The Jewish Americans DVD Review
Posted by Sid Needelman on 02.16.2008
PBS recently released a series by David Grubin about The Jewish Americans, or in some cases, Americans who are Jews. The distinction is one mentioned in the four part series, between those who saw themselves first as Jews, and those who identified first as Americans. In either case it is a great account of the history of the Jewish people in the United States.
Review by Sid Needelman and Karalee Kowar
PBS recently released a series by David Grubin about The Jewish Americans, or in some cases, Americans who are Jews. The distinction is one mentioned in the four part series, between those who saw themselves first as Jews, and those who identified first as Americans. In either case it is a great account of the history of the Jewish people in the United States.
The series begins at a logical point, the first Jews arriving by boat to America from Brazil. When the Portuguese first chased the Jews from their European homes, they soon did the same in the South American controlled territory. The history of the turmoil the people faced is consistent with the narrative of Jews, overcoming hardships and peoples seeking to do them harm.
There are many interesting facts presented by the series as well. One could easily go their whole lives not knowing that there were Jews who were part of the confederacy. Following historical patterns, those few Jews were also blamed by the Confederacy as the South started to lose the war. Being called a “Judas” by the Confederacy is not the worst thing Jews have been called in retrospect.
The DVDs also mention some of the more well known parts of Jewish life in America. Those topics ranged from famous Jews like Albert Einstein’s contribution to the US, Jewish life in New York City, and how people have kept Kosher over time. The series also explains how Orthodox, Conservative and Reform movements were created in America, why they were created and how they differed.
One of the most interesting parts of the DVD for some may be the interesting look at how the African American community began to “cool” in their attitudes towards Jews. It is well known that as many as two Thirds of Whites Americans who marched with civil rights groups were Jewish. A rabbi spoke on the Mall during the March on Washington, and two of the three civil rights leaders mysteriously killed during one campaign in the South were also Jewish. Why then did the African American community seek to distance themselves with the other minority group who had been helping them? Two reasons were mentioned, the first was that as “Black Power” became a mantra in the civil rights movement, the need for Black only run of the movement was sought. This was because many people felt the process was not moving fast enough for equality and safety for Black Americans, and purging white people from the ranks was thought to be a way to empower the people at the center of the movement. Plus, like Americans white or black, there was always a mistrust of Jews. The other reasons for the split was in the neighborhoods where both minorities would live. Shop owners would be Jewish and the people paying high prices, and shopping there would be African Americans. Similarly in schools, teachers were more often Jews and students with conflict would be African American. When African Americans would want to take more control of the classrooms, and put in teachers to serve as Black role models, Jewish teachers had to be fired to create the openings. Obviously this would bring tension to the groups.
The 411: Overall the series dos a great job at covering 400 years of history about a very important group in American history. If nothing else, Americans have to appreciate who made the Deli lunch what it is today and Jewish Americans should know why they are known for their bagels.
