Planned for Pikesville." Baltimoresun.com. N.p., 18 May 2015. Web. 29 May 2015. .

Mundi, Tyrannus. Rotated Map of Europe. Digital image. N.p., 29 May 2012. Web. 2 June 2015. .

Ras67. Budapest, Hungary – Captured Jewish Women in Wesselényi Street. Digital image. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 June 2015. .

"Refugees." United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. United States Holocaust Memorial Council, 20 June 2014. Web. 29 May 2015. .

"Spin That Dreidel: For American Children, Hanukkah Has Become a Festival of Fun." Spin That Dreidel: For American Children, Hanukkah Has Become a Festival of Fun. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 May 2015. .

"Timeline of Events." United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. United States Holocaust Memorial Council, n.d. Web. 29 May 2015. .

Tor, Telim. Places in Cuba. Digital image. N.p., 31 Dec. 2006. Web. 2 June 2015. .

Triggerhippie4. Serving in Jerusalem Restaurant including Falafel, Hummus and Israeli Salad. Digital image. N.p., 14 Sept. 2013. Web. 2 June 2015. .

"U.S Policy During the Holocaust: The Tragedy of the S.S. St. Louis." N.p., n.d. Web. 29 May 2015. .

"Voyage of the St. Louis." United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. United States Holocaust Memorial Council, 20 June 2014. Web. 29 May 2015. .

Migration to Nearby Places

lyiba_malik — 2015-06-02 18:06:30 UTC

The Jews migrated from Germany during the years between 1933-1940 from the threat of the Nazis by ship. Most places of refuge were only accessible by sea. According to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, nearby places included England, Belgium, the Netherlands, France, Denmark and Switzerland. These countries had varying feelings towards Jewish refugees. France was more welcoming towards Jews and was one of the more liberal countries. Jews later saw France as the land of opportunity and equality. Similar to this, many other immigrants viewed America as the “land of opportunity.” Belgium and the Netherlands, however, felt the exact opposite of France. Belgium had a variety of anti-Jewish laws and usually forced Jews into construction work. Belgium had even deported some refugees. The Netherlands had Jews identify themselves by wearing the yellow Star of David wherever they went. The Dutch even deported some refugees. Here, the Jews were rejected. However, unlike the Netherlands, Denmark, along with France, accepted the Jews. Denmark did not require Jewish citizens to identify themselves by a star. The citizens supported them and the country welcomed them with open arms.

Migration Overseas

lyiba_malik — 2015-06-02 18:14:49 UTC

Jews also migrated to farther places. Tickets for these ships are expensive. Families would pool together what little money they had in order to send one person aboard a ship. One particular famous ship was the St. Louis. According to Jewish Virtual Library, the journey was actually great. The passengers had access to movies, swimming pools and a variety of food on their voyage to Havana, Cuba. However, the fun ended when they arrived at their destination. Cuba refused to grant the 937 passengers asylum. The ship turned to the US. Floating off the coast of Florida, the ship cabled President Roosevelt, the current president at the time, asking for refuge, but he never responded. According to USHMM, the State Department responded with a telegram that said the passengers had to, "await their turns on the waiting list and qualify for and obtain immigration visas before they may be admissible into the United States." They had to return to Hamburg, Germany. In this case, the refugees were rejected, as both Cuba and the US turned these people down.

Cuba

lyiba_malik — 2015-06-02 18:15:38 UTC

Cuba was a popular destination for many of the Jewish. A French ship set sail towards Cuba with 104 passengers on board, where they were, once again, refused and returned to France. Here, Jews were also rejected. Another ship that was aiming for Cuba was refused and instead took refuge in Panama. The US took in most of these refugees later.

Palestine

lyiba_malik — 2015-06-02 18:18:24 UTC

Palestine was another light of hope for Jews. According to Macro History, many Jews saw Palestine as their only refuge from Hitler’s attacks. Palestine accepted them, but as the immigration numbers grew larger, they demanded an end to the mass immigration waves. This started a fight over the land, as the Jews claimed it was their homeland, and the Palestinians didn’t want a Jewish state. Here, the Jews are not necessarily rejected nor accepted, but the Palestinians don’t want them there. They are rejected, but they are refusing to move. This is like the situation when Europeans came to America. The Native Americans didn’t want them there, but they refused to move. The result was violence, and the Native Americans were forced onto reservations.

Hanukkah

lyiba_malik — 2015-06-02 18:21:18 UTC

As a result of the Jews migrating to America, they have brought many of their culture’s aspects with them. Jewish traditions, food and even holidays have been diffused into American culture. Hanukkah is a big example. In a Jew’s eyes, Hanukkah is not that big of a holiday, but its popularity has only been increasing over time. According to Infoplease, “In the United States, however, its closeness to Christmas has brought greater attention to Hanukkah and its gift-giving tradition.” Hanukkah is being celebrated by Americans who are not Jews. Hanukkah has even become commercialized, like Christmas, according to Rowan University. Another holiday like this is Thanksgiving. Schools have their young ones draw turkeys, like the Thanksgiving tradition of having turkey. Not all students are Christian, but like Hanukkah traditions, Thanksgiving traditions are still immersed into American culture. Rowan University also says, “...different December holidays tend to help us see how much we have in common." This means that December is a major month when discussing Jewish contributions. As the Rowan University said, this one similarity can help Americans to see just how much they have in common.

Kosher Food

lyiba_malik — 2015-06-02 18:25:49 UTC

Hanukkah also has special foods, called kosher food. According to the Baltimore Sun, many Jewish food stores are opening up in Maryland and expanding to New York and nearby states. The market for Jewish food is huge. Similar to this, Chinese, Mexican, and Japanese food have been immersed into American culture. Although these are country food and not religious, Jewish food can also be seen as part of American culture. For example, according to Infoplease, latkes, potato pancakes are very popular and widespread across the US and Eastern Europe. The Baltimore Sun explains that new openings of kosher food stores are “meeting a growing demand from both Jewish and non-Jewish shoppers, experts said.” This is a great example of cultural diffusion, since Jews are not the only ones eating Jewish food. Kosher food has become immersed into American culture.

The Dreidel

lyiba_malik — 2015-06-02 18:35:33 UTC

Another example of this is the dreidel. According to Infoplease, the Dreidel was actually a way for Jews to study the Torah, back in the time when religious freedom was restricted. There are Hebrew words on each side of the top, and if caught, Jews could claim that they were just playing. The Dreidel Song has been sung in schools. Franklin Public Schools, for example, had their elementary students sing this popular Jewish song. The Dreidel has become so popular, in fact, that Major League Dreidel (MLD) has been formed. According to ABC7, the MLD hosts many dreidel tournaments around Hanukkah. According to Major League Dreidel’s website, a game called Spinogogue has been formed that involves the use of the dreidel. MLD has many sponsors, which can bring many people together to help increase the popularity of the Dreidel. They focus on reinventing the Dreidel in a modern way. MLD top notch players are respected like professional athletes, but are paid in chocolate money, gelt. This has become a major pastime for many Jews and non-Jews alike. This is like the game Snakes and Ladders. It originally came from India. Not only do Indians play this game, but people of all different cultures. Like Snakes and Ladders, the Dreidel has become a popular game immersed within American culture. The biggest influence on American culture is the Dreidel. There are many people involved in playing Dreidel, singing the Dreidel song or even just spinning it for fun. Through the tournaments and the sponsors, people have been brought together by a spinning top.

Jewish Immigration: The Push Factor, Migration and Cultural Diffusion

lyiba_malik — 2015-06-02 18:38:00 UTC

Lyiba Malik

Hour 7 Global Studies

Part I

lyiba_malik — 2015-06-03 19:32:07 UTC

Identify why your group has migrated, argue for the strongest push or pull factor for their migration.

Part II

lyiba_malik — 2015-06-03 19:32:26 UTC

Describe your group’s journey and treatment when they arrived, argue whether they were accepted or rejected in their new culture.

Part III

lyiba_malik — 2015-06-03 19:33:23 UTC

Identify ways immigrants have influenced the new culture, argue the strongest influence made by this group.