150 Years of Jewish Life in Flint: 1850 - 2000

Abstract

The 150 year history of the Jewish Community of Flint, Michigan falls naturally into four time periods that contain distinct themes. Presented in four sections and an epilogue, Part I discusses early Jewish settlers and seeks to answer why the process of establishing a community in Flint required nearly seventy years, until around 1918, after which time, a proliferation of Jewish institutions occurred there. Part II explores the development of Flint's Jewish institutions in the context of such events as the Great Depression, World War II, the establishment of the State of Israel and considers how the Flint Jewish Community forges as identity as it confronts social and economic differences among its members. Part III investigates the impact of the Holocaust upon Flint and resultant migration to the area, the evolution of the Flint Jewish community as a catalyst for social causes, and the effects of abundant economic opportunity upon the composition of Jews in the area prior to 1973 when the early signs of Flint's faltering economy became evident. Part IV includes a synthesis of a migration study of the Flint Jewish Community conducted specifically for this thesis. This section also explores the relationship between Flint's Jewish, non-Jewish and minority communities, the effects of migration and assimilation of Soviet Jews, and examines how the community is facing the challenge of a shrinking and aging population. The epilogue examines trends that are emerging from within Flint's Jewish organizations and seeks answers to how the Flint Jewish community might evolve in the future in view of the economics of the general area.