They Came for Good
 | This article includes a list of references, related reading, or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations. (April 2021) |
| They Came for Good | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Amram Nowak |
| Written by | Manya Starr |
Release date |
|
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
They Came for Good: A History of the Jew in the US is a 1997 documentary by Oscar nominated director Amram Nowak that explores the challenges and contributions of Jews during America's founding history. The film discusses a series of personalities, including Asher Levy, Louis Moses Gomez, Rebecca Gratz, Uriah Phillips Levy, Levi Strauss, Isaac Leeser, Isaac Mayer Wise, Judah Benjamin, the Warburgs, the Schiffs, and Emma Lazarus.
Summary
[edit]They Came for Good is a two-part documentary series of critical acclaim.
Part I focuses on the contributions of Sephardic Jews in early America and their hard-fought struggle for equality that eventually brought them presidential respect. Unlike any national leader before his time President George Washington, made history by embracing the Jewish community upon his election and asserting their equality. The pioneering Jews of early America came to the New World to practice their religion openly, and once they arrived they began to shape the budding nation.
Part II examines the people and personalities who shaped the critical time of the mid-18th century, from the creators of the Orthodox and Reform movements to the Ashkenazi entrepreneurs who crossed the Atlantic Ocean and Midwestern prairie to create new American identities.
In 1820, most took a subdued approach to demonstrating their Jewishness. They were a shadow of a population, numbering less than 3,000 nationwide — a minority in a nation of minorities. In the years that followed, however, a massive influx of immigrant Ashkenazi Jewry from Europe arrived to cause a spiritual and economic sea change. The film covers American Jew's entrepreneurial spirit from the mostly-Jewish peddlers selling goods on the back roads of the South to those who run the general stores that will one day grow into nationwide chains like Macy’s, Sears, Gimbels, Stern's and Filene's, Jews were major purveyors of commercial good in this country and, thus, major contributors to popular culture.
Filmmaker
[edit]Director Amram Nowak was nominated for an Oscar for his film Isaac in America. He has also worked as a writer and producer.
See also
[edit]Other documentaries about American-Jewish history:
References
[edit]External links
[edit]- 1997 films
- Documentary films about Jews and Judaism in the United States
- American documentary films
- Documentary films about United States history
- Jewish-American history
- Documentary films about immigration to the United States
- 1990s English-language films
- 1990s American films
- English-language documentary films