THE JEWISH JOURNEY: AMERICA (2015)

This PBS documentary traces Jewish immigration to the United States. Using a series of stunning black and white authentic photos along with interviews of Jewish writers, scholars, and immigrants from diverse countries, Andrew Goldberg presents a clear story in captivating images and deeply personal narratives that cover various aspects of the Jewish journey to America for five hundred years. Being a second generation descendant of Jewish families from Eastern European cities and shtetls, and studying the history of the Jews on my own, I knew some of the information presented already. This film however, flushed out a more expansive view of Jewish immigrants from a wide array of homelands than I have gotten from reading. The film presents history of what daily life was like before they came; the reasons for choosing America during certain years; challenges of the physical journey; and what they faced, (for better and worse),in America before and after aid was set up to help assimilate new Jewish immigrants. I found the personal accounts fascinating and moving. The film is only 55 minutes; if this subject interests you, I recommend it. It was hard to watch in light of the plight of current immigrants who are fleeing bad situations in their home countries for America.