The California Gold Rush, Jewish Immigration, and the Birth of San Francisco

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Curriculum
Video

Discover how Jewish immigrants like Levi Strauss found unique opportunities in San Francisco, a rapidly growing city where they faced fewer restrictions and less anti-Semitism than in Europe or the eastern U.S. Explore Jewish life in California, focusing on the establishment of synagogues and the community's integration into civic life, while examining how Jewish immigrants contributed to the city’s growth and preserved their cultural and religious identity amid shifting social dynamics. 

Using Levi Strauss’s immigrant journey and the invention of the blue jean as a lens, explore the complex forces shaping 19th-century America, including industrialization, immigration, and the displacement of Native peoples. Through primary sources, videos, historical photographs, and archival materials, engage in discussions about perseverance, innovation, and the diverse communities that helped shape the American West. 

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Topic
  • Antisemitism
  • Arts and Culture
  • Jewish Peoplehood
Setting
  • Congregational Learning
  • Day Schools and Yeshivas

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