Encyclopaedia Judaica
Jews in Youngstown
Industrial city as an example of average Jewish immigration
waves and activities
from: Encyclopaedia Judaica (1971): Youngstown; vol. 16
presented by Michael Palomino (2009)
<Youngstown, iron and steel producing center in N.E. Ohio; general
population 170,000 (1970), Jewish population estimated 6,500.
[[Immigration waves in 19th and
20th century]]
An early historical account indicates that some Jews settled in
Youngstown in 1826, but the first name of a Jewish settler on record is
that of Jacob Spiegel in 1837. The first Jewish immigrants came from
Alsace, Bavaria, and central Germany;
a second wave was from Hungary and Rumania [[Romania]];
while early in the 20th century there was yet another heavy influx from
Poland and Russia.
After World War II several hundred refugee families from Europe were
absorbed by the local Jewish community.
[[Professions]]
The earliest Jewish settlers in Youngstown were mostly merchants,
though some were also involved in the founding of local steel industry.
In the course of the 20th century, however, Jews tended to move upward
from small retail businesses whereas there were once over 100 Jewish
grocers in Youngstown, in 1970 there were only a few - into the
professions and such fields as steel, aluminium, and plastics
fabricating plants, wholesale distributorships, and insurance agencies.
In 1970 most heads of families were owners of, or employees in,
business and industry. In recent decades the percentage of Jewish
professionals declined slightly, as young people graduating college
tended to settle elsewhere, in larger urban areas.
[[Congregations]]
The oldest existing congregation in Youngstown in 1970 was Rodef Sholom
(Reform), founded in 1867. Four other congregations existed as well:
Children of Israel (traditional Orthodox), founded in 1892; Temple
Emanu-El (modern Orthodox), founded by Russian and Polish immigrants in
1906; Temple Anshe Emeth (Conservative), founded in 1924.
Several congregations organized early in the 20th century disappeared
when their congregants moved from the neighborhoods in which they were
established.
[[Situation in 1970]]
Most of the Jewish population of Youngstown in 1970 resided in the
northern and southern suburbs of the city. The community was organized
around the Jewish Federation, created in 1935, and the Jewish Community
Center, built in 1953. Federation agencies included the Jewish
Community Center, a Family and Children's Service, a Community
Relations Council, and Heritage Manor, a home for the aged. The 1960s
witnessed growing coordination between the congregations and the Jewish
Community Center in cultural and youth activities. The community was
served by a local paper, The
Youngstown Jewish Times.
Jews held a wide variety of cultural, civic, and philanthropic
positions in Youngstown life, yet for the most part they continued to
be excluded from active participation in the local "power structure".
No Jews held (1970) executive posts with any of the big national steel
companies operating in Youngstown, few ran for public office, and fewer
still were elected.
Bibliography
-- Youngstown Jewish Times (1935- )
-- Jewish Federation of Youngstown, Ohio: Annual Report
(1937 )
-- J.G. Butler: History of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley, Ohio
(1921), passim.
[HA.AL.]> (col. 861)
Sources
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Encyclopaedia Judaica (1971): Youngstown, vol.16, col. 861
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