This lent itself to the connotation of assimilation. Now we know that what Americanization really means in a positive way is the interaction of the values of the various cultures within American life and the contributions that this makes to the growth of our democracy. The great waves of Jewish immigration into this country occurred in the 19th century and the early part of the 20th century. as Indeed did all sizable immigration to the United States. By 1924. when we began to close the doors on immigration by adopting restrictive immigration policies. the country had benefited by a great influx of peoples and cultures. largely from Europe. The early part of the 19th century brought Jews mostly from Western Europe. the latter part and the early part of the 20th century brought Jews largely from Eastern Europe. In Europe. from which they had come. there had been periods when the ghettoes and the forced segregation had eased. and consequently the culture they brought with them was not only what had been preserved from their ancient homeland but had taken on something as well of the country of residence. Indeed. in our own country. the early Jewish immigrants had been thought of as Germans. or whatever. rather than as Jews. Settled largely in the great urban centers. these immigrants proceeded to build their own institutions for their adjustment to the life in America. Yiddish literature. press. and theater flourished. Religious schools for children. schools for adult education. hospitals. synagoguesall these burgeoned throughout the land.
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