The Jews

What was Jewish migration to Britain?

Jewish migration to Britain happened when members of the Jewish faith migrated to Britain from eastern Europe, mainly Russia. This is known as 'new Jewish migration', as Jews had lived in Britain before then.

When was the new Jewish migration to Britain?

This new wave of Jewish migration occurred in the 1870s and 1880s.

Where did the Jews that migrated to Britain come from?

The Jews migrated from eastern Europe, mostly from Russia. Many of them travelled to America, but those who could not afford the fare came to Britain.

What was life like before the new Jewish migration to Britain?

Many Jewish people had already migrated to Britain or were born there. They were seen as living very typically British lives. Some notable British Jews during this time were Lionel de Rothschild and Benjamin Disraeli.

Why did Jews migrate to Britain in the 1800s?

In the 1870s and 1880s, Jews migrated from eastern Europe for the following reasons:

• ❖ They had been accused of the assassination of Tsar Alexander II of Russia in 1881.
• ❖ In 1882 a series of strict anti-Jewish laws were enforced in Russia. For example, these laws restricted the number of Jews allowed in schools.
• ❖ Pogroms were frequent, notably an attack in 1903 which left 49 Jews dead and 500 injured in Kishinev, Russia.
• ❖ Britain was seen as a country that tolerated those of different races, so many Jews were persuaded to migrate to England.
• ❖ Many Jews wished to migrate to America, feeling they would be free to practise their religion there. However, passage to America was expensive, so many Jews could only afford to come to Britain.

What was the relationship like between British Jews and the new Jewish migrants?

The relationship between British Jews and the new Jews was complicated. Apart from religion, they shared very few similarities. The new Jews looked different, didn't speak English, and were mostly uneducated.

What jobs did these new Jewish migrants have in Britain?

The Jewish migrants took on a number of different jobs.

• ❖ Initially, they worked mainly in sweatshops for clothing, shoemaking or furniture-making.
• ❖ Some became more successful, like Michael Marks who opened a market stall in 1894. Working with his business partner Tom Spencer, they opened Marks & Spencer. By 1900 they had 36 stores.
• ❖ Another successful migrant was Jack Cohen, who set up the supermarket TESCO.

What was the reaction to the arrival of new Jewish migrants in Britain?

There were different reactions to the arrival of the new Jewish migrants.

• ❖ The British Jews found them strange as they were very different from themselves.
• ❖ As more Jews arrived, they were accused of taking British jobs.
• ❖ Although there was no official persecution, there was still hostility towards the Jews. Jews were only allowed to become MPs in 1858, for example.
• ❖ Jews were seen by many to be involved in criminal activities - the character of Fagin, in Dickens' 'Oliver Twist', was a Jew.
• ❖ However, the government passed the Aliens Act in 1905, which was largely intended to halt Jewish migration to Britain.

What was the significance of the Jewish migrants on Britain?

These are some of the ways in which Jewish migration was significant.

• ❖ The Jews proved that it was possible for a community to fully assimilate to British society, while still keeping a strong religious identity.
• ❖ Large Jewish communities were established in London, Leeds, Glasgow and Manchester. This was an early move towards a multicultural society in Britain.
• ❖ Jewish migration did, however, reveal a lot of anti-Semitism in British society; the Aliens Act of 1905 was the first major attempt to limit immigration to Britain.
• ❖ The Jewish community is now an accepted and extremely successful part of Britain.
• ❖ The Jewish community has continued to be successful in business, including the example of Lord Alan Sugar.
• ❖ There have also been successes in show business, such as Daniel Radcliffe and Matt Lucas.