Early Jewish immigrants in Omaha relied on fellow settlers from their home countries. Many started out as peddlers, craftspeople, or tradespeople. Local Jewish organizations like the Jewish Free Loan Society helped finance many of them.
The growing community built a synagogue and cemetery and created other important cultural, social, charitable, and educational institutions. Settlers derived purpose, meaning, and comfort from their shared groups and traditions, and these deep connections to one another helped them flourish.
COMMUNITY
Most of the German Jews who came to Omaha in the mid-nineteenth century settled southwest of downtown. Between the 1880s and early 1900s, later waves of immigrants settled north of 24th Street. They filled this thriving area with grocery stores, kosher markets, dry goods shops, and many small synagogues. In 1926, the Jewish Community Center opened at 20th and Dodge, across the street from Central High School.
As the city grew westward, Jews moved to Dundee, the city’s first suburb. After World War Il, young families moved to Dillon’s Fairacres, then called the “Bagel.” The three major synagogues also moved to this area. The next generation settled farther west, and the JCC and synagogues moved to where they are today.
JCC Promotion of classes for women
Sunday School Class at the JCC, 1941
B’nai B’rith Bowling League, 1951-1952
