Celebrate Jewish American Heritage Month by digging into this list of history books, memoirs, and novels. From the colonial era to the present, American Jews have made their mark on every aspect of society, from science and medicine to business and the arts. And let’s not forget the Yiddish terms that have become part of our everyday vernacular, like “klutz,” “schmear,” and my personal favorite, “oy vey.” Equally important, they’ve given us bagels, the Jewish deli, Seinfeld, and the Chanukah Song.
While Adam Sandler listed many Jewish Americans in his holiday hit, there are so many more historic figures who didn’t make it into the song. There’s the Notorious RBG, who served as a Supreme Court Justice. We also can’t forget songwriter Irving Berlin, who wrote hit after hit, including “God Bless America.” And then there’s Larry David, the cringe king who brought the Jewish experience to our TV screens. So, in honor of their contributions, here’s a list of the best books about Jewish American history.
Jewish American History
The year was 1654, when North America was a hodgepodge of European colonies. 23 Sephardic Jews came to the shores of New Amsterdam, a Dutch colony that was to become New York City. Their settlement began the Jewish experience in America, before the United States was even a thought.
Fast-forward to the turn of the 20th century, when massive waves of Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe came to the United States, escaping persecution and seeking economic opportunity. These Yiddish-speaking immigrants settled in major cities and joined the working class. New York City’s Lower East Side became a particularly strong haven. When they arrived, however, they faced discrimination from Americans. As with many immigrant groups, Jews quickly found themselves navigating the complexities of race, ethnicity, and identity in their new home.
And yet, they prevailed. They participated in American wars as G.I. Jews, established businesses, served as Supreme Court justices, and became notorious gangsters in organized crime. They even influenced American food. I know, I know, I hear comedian Sebastian Maniscalco in my head, yelling to let the Italians cater Passover. But still, there’s no denying the power of the Jewish deli, bagels, lox, pastrami on rye, and matzo ball soup. I draw the line at gefilte fish, though.
The following selections detail this rich history, including the good, the bad, and the ugly.
Memoirs and Non-fiction
While history books give you the scholarly view, memoirs provide the real-life experience of Jewish Americans. Hear from Ruth Bader Ginsburg in her own words. Read what it means to be Jewish in the United States from someone who lived it. Get an inside peek at what it was like to be a Jewish gangster’s daughter. And finally, play around in the kitchen by recreating recipes your tante (aunt) used to make.
Jewish American Fiction
The following selections are works of fiction that tell the Jewish American story. They cover the hardships of immigration, forming identity, and navigating life in America. Many of these novels take place in New York, particularly the Lower East Side, since the city was such a Jewish haven.
For more reading lists on the ethnic and racial groups that make up the United States’ “melting pot,” see the following posts:
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