The Jewish Metropolis

The Jewish Metropolis: New York from the 17th to the 21st Century covers the entire sweep of the history of the largest Jewish community of all time. With each chapter written by an expert in the field, the book provides an introduction to the New York Jewish experience.

Daniel Soyer is professor of History at Fordham University. He is author, with Annie Polland, of The Emerging Metropolis: New York Jews in the Age of Migration, 1840-1920, and coeditor of the journal American Jewish History.

Daniel Soyer is professor of History at Fordham University. He is author, with Annie Polland, of The Emerging Metropolis: New York Jews in the Age of Migration, 1840-1920, and coeditor of the journal American Jewish History.

“This is an excellent collection of essays by an all-star cast of scholars and edited by Soyer… [A]s a short, smart introduction to the history of Jews of New York City, this volume is unsurpassed… Recommended.”

– J. D. Sarna, Brandeis University, CHOICE

“The authors in The Jewish Metropolis have a miraculous gift of fresh eyes, reframing the encounter of Jews and New York for all to see the critical role this encounter played in shaping both the City of New York and the trajectory of Jewish history. Starting in the colonial era but focusing mostly on the last century and a half, this collection highlights how Jews from a multitude of backgrounds and places have molded this city and allowed it—with all its diversity, energy and conflict—to shape them to their core as well. Delving into such varied topics as New York City’s linguistic landscape, racial politics, economy, foreign language press, and complex associational life, this remarkable volume underscores how one specific ethno-religious group—the Jews—shaped the development of the most important city in North America, making it into a unique ‘Jewish metropolis’ in their eyes.”

—Rebecca A. Kobrin, Russell and Bettina Knapp Associate Professor of American Jewish History, Columbia University

“The Jewish Metropolis gives readers a fascinating whirlwind tour of Jewish New York from the 1620s to the 2020s. Every essay is enlightening, erudite, and thoroughly enjoyable.”

—Tyler Anbinder, author of City of Dreams: The 400-Year Epic History of Immigrant New York

“An intellectual feast! The authors of The Jewish Metropolis attempt the impossible task of telling the story of New York City’s Jews in a single, modest-sized volume, and succeed brilliantly. The volume is no mere recitation of names and events, but a series of informative and provocative essays on a wide variety of topics; on Yiddish and Ladino; how the city’s Jews prayed and how they voted; where they lived and who built their houses, and many other subjects. Expert or greenhorn, anyone interested in the story of the centuries-long symbiosis between the city and its Jewish population will come away both challenged and enlightened.”

—Peter Eisenstadt, Editor-in-Chief, The Encyclopedia of New York State

“In The Jewish Metropolis, a strong cast of historians explores the rich, complex, and contradictory history of New York City and its Jews. Their research is deep, their writing is clear, and their analyses are subtle. Scholars and general readers alike will learn from this valuable volume.”

—Robert W. Snyder, Manhattan Borough Historian and Professor emeritus, Rutgers University