Experience of Jewish Immigrants

Question 1

Why did Jews leave their home country?

Answer 1

• Many Jews were targets of violent attacks (pogroms) in places such as Russia, Eastern Europe and Nazi Germany.
• Some Jews needed to make money before travelling to the USA and therefore didn’t intend to stay in Scotland for very long.

Question 2

What areas of Scotland did Jew settle in?

Answer 2

They settled in areas such as Edinburgh, Dundee and Aberdeen but majority went to Glasgow.

Question 3

What living conditions did Jews have?

Answer 3

Poor housing conditions such as living in overcrowded homes, poor sanitation and disease.

Question 4

What did Jews do for jobs?

Question 5

How did Jews become richer?

Answer 5

They opened up business and used the money made to move to better housing in areas of Glasgow.

Question 6

Why did Jews set up Synagogues?

Answer 6

They were used for community organisations such as youth groups. The oldest Synagogue in Scotland is Garnet Hill built in 1879.

Question 7

How were Jews treated by Scots?

Answer 7

Most people in Scotland were Christian (mainly protestant) so they didn’t agree with the Jewish faith and this led to anti-Jewish feelings. Aslo, some religious Scots disliked Jewish people working on Sundays.

Question 8

List the 4 reasons why Jews were disliked by Scots?

Answer 8

• Jewish immigrants were willing to work lower wages so Scots believed it cut everyone’s wages.
• Some Jews business gained a negative reputation as they were offering poor working conditions.
• During the different cholera outbreaks in the 1800s, Jews were blamed for spreading diseases.
• Groups such as the British Union of Fascists (1930s) tried to encourage anti-Jewish feelings.