Jewish and Italian Immigration

Paper Summary:

This paper examines "From Ellis Island to JFK: New York's Two Great Waves of Immigration" by Nancy Foner which looks at why the immigrant experience of America has so often proved to be a successful one. It dispels the myth that successful immigrants came from "nothing" and from "persecution," an idea enjoyed by many of their children and grandchildren and discusses how many of these immigrants came to the country proud and tall and not huddled and yearning. It shows how they were rich, if not in land and money, then in social connections and in family connections and how they were well versed in the social skills of creating networking relationships amongst those of their ethnic and religious background.

From the Paper:

"Jewish immigrants, says Foner, were not "from the depths of their societies." In other words, high proportions of the Jewish immigrants to America were skilled rather than unskilled laborers. They did not come "naked," but possessed a marketable trade, often tailors, carpenters, dressmakers, and shoemakers. These individuals thus could be resourceful in setting up their own businesses. They often had or could develop connections to larger professional and social networks than cast-off individuals. Their immediate integration into the professional life of a community because of their skills, combined with the theological centrality of the synagogue facilitated these immigrant's integration into the American economic fabric in a way that still allowed them to retain their essentially Jewish character."

More papers on Jewish and Italian Immigration:

• Analytical Essay # 116038 : "Immigration in Film"
• Analytical Essay # 65219 : "Immigrants in Urban America"
• Persuasive Essay # 94678 : "Racial Issues"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: