New York: Merchant Jews in the New World, Nov. 7

Plan ahead for this interesting conference - Merchant Jews in the New World, 1800-1900 - to be held at the Center for Jewish History, on Sunday, November 7.

The 2009 conference covered 1500-1800; this year's program covers 1800-1900; and 2011 will focus on 1900-the present.

The conference will focus on lesser-known Jewish contributions to economic expansion of retail, industry and finance in 19th century America. It is sponsored by The Gomez Foundation for Mill House, as part of the lead up to the 300th anniversary of the construction of the Mill House, on the upper Hudson River. It was built by one of the earliest Jewish merchants in the US.

Sessions include presentations on 19th century developments in retail, industry and finance, as well as roundtables and discussions.

The keynote address will be by Gene Dattel, author of "Cotton and Race in the Making of America: The Human Costs of Economic Power."

Other presenters include:

-- Andrée Aelion Brooks, Jewish historian, journalist and author
-- Kenneth Libo, Adjunct Professor of History, Hunter College
-- Bonnie S. Wasserman, Lecturer, Fordham University
-- Ainsley Henriques, historian, Jamaican and Caribbean Jews
-- Kate Myslinski, Colonial Jewish genealogist, writer
-- Ruth Abrahams, executive director, Gomez Foundation

Said Abrahams, "We hope to encourage further dialogue on the topic of Jewish contributions to the founding and development of America."

The day includes a kosher continental breakfast and buffet lunch, at the CJH, 15 West 16th Street, New York. Registration: $75; seniors 60+ and students under 21, $65 (also CJH members, affiliates and Channel 13).


For more information, email the Gomez Foundation, or to register, click here. Click here for more information on the non-profit The Gomez Foundation for Mill House, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.