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The Expansion Of The Jewish Population

Decent Essays

Before World War II there had been Jews living in Eastern Europe since before the Medieval Ages. It seems as if the Jewish population had grown accustom to their ever changing role in society, based off of who was in power and in what area they lived. There had always been persecution towards Jews based off of their religious practices, which seemed foreign to their neighbors all across Eastern Europe. Despite the consistent religious persecution Jews found ways to assimilate into their new surroundings while keeping their faith alive. For a long time Jews believed that as long as they could continue praying, follow the Torah, keep Kosher, and participate in charity everything would be all right.

Once modernization began in Eastern Europe there were numerous changes for the Jewish population. During Enlightenment new ideas came into practice which allowed for new economic opportunities, jobs, and housing. Previously, most Jews lived in shtetls, small rural village communities, but now they were starting to move toward the cities. Modernization also allowed for the creation of modern Jewish institutions and the secularization of their faith. These changes ended special protections and lead a charge towards the emancipation of Jews across Eastern Europe. New economic opportunities allow millions to emigrate, and 1.5 million take advantage of that opportunity and move to the United States.

Through industrialization many Jews move into the cities in order to partake in the

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