Suggested Reading
Jewish Pioneers
Diner, Hasia. Jewish Americans: The Immigrant Experience. Hugh Lauter
Levin Associates, Inc., 2002
Contains a two-page spread featuring the quilts of Andrea Kalinowski.
Libo, Kenneth and Irving Howe. We Lived There Too: In Their Own Words and Pictures,
Pioneer Jews and the Westward Movement of America, 1630-1930. St. Martin's/Marek,
1984.
Migration has long been part of the Jewish experience, and there were many Jewish
pioneers among those who participated in the movement westward in the United
States. This book examines the survival and adaptation of Jewish beliefs and
customs by re-creating the lives and experiences of both men and women who were
part of this frontier life.
Marks, M. L. Jews Among the Indians: Tales of Adventure and Conflict in the
Old West. Benison Books, 1992.
Jews Among the Indians considers the cross-cultural exchanges and the conflicts
that arose from the encounters of immigrant Jews and Native Americans. It demonstrates
how these relationships impacted both Jewish and Native American communities.
Rochlin, Harriet and Fred. Pioneer Jews: A New Life in the Far West. Houghton
Mifflin, 1984.
Pioneer Jews discusses the immigration of Jews from Europe to the Southwest
and to be part of the California gold rush. It discusses some of the family "dynasties"
that emerged in the West, as well as Jewish entrepreneurs, the impact of Jews
on shaping communities along the frontier and their efforts to maintain their
religious practices throughout the dramatic social changes that were taking place.
Schloff, Linda Mack. 'And Prairie Dogs Weren't Kosher': Jewish Women in the
Upper Midwest Since 1855. Minnesota Historical Society Press, 1996.
"Linking the personal and the historical, Schloff integrates oral accounts,
diaries, letters, and autobiographies with original research and interpretation
to shed vital new light on the Jewish experience in America's heartland. The
book uses the voices of four generations of Jewish women who settled in Minnesota,
the Dakotas, Iowa, and Wisconsin to show how they transported and transformed
their cultural and religious life in a region inhabited by few Jews." -the publisher
Sharfman, Harold I. Jews on the Frontier: An Account of Jewish Pioneers and
Settlers in Early America. Henry Regnery, 1977.
This is a classic study about early Jewish communities of the American frontier.
Now out of print but may be available in libraries.
Tobias, Henry J. A History of the Jews in New Mexico. University of New
Mexico Press, 1992.
This is the first general study of Jews in New Mexico that relates the social
and political history from the colonial period to the present. Included are
sections on Crypto-Jews, merchants and settlers and religious practices.
Uchill, Ida Libert. Pioneers, Peddlers and Tsadikim: The Story of the Jews
in Colorado. University Press of Colorado, 2000.
There are regional studies on Jewish pioneers for many states of the American
West. Pioneers, Peddlers and Tsadikim, originally published in 1957, was revised
and updated in 2000 and covers the history and contributions of Jews in many
frontier towns throughout Colorado. Includes a chronology.
Weinberg, Sidney Stahl. The World of Our Mothers: The Lives of Jewish Immigrant
Women. University of North Carolina Press, 1988.
The World of Our Mothers is based on the oral histories of 46 women who came
to the United States in the early 20th century. This book can provide an important
context for these Jewish women's later migrations across the United States.
Women of the West
Foote, Cheryl J. Women of the New Mexico Frontier, 1846-1912. University
Press of Colorado, 1990.
Biographical sketches of eight women of New Mexico frontier life drawing on
letters, diaries, newspaper articles, military records and oral narratives.
Among the women highlighted are army wives, a writer, an anthropologist and
a Protestant missionary.
Holmes, Kenneth L., ed. Covered Wagon Women: Diaries and Letters from the Western
Trails. Arthur H. Clark, Co., 1983.
This is an 11-volume compilation of primary sources related to women's roles
in overland journeys to the American West. These diaries, letters and other
documents, many of which were previously unpublished, provide vivid accounts
of the women's experiences and demonstrate each writer's distinct motivations,
experiences and personality.
Luchetti, Cathy. Women of the West. Antelope Island Press, 1982.
Based on excerpts from the diaries and other materials of 11 women, as well
as a generous selection of documentary photographs, Women of the West weaves
a fascinating visual and textual narrative of the lives of women on the frontier.
The lively excerpts give a strong sense of what these women's daily lives and
hardships were like, including for women minorities, but the photographs provide
the most valuable insight.
Niederman, Sharon. A Quilt of Words: Women's Diaries, Letters and Original
Accounts of Life in the Southwest, 1860-1960. Johnson Books, 1990.
A Quilt of Words provides personal accounts by 15 women who lived on the
rugged Southwestern frontier. Their oral histories and diaries vividly portray
their daily struggles and their newly discovered sense of personal freedom.
Riley, Glenda. Women and Indians on the Frontier, 1825-1915. University
of New Mexico Press, 1984.
This study examines pioneer women's preconceived notions derived from popular
literature and journalism of Native Americans and how these changed as a result
of their journeys to the West and their encounters with Native Americans. Through
memoirs, reminiscences, daybooks and diaries, the conflicts that developed and
the relationships that grew are examined.
Schlissel, Lillian. Women's Diaries of the Westward Journey. Schocken Books,
1982.
In the first half of this book, the author provides the historical context for
the migration of more than 250,000 people across the country between 1840 and
1870, framing it as a "family matter," rather than the history of men alone.
The reader is then introduced to some of the women who made this journey through
substantial excerpts from their personal journals and writings.
Quilt-making, History and Artistry
Dewhurst, C. Kurt, and Marsha McDowell. To Honor and Comfort: Native Quilting
Traditions. Museum of New Mexico Press, 1997.
Contains essays about and images of quilts by Native American and Hawaiian quilters.
This book presents Native quilting traditions that have been largely ignored
and emphasized rather as an art form more widely practiced in other cultures.
This book illustrates how many cultures have adapted this artistic practice.
Hedges, Elaine, Julie Silber and Pat Ferrero. Hearts and Hands: Women, Quilts
and American Society. Rutledge Hill Press, 1996.
This book is based on the film by the same name by Pat Ferrero. Ferrero's documentary
explores the roles played by women and their textiles in the 19th century. Topics
covered are their roles in industrialization, the abolition of slavery, women's
rights, the Civil War, and westward expansion.
Kiracofe, Roderick, Mary Elizabeth Johnson, and Mary Elizabeth Huff. The American
Quilt: A History of Cloth and Comfort, 1750-1950. Crown Books for Young Readers,
1993.
With more than 250 illustrations, this book places quilts within their historical
and
cultural context. The author goes into details about fabrics, dyes and patterns,
but
also how the quilt has been used in American society by various groups over
the
years, from slaves to pioneers.
Ringgold, Faith. Faith Ringgold: The Last Story Quilt. Videocassette, 28
minutes. L&S Video, 1991.
Ringgold is a renowned African-American artist who is known for her painted
quilts. This video is about the artist and her process.
Tobin, Jacqueline L., and Raymond G. Dobard. Hidden in Plain View: A Secret
Story of Quilts and the Underground Railroad. Doubleday, 1999.
This study describes quilt-making traditions among African Americans,
specifically explaining how slaves encoded messages within quilt patterns in
order to help fugitives find their way to freedom along the Underground Railroad.
It covers African oral tradition and decorative arts as well as the history
and styles
of African American quilt-making.
For young readers
Cobb, Mary. The Quilt Block History of Pioneer Days. Millbrook Press, 1995.
This book connects information on pioneer life to particular quilts and the
patterns or designs they use, demonstrating how life experiences can be incorporated
into visual arts. There are also paper projects for students including a quilt-block
collage, a bookmark, an ornament, and a folded-paper box. (Ages 8 and up)
Danneberg, Julie. Amidst the Gold Dust: Women Who Forged the West. Fulcrum,
2001.
These stories of the lives of five women of the 19th century combine biography
with fictional narrative. Their stories are presented as diary excerpts, giving
the reader the impression of knowing the individual's thoughts and observations
as well as the time period in which they lived. Illustrations of some of the
objects and possessions that might have been part of their daily lives accompany
sidebars of historical facts and issues. (Ages 8 and up)
Hesse, Karen. Letters from Rifka. Penguin Putnam Books, 1993.
Letters from Rifka is a chronicle of a 12-year-old Russian girl's journey
to America with her family. Based on letters written to her cousin in the margins
of a book, Rifka recounts illnesses, separation from her family during the journey,
and numerous other obstacles in a search for a better life free from the discrimination
experienced by Jews in Russia. (Ages 9-12)
Hopkinson, Deborah. Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt. Knopf, 1993.
This illustrated book tells the story of Clara, a slave who creates a quilt
diagramming an escape route for slaves along the Underground Railroad. Based
on historical fact of slaves making use of this artistic tradition in order
to escape
slavery. (Ages 5-8)
Hyatt, Patricia Rusch. Coast to Coast with Alice. Carolrhoda Books, 1995.
In 1909, Hermine Jahns and Alice Ramsay drove across the country together. This
work of fiction based on Alice's memoirs follows that journey westward. Like
the pioneers of the American West, Hermine and Alice overcame their own difficulties
and encountered their own adventures. (Ages 7-10)
Johnston, Tony. The Quilt Story. Putnam, 1985.
This illustrated children's book follows a quilt from its creation in the pioneer
days through its use in current times. The journey of one girl in a moving van
parallels the journey of another in a covered wagon. Despite the different generations,
the stories of the relationship between mother and daughter have not changed.
(Ages 4-8)
Joosse, Barbara M. Lewis and Papa: Adventure on the Santa Fe Trail. Chronicle,
1998.
This illustrated children's book is the story of a father and his young son
who travel the Santa Fe Trail in order to sell some trade goods. Along the way,
Lewis learns about some of the hardships of such a journey, and learns some
valuable lessons from his father. Historical notes and a glossary are also included.
(Ages 4-8)
Ketchum, Liza. Into a New Country: Eight Remarkable Women of the West.
Little
Brown, 2000.
This is a collection of eight biographies of women who lived in the West in
the 19th century, each with a fascinating story. The author makes an effort
to represent women of various ethnic backgrounds, including Native American
sisters, a former African-American slave, and a Chinese immigrant. (Ages 12
and up)
Kimball, Violet T. Stories of Young Pioneers: In Their Own Words. Mountain
Press
Publishing.
Children were also among those many pioneers who made the journey westward in
the 1900s, and this book brings their experiences and unique perspectives to
light through memoirs, letters and journal entries. The book is organized by
topics including "Daily Life on the Trail," "Fun and Recreation Fun," and "Encounters
with Native Americans," and features profiles of the individuals who ranged
in age from 6 to 19 at the times of their journeys along the Oregon, California
and Mormon Trails. (Ages 12 and up)
Maidens, Marion and Mel Marks. Jewish Heroes of the Wild West. Bloch Publishing
Company, 1997.
This book is an adaptation of M. L. Marks' book Jews Among the Indians and is
intended for young readers. (Ages 5 and up)
Moss, Marissa. Rachel's Journal: The Story of a Pioneer Girl. Harcourt,
2001.
Made to look like an actual diary with hand-written excerpts on lined paper
and watercolor illustrations, Rachel's Journal constructs a family's journey
in covered wagon from Illinois along the Oregon Trail to California through
the eyes of a 10-year-old girl. Although this is a fictional account, it is
based on excerpts from journals of actual overland migrations across the country.
(Ages 8-12)
Polacco, Patricia. The Keeping Quilt. Simon and Schuster, 2001.
The Keeping Quilt shows how a particular quilt tells a family's history and
keeps family traditions alive. Made from pieces of fabric from various articles
of clothing when the family first immigrated from Russia to New York, the quilt
has been passed from mother to daughter for four generations and used in various
Jewish ceremonies. (Ages 4-8)
Stanley, Jerry. Frontier Merchants: Lionel and Barron Jacobs and the Jewish
Pioneers Who Settled the West. Crown Publishing Group, 1998.
Frontier Merchants tells the story of two Jewish brothers who moved to Tucson,
Arizona in 1867 with a freight wagon of merchandise and built a thriving mercantile
business and, eventually, the territory's first bank. Their story illustrates
the important economic impact Jewish entrepreneurs had on the development of
the American West. (Ages 12-15)
Wilder, Laura Ingalls. On the Way Home: The Diary of a Trip from South Dakota
to Mansfield, Missouri, in 1894. Harper Collins, 1976.
This book is part of the larger Little House series based on the life experiences
of Laura Ingalls Wilder. On the Way Home is based on Wilder's diary of the events
and places of their journey from South Dakota to Missouri, where she and her
family were moving to start a new life. It was in Mansfield, Missouri that Wilder
wrote the Little House books. (Ages 8-12)
Dear America Series
http://www.scholastic.com/dearamerica/
The Dear America Series is a popular series of books written as first-hand accounts
based on particular historic moments. Though fictional, these diaries are based
on historical research and present a youth's perspective on such topics and
eras as the European arrival in the New World, slavery, the American Revolution,
the Civil War, immigration and the overland journey across the United States.
Young readers learn about history as if from a peer, in a nicely presented publication
that appears like a small diary. Historical notes, illustrations and photographs
assist in bringing historical context to the diary entries. Several of these
titles are particularly relevant to curriculum on the American frontier and/or
Jewish pioneers. (Ages 9-13)
Lasky, Kathryn. Dreams in the Golden Country: The Diary of Zipporah Feldman,
a Jewish Immigrant Girl. Scholastic, 1998.
An historical-fictional account of Zippy, a 12-year-old Jewish immigrant from
Russia who documents her family's first 18 months on the Lower East Side in
New York City at the turn of the century.
Gregory, Kristiana. Across the Wide and Lonesome Prairie: The Oregon Trail
Diary of Hattie Campbell. Scholastic, 1997.
Thirteen-year-old Hattie chronicles her family's 1847 overland journey along
the Oregon Trail as part of a wagon train.
Murphy, Jim. West to a Land of Plenty: The Diary of Teresa Angelino Viscardi.
Scholastic, 1998.
Follow Teresa, an Italian immigrant girl, and her family as they move from New
York City to a utopian community in Idaho called Opportunity in the late 1800s.