American Jewish Merchants & History of the Jewish Doctor

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Dr. Ruth Abrahams (212) 294-8329

Lecture Explores the History of the Jewish Doctor

(July 28, 2010) Why do so many Jews seem to gravitate towards the medical fields? The answer may come as a surprise. It has nothing whatsoever to do, as the wags might expect, with the ambitions of their Jewish mothers. Rather, it is a result of attitudes towards life and health that began back in antiquity, along with the long distance trading activities of the Jewish merchants of those days and later centuries.

A fuller exploration of the topic will be offered at the Gomez Mill House on Sunday, August 8 at 1 pm. The lecture will be given by Andrée Aelion Brooks, a journalist and author who has been studying the phenomenon in depth.

Ms. Brooks was formerly a contributing columnist and new writer for the New York Times. She now specializes in writing and teaching about the uncommon stories of Jewish history. Her work has won many awards. Every summer she gives a lecture at the Mill House and over the years, these have become popular annual events. More information on Brooks can be found at her website, andreeaelionbrooks.com

The experiences of these doctors, many of whom were part of kinship networks with those Jewish travelers and traders echo the theme of the Gomez Mill House Historic Site, as it is named after an international merchant of Jewish origin, Luis Moses Gomez. Born in Spain, Gomez first participated in the lucrative Caribbean trade. He then moved to New York City in the early days of the colonies, and later bought land in Northern Orange and Southern Ulster Counties to establish a trading post up the Hudson River.

Sunday at the Mill House is an ongoing program of lectures and presentations on subjects related to the history of the Gomez Mill House, the oldest historic house on the National Register in Orange County. The program will be held under the great tent on the lawn in front of the historic house. Light refreshments will be served. For more information call 845-236-3126.

Both events will take place at the Gomez Mill House
11 Mill House Rd. Marlboro, NY 12542

Program Costs $5.00 / Start time 1:00 pm

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Jewish Merchants in the New World:1500-1800, is sponsored by The Gomez Foundation for Mill House, a not-for-profit organization registered in the State of New York and established to support the preservation, conservation and public programs of the Gomez Mill House Historic Site and Museum in Orange County, New York, the oldest Jewish dwelling in America. The Gomez Mill House was founded in 1714, by Colonial American Jewish merchant and pioneer, Luis Moses Gomez, and was home to Revolutionary patriot Wolfert Acker, gentleman farmer William Henry Armstrong, Arts and Crafts paper artisan Dard Hunter, and social activist Martha Gruening. The Mill House is on the National Park Service's National Register of Historic Places.