Jews in Wisconsin

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Sheila Terman Cohen

Learn about the many contributions of Jewish people in Wisconsin, their immigration journeys, and the strength and resilience of their communities.

128 pages, 6 x 9, 35 b&w photos
Paperback: $12.95 | ISBN: 978-0-87020-744-0
Ebook price: $9.99 | ISBN: 978-0-87020-745-7
Publication Date: 4/25/2016

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Description

Unlike many of the other cultural or immigrant groups that came to Wisconsin to build new lives and communities, the Jewish people who have made their home here are united not by a single country of origin but by a shared history, culture, and set of religious beliefs. This diverse group found its way to America’s heartland from Germany, Russia, Poland, and beyond, some fleeing violence and persecution, others searching for new opportunities, but all making important contributions to the fabric of Wisconsin history. Through detailed historical information and personal accounts, Sheila Terman Cohen brings to life the stories of the various trials and triumphs of the Jewish people in the Badger State.

Jews in Wisconsin details the battles against antisemitism, the efforts to participate in their new communities, and their successes at retaining Jewish cultural identities. In addition to excerpts of Cohen’s many interviews with Wisconsin Jews, the book also features the compelling journals of a German immigrant tradesman who established himself in Milwaukee and of a Russian immigrant who details the perilous journey his family embarked on to escape antisemitism in his home country and make a new life in Wisconsin.

Part of the People of Wisconsin series, this book illuminates the many ways that immigrants have shaped our state. Learn about the values and ideas the Jewish people brought with them from the "old country" and explore their myriad contributions to the culture, economy, and politics of their new home.

Author Bio

Sheila Terman Cohen

Sheila Terman Cohen is a freelance writer and former journalist. She is the author of several books for young readers, including Mai Ya's Long Journey, Gaylord Nelson: Champion for Our Earth, and Sterling North and the Story of Rascal, all published by the Wisconsin Historical Society Press. She lives in Madison, Wisconsin.