The Limits of Gender Equality in 19th Century American Jewish Colonies

IN THE YEARS following the outbreak of anti-Jewish violence in 1881-2, large numbers of Russian Jews began to search for a way to solve their own "Jewish problem".Tired of waiting for Tsarist Russia to follow the path of the western European nations and emancipate them, Russian Jews increasingly sought ways to emancipate themselves.Through migration, nearly half a million Jews escaped Eastern Europe for a new life in the West or Palestine by the end of the century.Yet many Russian Jews were not content to simply escape through migration.Such individuals hoped to change society in order to eliminate inequalities caused by religious hostilities and class differences-and, in some cases, gender inequality.Some of these reformers joined radical political groups, hoping to change Russia from within, while others strove to create model communities, either in Palestine or in the West, which would serve as examples of the ideal society and inspire the rest of the world.The Am Olam emerged in the Spring of 1881 as an organization committed to the establishment of communal, agrarian colonies in the United States.Am Olam members dedicated themselves to proving the productive capacity of Jews and to providing to the world a model community based on equality.While gender equality was not the centerpiece of their program, many looked to create communities in which men and women would be equal.