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INDEX
People
Abravanel, Don Isaac
Berg, Gertude (Molly Goldberg)
Berg, Moe
Berle, Milton
Berlin, Irving
Bernstein, Leonard
Brandeis, Louis D.
Cardozo, Benjamin
Columbus, Christopher
Einstein, Albert
Elion, Gertrude
Frankel,Jacob
Gershwin, George
Ginsburg, Ruth Bader
Gompers, Samuel
Goode, Alexander
Goodman, Benny
Gratz, Rebecca
Greenberg, Hank
Hillman, Sidney
Hoffman, Jeffrey
Houdini, Harry
Jefferson, Thomas
Karpeles,
Leopold
Lamarr, Hedy
Lazarus, Emma
Lehman, Herbert H.
Levy, Asser
Levy, Uriah P.
Magnes, Judah L.
Meir, Golda
Miller, Arthur
Myerson, Bess
Noah, Mordecai E.
Ochs, Adolph
Pulitzer, Joseph
Resnik, Judith
Rose, Ernestine
Robert Rosenthal
Ross, Barney
Salk, Jonas
Salomon, Haym
Santangel, Luis de
Sarnoff, David
Schick, Bela
Seixas, Gershom M.
Singer, Isaac B.
Stern, Isaac
Straus, Isidor & Ida
Strauss, Levi
Streisand, Barbra
Szold, Henrietta
Torres, Luis de
Touro, Judah
Washington, George
Wiesel, Elie
Zacuto, Abraham
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Introduction
Jews
have made important contributions to the history and
culture of America from the time of Columbus. This
virtual tour gives brief sketches of people, places and
events that are recognized by the Jewish-American Hall
of Fame and have significantly influenced future
generations.
Learn that it was Spanish Jewry, not Spanish jewelry,
that paid for Columbus' voyage of discovery. Discover
that one of the first rights fought for and won by Jews
in America, was the right to bear arms in the local
militia (Asser Levy). Read how the man who raised funds
for the American Revolution died penniless (Haym
Salomon). Meet women who were pioneers in education
(Rebecca Gratz) and equal rights (Ernestine Rose).
Acquaint yourself with the leader of a nation (Golda
Meir) and with a leading entertainer (Barbra Streisand).
You will find the famous (Einstein and Houdini), as well
as those whose names are not household words (Judah
Magnes and Bela Schick). There are legends in sports
(Hank Greenberg) and music (Benny Goodman). Plus much
more -- like the Jewish heroes and heroines of the
Titanic disaster (Isidor & Ida Straus and David Sarnoff)
and to Thomas Jefferson's home of Monticello (Uriah P.
Levy).
Walk through the virtual tour in chronological order, or
just click on people, places, and events of interest.
Entries are illustrated by the limited edition
commemorative medals that have been issued annually by
the Jewish-American Hall of Fame. For availability,
visit our Shop.
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Medal by Paul Vincze (1986), commemorates
500th anniversary of Columbus' first audience
with Queen Isabella. |
Christopher Columbus (1451-1506)
There has been much speculation over the centuries as to
whether Christopher Columbus may have been Jewish or of
Jewish descent. The Encyclopaedia Britannica indicates
that he may have come from a Spanish-Jewish family
settled in Genoa, Italy. But there is no question that
it was his Spanish-Jewish friends who were instrumental
in arranging for his meeting with the Spanish Monarchs
in 1486 and who turned his dream into reality.
Luis de
Santangel (?-1498)
Contrary to popular opinion, it was not Queen Isabella's
jewelry, but Spanish Jewry that made Columbus'
historical trip of discovery possible. Actually it was
Luis de Santangel, whose grandfather had converted from
Judaism to Christianity under pressure of Spanish
persecutions, who lent nearly 5 million maravedis to pay
for the voyage. In addition, Santangel's influence with
King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella was decisive in
gaining their acceptance of Columbus' proposals. In
recognition of his assistance, Santangel was the first
to hear of the historic discoveries directly in a
personal letter from Columbus. Showing his allegiance to
his former co-religionists, Luis de Santangel made
substantial contributions toward the hiring of ships
that enabled them to leave when they were expelled en
mass from Spain.
Don
Isaac Abravanel (1437-1508)
Another of Columbus' stalwart friends was Don Isaac
Abravanel, who had remained stalwart to his religion and
who was one of the most distinguished biblical scholars,
philosophers and statesmen of the period. He also helped
to finance Columbus' voyage, although he was not there
to greet the great explorer upon his return ... since
Abravanel was also expelled from Spain, in spite of his
high position in the court of Ferdinand and Isabella.
Abraham
Zacuto (1452-c.1515)
Before the Expulsion, Abraham Zacuto was forced to leave
his native Spain. He was later named Royal Mathematician
to the Portuguese royal court. There, he improved the
astrolabe (early navigational instrument) and prepared
astronomical tables, greatly improving navigational
accuracy on the high seas. A copy of Zacuto's
astronomical tables, along with Columbus' personal
annotations, is still preserved in Seville.
Click Here to Take Christopher Columbus Quiz
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