Few American stories have been as dramatic as the tale of the Jews and their journey to America. Some were here during the time of the Revolutionary War. Others came in around the decades before and after the Civil War. Then there was the great migration of the late 1900s and early 20th century when many Jews were fleeing persecution in Russia and Poland. A few Jews managed to emigrate to America as Hitler rose to power, but many more were prevented from coming because of tight immigration laws that barred their entry. More Jews came as refugees after the war and when the Soviet Union collapses, and with it restrictions on immigrations, many Jews from Russia settled either in the Land of Israel and America.
There have been different views of America seen through the lens of the potential immigrants. Many of those in Poland who wanted to come in the early 20th century said America was the “golden medina” the golden land. Others referred to America as the “triefe medina” or the non-kosher land, since many new immigrants shed their names, language and tradition.
When the Previous Lubavitcher Rebbe, Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn, arrived to America after unspeakable persecution in Russia, he declared “America is no different.” Meaning it is possible to live as a traditional Jew in America.
One aspect of America that makes many Jews feel grateful is the separation of church and State, which has limited the degree of persecution Jews have faced in other countries. As long as there is no one official religion, the government can’t interfere with religious observance, a state of affairs that has enabled Jews to flourish in America.
Jews have flourished in America, but that doesn’t mean that there is no anti-Semitism or other challenges to face. While there is no perfection while we are still in exile, without the ideal Jewish ruler in the Land of Israel, America is a good place to live as a Jew, at least compared to many countries in Europe. I am living in the Land of Israel, but have connection with family and friends in America and I wish you all a joyous holiday celebration, wherever and however you are commemorating it.