Sephardic-Ashkenazi Contact and the Sephardic Identity in New York City

Author: Aaron Miller

Field of Study: Undeclared

Program Affiliation: Source Project Research Program

Faculty Mentors: Bryan Kirschen, Dina Danon

Easel: 40

Timeslot: Morning

Abstract: During the late 19th and early 20th century, Sephardic and Ashkenazi Jewish immigrant communities came into contact in New York City. This project investigates how these interactions shaped identity and self-perception within the Sephardic community. Several interesting dynamics emerge from these interactions: frustration about the lack of recognition of Sephardim by Ashkenazim, a desire among some Sephardim to assimilate, a doubling down on Sephardic culture among others, division and shared identity within the Sephardic community, and the development of a superiority complex among many Sephardic Jews are all present. These dynamics interplayed with one another in creative and distinct ways among different individuals. This project seeks to reconcile these dynamics by analyzing original news articles and community documents. By analyzing developments among New York Sephardic identity through contact with Ashkenazim and how these ways of thinking interacted with one another, the creation of the American Sephardic identity can be understood.