A Time for Gathering: The Second Migration, 1820-1880

A Time for Gathering examines the second major wave of Jewish immigration to America, covering the critical period from 1820 to 1880. This historical study tracks the movement of Jews from Central Europe to the United States and documents their establishment of communities across the expanding nation. The book analyzes the economic, social, and religious factors that drove migration during this era, including conditions in European countries and opportunities in America. Diner presents detailed accounts of how Jewish immigrants maintained their traditions while adapting to their new homeland through business ventures, community organizations, and religious institutions. The work uses letters, diaries, synagogue records, and other primary sources to reconstruct the experiences of both individuals and larger Jewish communities during this transformative period. Through these materials, readers gain insight into family life, religious practices, and the challenges of maintaining cultural identity in a new land. This volume stands as an essential text in American Jewish historiography, illuminating the complex interplay between preservation and adaptation that characterized this pivotal migration. The themes of cultural identity, religious continuity, and economic mobility remain relevant to contemporary discussions of immigration and ethnic community formation.

Readers report this academic text provides thorough research on Jewish immigration during this period, but some find the writing dense and dry. Likes: - Detailed coverage of early American Jewish communities - Strong statistical data and documentation - Clear organization by time periods and regions - Useful for academic research and reference Dislikes: - Academic prose can be difficult to read - Heavy focus on statistics over personal stories - Limited discussion of cultural/religious aspects - Some sections feel repetitive Review Statistics: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (12 ratings) No reviews found on Amazon From Goodreads reviews: "Well-researched but reads like a dissertation" - M. Cohen "Good resource for Jewish genealogy research" - S. Goldstein "Would have benefited from more first-hand accounts" - R. Stern The book appears primarily used in academic settings rather than for general reading, with most reviews coming from students and researchers rather than casual readers.

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🔹 The book is part of a five-volume series called "The Jewish People in America," which chronicles the complete history of Jews in America from 1654 to the present day. 🔹 Author Hasia Diner is a professor at New York University and has written extensively about immigration history, with particular focus on Jewish, Irish, and Italian immigrant experiences in America. 🔹 The period covered in this volume (1820-1880) saw the Jewish population in America grow from approximately 3,000 to 250,000 through immigration. 🔹 Many Jewish immigrants during this period came from German-speaking regions of Central Europe, establishing important commercial networks and founding Reform Judaism in America. 🔹 The book explores how this wave of Jewish immigration coincided with America's westward expansion, with Jewish merchants and traders playing significant roles in frontier communities.