Hardships of the New World

From The Peopling of NYC

Living Conditions

Jews settled in densely populated buildings with unsafe conditions. They crammed tenements that had no hot running water or ventilation. It was common that 2 parents, 6 kids, and 5 other borders lived together in only a couple of rooms. Many times, the small apartments had no windows or fire escapes. Before the building construction reforms came into effect in 1903-08 (which were not always followed), Jewish immigrants suffered 38% fire fatalities in Manhattan. It was a harsh life, but better than Old World “where many had lived in rundown hovels, fearful of drunken peasants, increasing economic dislocation, oppressive czarist decrees, and government sponsored pogroms”. (WHERE DOES THIS QUOTE COME FROM?)

Many of these harsh living conditions were exposed by one man: Jacob Riis. In December, 1889, Riis' account of city life, illustrated by his own photographs, was published in Scribner's Magazine. This created a great deal of interest and the following year, a full-length version, How the Other Half Lives, was published. Despite what many critics label as a deprecating attitude towards women and people of certain ethnic and racial groups, Riis photographs and stories revealed many of the difficult conditions faced not only by Jewish immigrants but most immigrants in New York.

For a look at some of Riis' work click here

Heartache

Aside from the expected harsh living conditions, Jewish newcomers experienced tremendous emotional distress: neurosis, mental breakdown, and juvenile/adult criminality. Many fathers deserted their children and wives due to the instability and loss of hope for a brighter future. In East Baltimore, the Big Brothers League arose for the youth who were in this horrible situation. For a few years, Jews had one of the highest divorce rates in NYC. Crime was one route out of ethnic slums. Prostitution, gambling, and extortion rackets thrived in Jewish districts (as in every poor district). Caring individuals created the Jewish Prisoner Aid Society and National Council of Jewish Women to help cope with this bewilderment.

Working Conditions

Immigrants suffered by facing long hours and low pay in their labor jobs. Women had even lower pay, and children, instead of going to school, were often forced into working in dirty conditions. Sweatshops had clocks that could be slowed down during working hours, and workers were charged for needles and the cost of electric power. Until 1907, most workers had to provide their own sewing machine and pay a freight charge for transporting it. The Jews wanted to escape the torments of the sweatshops so they could return to owning small businesses and being craftsmen.