Even with all challenges that Jewish immigrants faced as they made new lives on the Lower East Side, America did offer something precious: religious freedom. Back in Eastern Europe, Jews faced pogroms – violent riots – because of their backgrounds, and synagogues – Jewish houses of workship – were often burned down. This photo, of a Jewish man and a boy shows just how different it was to practice one’s religion in America. The man is draped in a fringed prayer shawl called a tallit, and the boy is holding a Jewish prayer book. And they are out on the street, praying in public without fear.
Credit Library of Congress
More to Think About…
- Why do you think religious freedom was important to new immigrants?
- What would inspire you to move to another country?