The complaint that the history of the “peopling of the United States has been too long neglected,” was voiced here last night at the opening session of the two-day annual meeting of the American Jewish Historical Society. In his opening address, Lee M. Friedman, president of the Society, pointed out that the customs, ideas and ideals of immigrants have been” a vital contribution to an enriched American civilization.”
American views of the Jews at the opening of the 20th century were analyzed at the meeting by Oscar Handlin, Professor of History at Harvard University. “The ten years after 1890,” Professor Handlin said, “were not only free of anti-Semitism but were actually marked by a distinct philo-Semitism.” He ascribed the transformation in attitude to “drastic world changes and pressures affecting Americans.” Later, in the “portentious years 1913 to 1920,” Professor Handlin observed, “anti-Semitism became a considerable factor in this country.”
JTA has documented Jewish history in real-time for over a century. Keep our journalism strong by joining us in supporting independent, award-winning reporting.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
