The Norwich Jewish Center will host historian Dr. Edward J. Erickson, who will present “Tradesmen, Cattle Dealers, and Chemists – Chenango County’s Jewish Community from 1914-2025” on Sunday, September 27, at 2 pm, at the Norwich Jewish Center, 72 South Broad St., Norwich. The presentation is open to the public, but those planning to attend must pre-register here.
There were three “waves” of Jewish families immigrating to Chenango County in the 20th century. The earliest wave came in 1900-30 and they were mostly Eastern European tradesmen. The second wave arrived between 1937-41, composed of southern German farmers and cattle dealers, who were fleeing the Nazis. The third wave came after World War II, and comprised manufacturers and educated professionals, who were mostly native-born. “Together, these disparate groups bonded into a united community that created the Jewish Center of Norwich, built new industries and businesses and opened professional practices throughout the county,” said organizers of the event. “If you lived in Norwich in the mid to late 20th century, you would remember numbers of Jewish families and you will certainly remember how important they were in our economy, our schools and our lives.
“By the 1970s, the Jewish community of Chenango County, centered in Norwich, was a large, vibrant and influential force in the city and throughout the county, with over 60 families. Sadly, the loss of manufacturing and pharmaceutical laboratories between 1970-2009, as well as the decline of the cattle industry and dairy farming, tore the heart out of Norwich’s Jewish community,” organizers continued. “Very few families remain today. Like much of our city’s history, their stories exist now only in our memories and in our hearts. Join historian Ed Erickson as he discusses his research and the story of a once influential community, their achievements and their legacies.”