Study Questions
1. In what respects did Jews prosper in Russia? In what ways did they have a distinct culture? How were they discriminated against?
2. Why was Mary Antin so enthusiastic about going to the United States? What did America mean to her?
3. The author claims that despite their hardships the Russian Jews built strong, healthy communities in the United States. What hardships did they encounter? How were they discriminated against? What evidence do we have of their vitality?
4. In what respects were Jewish immigrants able to preserve their traditional cultures in the New World? In what ways did the new environment undermine their traditions?
7. Why was the National Origins Act passed in 1924? Since America is an immigrant nation, why was there so much hostility to free immigration early in the twentieth century?
8. The United States has been described as a melting pot and as a mosaic. Which analogy best summarizes the early experience of the eastern European Jews? Explain your answer.
1. In what respects did Jews prosper in Russia? In what ways did they have a distinct culture? How were they discriminated against?
2. Why was Mary Antin so enthusiastic about going to the United States? What did America mean to her?
3. The author claims that despite their hardships the Russian Jews built strong, healthy communities in the United States. What hardships did they encounter? How were they discriminated against? What evidence do we have of their vitality?
4. In what respects were Jewish immigrants able to preserve their traditional cultures in the New World? In what ways did the new environment undermine their traditions?
7. Why was the National Origins Act passed in 1924? Since America is an immigrant nation, why was there so much hostility to free immigration early in the twentieth century?
8. The United States has been described as a melting pot and as a mosaic. Which analogy best summarizes the early experience of the eastern European Jews? Explain your answer.
