Manhattan Jewish History

The Peartree, a West Indies Company ship, arrives carrying Jacob Barsimson, the first known Jewish immigrant to New Amsterdam.

New York recieves her first group of Jewish immigrants. These 23 people were fleeing the Spanish and Portugal inquisition which had seen the forced conversion of over 100,000 Jews.

Shearith Israel was established.

A group of Jews feeling Dutch Brazil, on their way back to Holland encountered Pirates. They were thus forced to reroute to New Amsterdam, without passports; after being denied at several Spanish ports. Upon arrival they were unable to pay for their journey and several were imprisoned. Several Jewish stockholders of the East India Company protested, and eventually they were allowed to settle.

Founded in 1845, Temple Emanu-El on 5th Avenue in Manhattan's Upper East Side is the oldest Reform Jewish congregation in New York City, which developed into the largest and most prestigious Reform congregation in the country.

German Jews in New York established Bnai Brith, the first major secular organization.

The Angel Orensanz Center, originally Anshe Chesed Synagogue, was established. It remains the longest standing synagogue in the United States.

An estimated 10,000 Jews serve during the Civil War, with 9 Jewish generals, and 21 Jewish colonels. Judah P. Benjamin, a non-observant Jew, served as Secretary of State and acting Secretary of War of the Confederacy.

The U.S. Army appoints its first chaplain. Jacob Frankel of Philadelphia's Congregation Rodeph Shalom.

The bagel is brought to New York where the recipe was fiercley guarded by Bagel Bakers Local 338.

The Great Wave brought 2.5 Million European Jews to New York, 75% of whom settled in the Lower East Side.

Jewish population of New York City reaches 1.5 Million.

Jewish population of New York City reaches 1.9 Million.