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Why did immigrants move from Brighton Beach to Bensonhurst?

Brighton Beach was an early destination due to its location near the water. But, as more immigrants arrived, Brighton Beach ran low on affordable housing. In response, many…

Schools

Although many Jewish children attended public schools, there were a few Hebrew schools created for the community.   One such school is Ohel Moshe, a boys’ yeshiva that Abie…

Statistics of New York City Settlement.

New York City was the destination for many immigrants coming to the United States. From 1972 to 1979, the annual average of Soviet Union immigrants coming to New…

Is life better in New York City than in the Soviet Union?

Life is not always better for immigrants in the United States. Some move back to Russia, and some spiral into depression and drug abuse. When immigrating, many leave…

How difficult was it for new immigrants to assimilate?

Russian youth are a driving force for American assimilation. They mature and adapt to their new homes quickly. They grow up in an American landscape. Oftentimes, language is…

How have businesses in Bensonhurst changed?

Contrary to what the numbers may indicate, Bensonhurst was not always welcoming to its Russian immigrants. Many Bensonhurst-born residents complained, “When my parents came over, they worked, and…

What caused an increase in Soviet Union immigration?

After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, immigration from its former states increased dramatically. The process differed slightly, as immigrants like Mrs. Agayeva would come through…

What was the process like to leave the Soviet Union?

Although the door was open for Jewish immigration, it was an incredibly difficult and lengthy process. There were many legal and social restraints in place. Family reunion was…

How has the makeup of Bensonhurst changed?

At first there was a trickle of Soviet immigrants to Bensonhurst: 377 from 1983 to 1989. That number shot up to 17,950 immigrants between 1990 and 1994. During…