The Jews In New York

Jews have been in New York before America even became a country. New York has always been a symbol of hope and opportunity for Jews for over 350 years. Jews’ cultural, social, economic, and political roles in New York have dramatically affected their lives both positively and negatively. Ever since 1654, Jews have been affected by New York through its cultural, political, economic, and social environments which has ultimately made American Jewry what it is today.

To better understand the Jews of New York, it is important to note and analyze where they originally came from and how they came to be in New York. Spain was home for many Sephardi Jews before they came to New York. Spanish-Jewish society was largely autonomous before the Expulsion.

The Jews were able to fit it with the Dutch because of their common skills and merchant based economy. Even though Jews made up only one and a half percent of the Dutch population, four to six percent of the major stockholders for Dutch West India Company and Bank of Exchange were owned by Jews. Jews especially liked the Netherlands because of their focus on the economy rather than religion. The Netherlands were religiously tolerant which greatly impacted the Jews’ desire to be there. The Netherlands were such a good place for the Jews that German Ashkenazis moved there as well. In the Netherlands, a Jewish government was set up, called the Mahamad, which was led by the most important Jews in the community. The Mahamad set up schools, monitored religious observance, supervised social welfare, negotiated with Christian societies, and could excommunicate Jews. Clearly, he Netherlands became an incredibly important place for the Jews, giving them asylum, and ultimately being one of the major forces that helped bring them to New

Many Jews who were part of the Dutch West India Company moved to Brazil. One third of the Jews in the Netherlands moved to Brazil, making up half of the Dutch colony. These Jews did not have religious or political equality, but they did have autonomy, protection, and financial opportunity because they were seen as reliable allies. In addition, Brazilian Jews were led by their own Mahamed similar to that in the Netherlands. Rabbi Isaac Aboab Da Forcera, was their Mahamad, and was the first Rabbi in the New World. The Brazilian Jews even had their own synagogue named Tzur Yisrael, in Recife. Despite the success the Dutch had in Brazil, the Portuguese conquered the land in 1654, renewing the need for a new Jewish community