46 pages • 1 hour read
Anzia YezierskaBread Givers
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1925A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Background
Cultural Context: 20th-Century Jewish Religious and Cultural Beliefs
In the 20th century, Jewish immigrants fought to keep their culture and religion alive in their communities within America. Jewish scholars and teachers, or rabbis, continued to study their holy books. A major area of study revolved around the study of the Torah, which includes the first five books of the Hebrew Bible, or the Old Testament. The study of the Torah and other holy books reminded the Jewish communities of their cultural traditions and practices. Jewish law requires a strict observation of the Sabbath, dietary restrictions, and observations of Jewish holidays. As Jewish immigrants integrated into American culture in the 20th century, many members of the Jewish community feared that they would lose their religion due to the Americanization movement. The Americanization movement encouraged the spread of American culture and philosophies to unify the different traditions and religions that continued to come into America.
Younger Jewish immigrants pushed back against the religion’s patriarchal belief system. In the 20th century, Judaism, like other religions, relied heavily on the idea of a patriarchal system, which dehumanized and discriminated against Jewish women. However, as young Jewish women integrated into American society, they realized the oppression of this belief system and either left the religion or looked to find a way to democratize Judaism. Although the Jewish feminist movement did not arise until the late 20th century, American feminism influenced Jewish communities as Jewish women became empowered to fight for their rights within their communities.
Socio-Historical Context: Jewish Immigration in the 20th Century
At the start of the 20th century, many Jewish immigrants came to the United States because of political unrest in Eastern Europe. Tsar Nicholas II ruled Russia, Poland, and Finland until 1917, and he led and allowed many pogroms against the Jewish people. Pogroms are riots that incite violence with the purpose of ethnic cleansing, particularly against Jewish communities. This persecution caused thousands of Jews to flee areas under Russian control, seeking refuge in other European countries or the United States. Christian and Jewish communities in the United States sent funds to Jews still trapped in Europe and signed petitions to combat growing antisemitism. Most of the Jewish immigrants who came to America fleeing persecution settled in New York, where they became a large part of the labor force.
Many Jewish Americans prioritized the Americanization of Jewish immigrants. The founding of the National Council of Jewish Women was a significant part of the Americanization movement. This organization focused on the education and support of Jewish women while preserving Jewish cultural identity. Although Jewish Americans did not want immigrants to completely give up their culture and traditions, many Jewish immigrants took Americanization as an attack against their cultural identity. However, as younger Jewish immigrants joined the workforce and assimilated into American culture, they began to blend American culture with Jewish identity. The Americanization movement encouraged Jewish Americans to explore American culture while keeping the foundation of their Jewish religion.
