Jewish Immigration Into Texas
Flag of Origin
This is the Israeli flag but the Jews didn't come from Israel. They actually came from Central Europe. The religion of Judaism orginated in Israel but quickly spread through out Centeal Europe and then through out the whole world.
Homeland and Push Factors
The first Jewish individuals left Israel because of hardships and oppression, or they moved with a loved one, and the earliest settlers did not always practice their faith openly. In Central Europe most Jews were discriminated against. The Jews were not happy there and wanted to leave so they could believe what the wanted to believe. In Central Europe the main religion was christianity, so most Central Europeans were christians. This was hard for the Jews because the christians treated them very harsh and were rude. The Jews couldn't take for much longer so they decided to travel to texas.
Texas, Pull Factors
The earliest Jews, who arrived with the conquistadors, came from Israel.Texas was a land of promise that seemed to have limitless potential. For many Jews, Texas offered more religious freedom than they had in Europe. The movement of Jewish settlers followed the standard patterns of movement throughout the state for religious reasons. Trade routes, railroad lines, new towns, established communities, and relatives who had already arrived drew Jewish settlers to diverse areas of Texas. The main pull factor of the Jews is freedom of religion. It was freedom of religion because many of the Jews had other ideas about Judaism and what exactly they believe so they came to Texas to create branches of Judaism. Some of the other pull factors are trade routes, and amount of land, because they would be able to get resources easy and have a lot of land.
Religion Highlight
Judaism is a religion and also a way of life. It is enough to create an identity as powerful as any other national, cultural, or ethnic group in the state. Though Judaism is a religion, it is also clearly a way of life that is called upon to be actively involved in the community within which they live.
Significant Individuals
Jewish immigration to Texas was spurred by the economy, political unrest, and frequently by the prospect or reality of religious persecution. Unlike most immigrant groups, Jews came from no particular geographical or political region. Stanley Marcus has a well-deserved reputation as a merchandising genius and Jewish man. He bought a small little shop called Neimans and turned it into the world famous Neiman-Marcus Department Store right here in Dallas. Marcus was born in 1905, after primary schooling he went to Harvard Business School in 1926. Stanley Marcus was the reason for Neiman-Marcus's booming success.
Culture Highlight Trivia
Did you know that there are 139,565 Jews living in Texas, which is 0.6 percent of the whole texas population. Did you know some Jews believe that if men round the corners of you facial hair and regular head it us against Yahweh's will. Did you know that Jew believe that Sabbath is not about rules but about joyful celebration. The Sabbath is the day Jews can relax, be with family, study, and reflect. Did you know that the Jews where Yamakas because they believe that is show the respect that they have for Yahweh.
How has the Jewish culture been effected in Texas?
The first Jews coming to Texas were individuals. Jewish immigration followed typical patterns along trade and transportation routes and, generally, remained urban and involved families. In the largest numbers, Texas’s Jewish population lives in the cities and always has. An urban Jewish community would derive from a collection of families. First a Jewish cemetery usually was established, then benevolent societies, and then a synagogue with a community center. Some individuals only had limited resources such as, the clothes on their backs; but most of them soon became productive citizens from the numerous resources they had here in Texas. Texas Jews have adapted to the changes of modern day life while maintaining some of the oldest cultural customs in the world.
Is Texas better off because of the Immigration?
In my opinion I think Texas is better of because of the immigration because it brings diversity all through out Texas. I don't know about any of the other immigration groups but the Jews came because they were being discriminated against in Central Europe and wanted to go somewhere that they could believe what they wanted to believe and still be with other ethic groups that included each other. They felt Texas was the place to go. If you look at Texas today there is so many different ethic groups because of the immigration period with made Texas one of the most populated states in the United States of America. It is defiantly better off because of immigration.
Bibliography
"Jewish Texans." Narrative Texts. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Feb. 2013. <http://www.utexas.edu/gtc/assets/pdfs/GTC_jewishtexans.pdf>. Plocheck, Robert. "Texas Almanac." Jewish Texans. N.p., 2003. Web. 12 Feb. 2013. <http://www.texasalmanac.com/topics/culture/jewish/jewish-texans>. Rabbi James L. Kessler, "JEWS," Handbook of Texas Online (http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/pxj01), accessed February 07, 2013. Published by the Texas State Historical Association. "The Jewish Texans." The Texians and Texans. UT of San Antonio Institute of Texas Cultures, n.d. Web. 12 Feb. 2013. <http://digital.utsa.edu/utils/getfile/collection/p16018coll6/id/275/filename/276.pdf>.
Getting an A
The Challah is a traditional jewish bread served on sabbath and the pickles are kosher which is the only food jewish can touch or eat.