Overview

The pioneer Jews of San Francisco arrived from Germany during the Gold Rush and were instrumental in building the city. The roles they were relegated to in the Old World -- peddler and petty merchant -- were highly valued in the Gold Rush. The openness of Gold Rush California allowed these Jews to assimilate far more and have a greater impact on the building and defining of a major city than any other Jewish community in America. But this acceptance came at a price -- assimilation put this community in danger of losing its Jewish identity.