Museum Reflection

Haven to Home

The purpose of this exhibit was showing the life of Jews and how they came to America to start a new life. They came here to escape the discrimination and poverty they faced in Europe. Most of them settled in New York's lower East Side and Boston's North End. Over time they all spread out because of different jobs and what lifestyle they wanted to have. Some went to the country while others stayed in the city. In the 1820's the Synagogues is America started adpating. This was because new people were coming over from europe, a younger generation was changing the old ways.

As they came over to America, the problems in Europe got worse. Adolf Hitler had begun the Holocaust, and the Jews in America wanted to help the Jews that were being slaughtered in Europe. In 1924 America had set an immigration limit, and during the time of the Holocaust only around 100,000 Jews escaped Europe to come to America. I thought this was really sad but I know that America couldn't house every Jew in the world.

I learned some interesting things from the exhibit and from all the pictures. I learned that when the Jews first came Congress didn't want them to participate in law. To stop this they made it so that they had to swear on the Bible, so Jews couldn't participate because they worship the Torah. Eventually the Jewish people were accepted. They were encouraged to learn English, apply for citizenships, and participate in elections.

Some Jews didn't let go of their pasts and they continued to celebrate all the holidays. They often lived in communities and celebrating brought them all together. They celebrated their new life in America. I saw a picture of a Menorah that had the Staue of Liberty for each of the candle holders. I thought this showed how much the Jews appreciated America and the life they had. Women became more active and the Jewish women participated alot in the civil rights movement.

Even though Jews had settled in America some people were still against them. Henry Ford was thought to be a part of the KKK. There was a picture of him on one of the walls with a KKK member's arm around Ford's shoulder. People were still against Jews, but I think more people didn't have a problem with them than people who were against.



Children of Immigrants

The photo I picked is titled "The Furio's Family Restauraunt." The picture shows four people standing in front of a restauraunt. There is an older couple with their arms around eachother. On either side there are two men half turned to the couple. The woman is wearing a dress and the man standing with her is wearing a plain shirt. Both men on either side are wearing white undershirts and denim pants or shorts. Behind them is a sign that says "Furio's Family Restauraunt, PIZZA." Then it has a number to call. The photograph is dated 1998.

I chose it because my favorite food is pizza, and all the Italian immigrants that immigrated to America have effected my life. They brought part of their culture here to share and I'm happy they did. I like how it has the family together because it shows that they are all trying to have a better life and they are all working together.

My quote that I chose is this: "The greatest thing I hoped for in my life is to become a succesful person and to have a family and friends to support me, not to be looked at by the color of my skin but also who I am inside." -Samira Durakovic, Yugoslavia. I chose it because alot of people say they don't want to be judged by the color of their skin, but Durakovic also says what she wants to happen instead. She says that she wants friends and family to support her and for people to see whats underneath her skin. This seems to be what alot of non-white people have to say and I think that if they're all saying it then it must be important.