THE JEWISH JOURNEY: AMERICA (2015)
This PBS documentary traces Jewish immigration to the United States. Using a series of stunning black and white authentic photos along with interviews of Jewish writers, scholars, and immigrants from diverse countries, Andrew Goldberg presents a clear story in captivating images and deeply personal narratives that cover various aspects of the Jewish journey to America for five hundred years. Being a second generation descendant of Jewish families from Eastern European cities and shtetls, and studying the history of the Jews on my own, I knew some of the information presented already. This film however, flushed out a more expansive view of Jewish immigrants from a wide array of homelands than I have gotten from reading. The film presents history of what daily life was like before they came; the reasons for choosing America during certain years; challenges of the physical journey; and what they faced, (for better and worse), in America before and after aid was set up to help assimilate new Jewish immigrants. I found the personal accounts fascinating and moving. The film is only 55 minutes; if this subject interests you, I recommend it. It was hard to watch in light of the plight of current immigrants who are fleeing bad situations in their home countries for America.
This PBS documentary traces Jewish immigration to the United States. Using a series of stunning black and white authentic photos along with interviews of Jewish writers, scholars, and immigrants from diverse countries, Andrew Goldberg presents a clear story in captivating images and deeply personal narratives that cover various aspects of the Jewish journey to America for five hundred years. Being a second generation descendant of Jewish families from Eastern European cities and shtetls, and studying the history of the Jews on my own, I knew some of the information presented already. This film however, flushed out a more expansive view of Jewish immigrants from a wide array of homelands than I have gotten from reading. The film presents history of what daily life was like before they came; the reasons for choosing America during certain years; challenges of the physical journey; and what they faced, (for better and worse), in America before and after aid was set up to help assimilate new Jewish immigrants. I found the personal accounts fascinating and moving. The film is only 55 minutes; if this subject interests you, I recommend it. It was hard to watch in light of the plight of current immigrants who are fleeing bad situations in their home countries for America.
