New York City has been an economic hub for all kinds of Jews starting with the Sephardic Jews of Spanish and Portuguese origins to the Ashkenazi Jews of western and central Europe since its early Dutch era. The most influential and largest influx of 1.4 million Jewish people to New York were from Russia, Galicia, Hungary and Romania in the years 1881 to 1914. Some of these early immigrants were not prepared for the demanding urban life and labor of New York City, so they resided in small towns. America was only seen as a place of businesses and to make money with no room for spiritual values. Most immigrant Jews worked in the clothing and food industries and as building and furnishing and machine and metal workers. Almost seventy percent of Jewish immigrants were women or children, while other nationalities had percentages of about fifty. The Lower East Side, unlike many other ghettos, was not overrun by any one particular ethnic group and became the most congested region in the five boroughs due to the increasing Jewish population. New construction of bridges and subways led to an increase in Jewish population in places outside of Manhattan like Brooklyn and Queens.
Crimes such as arson, gambling, fencing stolen goods, picking pockets, and prostitution were common to the Lower East Side. German-Jewish leaders created the New York City Kehilla, which was led by Rabbi Judah Magnes, to maintain order and create a sense of community amidst the illegal activity on the streets. This organization with its many bureaus sought to many issues including improving Jewish education, overseeing Kosher foods preparation, and worker-employee relations. With the starting of World War I, these issues became less important and the group disbanded in 1925, unsuccessful in uniting the Jewish community.
Most eastern European Jews belonged to landsmanshafts, nationality-based organizations that aided in social services like life insurance, sickness and death benefits, and finding a job or housing and creating a sense of cultural community. One of the most significant benevolent-society organizations was the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society, which began with the issue of providing burial facilities for those who died on Ellis Island.
Eastern European Jews were prepared for an urban center like New York City and took advantage of the economic opportunities it had to offer. Prior to the 1900s, these Jews dominated the clothing industry working as tailors or launderers. Tenement sweatshop numbers declined due to stricter laws and regulations like the 1892 Tenement House Act and an increase in mechanization of production. Generally, they worked sixty hours a week at ten dollars a week if one were lucky in almost unbearable working conditions. Women were paid a little more than half that amount, but part of their wages went to purchasing needles, thread, and even their own sewing machines. In the very early 1900s many Jews found themselves as pushcart operators, grocers, butchers, bakers, butter and egg shop owners, and candy store owners. Religious and cultural demands of such a large Jewish population spurred the ghetto economy by opening new factories and stores to accommodate their needs.
Unlike their Irish counterparts, eastern European Jews did not actively go to the polls to enact change, but when they did, they voted for the progressive Republican Party. In 1906 Morris Hillquit, an immigrant Bundist from Riga, ran for a seat in Congress on the Socialist ticket five times to no avail. His campaign was like those of other socialist union leaders, fighting for brotherhood, material improvement, and against corruption and inequality, but it could not overcome Tammany’s bribed votes. Finally in 1914, Meyer London, a Ukrainian immigrant socialist, was elected Congressman and gained support from the Orthodox community and the Zionists, who were normally against the Socialist Party.
Most immigrant Jewish did not remain truly orthodox, but retained forms of the religious culture and practices such as joining a synagogue, attending High Holy Days services, observing Passover, and following their diet. This change brought a divide between immigrant parents and American-born or raised children. Religious training for Jews was not emphasized in America as it was in other countries. Secular education was seen as the one option for achieving economic success and social status and the Jewish population teemed with enthusiasm to learn.
Socially, dancing and going to the cinema and theater were among the most popular activities to do for eastern European Jews of the Lower East Side.
