Jewish Merchants in the New World: 1800-1900

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Jewish Merchants in the New World: 1800-1900

The lesser-known aspects of the Jewish contribution to economic expansion in the United States during the 19th century was the focus of a conference held at the Center for Jewish History on November 7, 2010 in New York City. Called "Merchants Jews in the New World: 1800-1900," it was sponsored by The Gomez Foundation for Mill House.The conference was part of their lead-up to the 300th anniversary of the construction of the Mill House, situated on the upper Hudson River, which was built by one of the earliest Jewish merchants in this country.

Sessions included a panel of presentation on 19th Century developments in three key areas: retail, industry and finance. Gene Dattel, author of the recently published Cotton and Race in the Making of America: The Human Costs of Economic Power, delivered the keynote address. He was followed by a series of roundtable discussions, roundtable summaries, moderated discussions and more.

Participants included Andrée Aelion Brooks, Jewish historian, journalist and author; Gene Dattel, financial historian and author; David M. Kleinman, publisher, researcher, folklorist, and popular educator. Mr. Kleiman has been involved in family history works for over 35 years; Kenneth Libo, Adjunct Professor of History, Hunter College[was scheduled to attend]; Bonnie S. Wasserman, Lecturer,Fordham University; Ainsley Henriques, historian; Kate Myslinski, genealogy researcher and writer and Ruth Abrahams, executive director of the Gomez Foundation.

Ruth Abrahams welcomed the assembly and introduced president Robert Jacobs, who offered greetings on behalf of the Trustees. Gene Dattel, author of the recently published Cotton and Race in the Making of America: The Human Costs of Economic Power, delivered the fascinating keynote address on the impact of the cotton trade on 19th Century America , with particular emphasis on Jewish merchants engaged in the growing, distribution, manufacturing and financing of the industry. Dattel then joined panelists David Kleiman and Bonnie Wasserman for a lively discussion on three areas of major impact by Jewish merchants in the 19th Century: finance, retail, and industry. A series of lively roundtable discussions with audience members led by the panelists and Kate Myslinski (industry), Ainsley Henriques (retail), and Julian Boyden (finance) followed. Andrée Aelion Brooks conducted the summaries and final discussion.


Panel discussion on with moderator David Kleiman and Bonnie S. Wasserman Gene Dattel.	Gene Dattel commenting on the founding of the great Jewish financial institutions in 19th Century America.	David Kleiman shares new information on the genealogy of Luis Gomez and his descendents.	Program participants Kate Myslinski (l) and Bonnie Wasserman (r) with Jane Jacobs (center)

Finance roundtable discussion led by Ainsley Henriques.	Gene Dattel and Julian Boyden lead a discussion at the Finance roundtable.	Finance roundtable participants in lively discussion.	Gene Dattel and Licia Hahn Dattel

(from left to right) Andrée Brooks with Ainsley Henriques, Ruth Abrahams, Robert Jacobs, and Gene Dattel	Andrée Aelion Brooks and Randall Belinfante, American Sephardi Federation, Librarian & Archivist	Dr. Paul Rhodes, Bonnie Wasserman & Ainsley Henriques	Gomez Foundation Trustee Barbara Tamerin, who graciously held a pre-conference reception at her home

Robert Low poses a question to panelists.	GFMH volunteers Noa Cooper and Sylvia Bashkow	Gomez family artifacts from late 18th C through 19th C including Aaron Lopez wedding gift (check) dated 1860, and Joseph Priestly Letters to the Jews and Response by David Levi, both published in 1787 by Benjamin Gomez.	Exhibit on Organized Jewish Congregations in the Americas Prior to 1867 by Dr. Barry Stiefel, College of Charleston, SC.

The conference was the second of three to explore the theme of Jewish Merchants in the New World. The prior year's conference covered the early period, 1500-1800, and the 2011 conference will focus upon 1900-present.