The Jewish Americans History Movie Review Essay Paper
In the second week, the class will watch The Jewish Americans, a PBS special on American Jewish history. In Week 4, students will submit a 3 – 4 page (12-point font, double-spaced, normal margins) analysis of the film in which they provide a critical assessment of The Jewish Americans, paying particular attention to the divergences between American Jewish memory and American Jewish history, and why these differences matter. Students should use the course readings from Walkowitz and Diner to help shape their analysis in the Film Review. Further instruction will be given in class for what is expected for this assignment. If a student is unable to attend class the day of film screening, the student is responsible for watching The Jewish Americans and her or his own time.
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The United States has for many centuries been viewed as a land of immense opportunities. The region has an abundance of resources and services that are characterized by employment opportunities and quality educational and health care facilities. Similarly, the country’s liberal laws and provisions in the constitution that accords citizens with different rights and freedoms also make it very attractive to outsiders. As such, America is a popular destination for many people especially from developing and under-developed regions who migrate into the country in search of the American dream. There are also individuals who relocate to America from far and wide regions to escape persecutions and live freely regardless of their race or religion. One notable group of people that migrated into America and managed to establish themselves albeit with some challenges is the Jews. Majority of the Jews escaped from Europe where they were treated inhumanely and even forced to convert. Despite discrimination and victimization from white Native Americans, Jews were better off living in America and a significant number succeeded to become responsible members of society. The Jewish Americans is a phenomenal documentary that details the American Jewish history. The essay seeks to review the documentary Jewish Americans and highlight on the divergences between American Jewish memory and American Jewish History.
Jews faced massive challenges characterized by rampant discrimination and brutality in many European and South American countries. They were considered outsiders and were suspected to be up to no good in society. To escape the atrocities in their countries of origin, it is believed that 23 Jews sailed and entered America through Manhattan, then an outpost of the Dutch empire in 1654. The group mostly comprised of individuals who had fled Brazil because the Portuguese had demanded that they convert or die. Since then, more Jews have migrated into America but they have struggled to live and be accepted as Jewish Americans. Jews were predominantly shunned in society because they held onto their Jewish heritage, customs and religious beliefs very strongly. While they made efforts to be part of the American culture, most of the Jews remained adamant on letting go of their beliefs. It is in this regard that Native White Americans highly considered Jews a puzzle. According to the locals, although Jews looked like people, they were very divergent. Jews hold unique names and read the Old Testament in Hebrew as opposed to English. They also celebrated Sabbath on Saturdays and not Sundays. Jews dietary needs were also strange. For instance, they prohibit the consumption of bacon and mixing milk with meat.[PBS. "YouTube." YouTube, 2015, /watch?v=XuyN7hoVZmU.] [Walkowitz, Daniel J. The Remembered And Forgotten Jewish World. 2nd ed., Macmillan Publishers, pp. 110.]
Additionally, many Americans had misinformed perceptions and stereotypes about Jews from their readings of the Bible. As such, they associated Jews with illegal dealings and considered them to be untrustworthy. As a result of these stereotypes, Jews were treated with utmost suspicion and in some cases forced t...
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