From the Department of the Interior, Office of Education study guide:

THE JEWS

There is no code of legislation, ancient or modern, at once so just and so merciful, so tender to the weak and poor, as the Jewish law.—THOMAS HUXLEY.

Since the Romans destroyed the original home of the Jews in Palestine, the Jews have lived in all parts of the world. They have a beautiful home life and are very loyal to the customs and traditions of their ancestors. At different times, in different countries, they have been persecuted. But, through it all, they have never lost faith in themselves and in humanity in general.

The Jews Help Columbus.

Ever since the voyage of Columbus in 1492, the Jews have been linked with the New World. "Not jewels," wrote Professor H. B. Adams, "but Jews were the real financial basis of the first expedition of Columbus." It was Luis de Santangel, a Jew, who provided much of the money for the expedition and it was two Jewish scientists who made the maps and instruments used on the voyage.

Early Jewish Settlers.

When the Jews were driven out of Portugal and Spain, many sought refuge in Brazil, a Portuguese colony which had passed into the hands of the Netherlanders. In 1654, the Portuguese recaptured Brazil. As a result, many of the Jews sailed for New Amsterdam to seek refuge with the New Netherlanders. Jewish groups came from different parts of Europe. These early Jewish settlers were merchants who, because of their connections abroad, did much to develop our early over-seas trade.

Soldiers and Patriots.

Jews from England settled in Georgia a few weeks after General Oglethorpe had established the colony in 1733. They also settled in small numbers in each of the other colonies. There were only a few thousand Jews here when the Revolutionary War broke out, but there were Jewish soldiers at Valley Forge. They fought courageously side by side with the Germans, Scotch-Irish, and other groups. Outstanding among the Jews of the day was Haym Solomon, who advanced large sums of money with which to carry on the war. During the War of 1812, another Jew, Commodore Uriah Levy, was instrumental in abolishing corporal punishment in the Navy. Shortly after the War of 1812, the number of Jewish immigrants began to increase because of persecution in Europe. Most of them were poor and, after entering the United States, became peddlers. Others, who had enough money, set up in business and opened small shops. Many of these small shops later developed into large department stores.

Refugees from Germany.

The unsuccessful German revolt of 1848, a great number of Jews came to the United States. Like other German refugees of the day, they were largely an educated group who had no difficulty in finding employment. But this wave of Jewish immigration was small compared with the one that was to follow in the early eighties. Refugees from Russia. During the Middle Ages, large numbers of Jews had settled in Poland because they were treated kindly there. Toward the close of the eighteenth century, however, Poland was divided among Russia, Prussia, and Austria. The Russian part of Poland was established as the "Pale" within which the Jews were confined. In the 1880's, persecution became so severe that great numbers of them came to the United States. Among the skilled and unskilled workers who came were many furriers, tailors, and garment makers. Most of them came to New York and to the large cities of the East. The large clothing businesses which they have developed are evidence of their self-reliance and industry.

War Heroes.

During the World War, the Jews along with the other racial groups played an active part. Most prominent among them were Charles Lauchheimer, commander of the United States Marines, and Joseph Strauss, commander of the mine-laying squadron in the North Sea. Jewish Gifts. The Jews took readily to American ways and have become leaders in music, literature, and drama. Some of our greatest concert artists—vocal and instrumental—are Jews, who have thrilled audiences in all parts of the world. Leading orchestras, too, are conducted by famous Jewish conductors. They have played a leading part in developing the giant movie industry of California. They also number some of our most popular radio, screen, and stage stars. They have given us some of our greatest scientists, inventors, bankers, merchants, labor leaders. and philanthropists.

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