Jewish immigrants began arriving in Scotland in the 1800s/early 1900s, settling mainly in Glasgow to escape pogroms in Eastern Europe. They faced difficulties practicing their faith due to a lack of synagogues and faced discrimination from some Christian Scots. However, as synagogues and community organizations were established, and they gained economic opportunities, Jewish identity and life became firmly established in Scotland's urban centers despite facing some prejudice.

1. Migration &
Empire,
1830-1939
Immigrants in Scotland –
Jewish people

2. In today’s class I am learning to:
• Describe the experiences of Jewish
immigrants in Scotland
• Explain why some Scots supported or
opposed Jewish immigration
Immigrants in Scotland – Jewish people

3. Jewish people made up only a small proportion of
immigration to Scotland in the 1800s and early
1900s, but they still had a significant impact.
Immigrants in Scotland – Jewish people

4. Reasons for
moving
Immigrants in Scotland – Jewish people

5. Scotland attracted Jewish
immigrants because it was
seen as a safer place to
live than in other parts of
Europe.
Many Jews had been the
targets of pogroms
(violent attacks) in Russia,
Eastern Europe and also
Nazi Germany.
Immigrants in Scotland – Jewish people

6. Other Jewish immigrants
came to Scotland as a
‘stop off’, not intending to
stay for a long time.
Many Jews wished to
travel to the USA but
could not afford to do so
in one journey, so came to
Scotland to make money
before going to America.
Immigrants in Scotland – Jewish people

7. Where they
lived
Immigrants in Scotland – Jewish people

8. By the 1930s, Jews only
accounted for around
10,000 of the country’s
population.
The majority of Jews in
Scotland settled in
Glasgow, but there were
also Jewish communities
in Edinburgh, Dundee and
Aberdeen.
Immigrants in Scotland – Jewish people

9. Within Glasgow, most
Jews tended to live in
similar locations.
Many Jews lived in the
impoverished Gorbals
area. Other areas of the
city with Jewish
communities included
Pollokshaws and also the
West End.
Immigrants in Scotland – Jewish people

10. The oldest synagogue in
Scotland is found in the
Garnethill area of Glasgow
(near the city centre).
The synagogue was built in
1879. It was used not only
for worship but to set up
community organisations
for Jews, including youth
groups.
Immigrants in Scotland – Jewish people

11. Employment
Immigrants in Scotland – Jewish people

12. Initially many Jews worked
in the tailoring industry,
where they made clothes.
This often involved long
hours and also offered low
rates of pay.
Some Jews also worked in
other workplaces in the
cities, such as factories in
Glasgow or Edinburgh.
Immigrants in Scotland – Jewish people

13. Some Jews worked as
hawkers and peddlers;
this meant they sold
products in the street or
went door-to-door selling
goods as well.
Other Jews made found
work selling tobacco in
Glasgow, especially
cigarettes.
Immigrants in Scotland – Jewish people

14. Many Jews set up their
own businesses, including
those selling tobacco and
furniture.
Other Jews set up grocer
shops, or tried to make
money by selling whisky,
or opening warehouses to
store goods. Others
opened bakeries.
Immigrants in Scotland – Jewish people

15. Over time – especially
after World War One –
more Jews had the money
and resources to attend
university.
As a result of this
education, more people in
the community began to
work as lawyers and
doctors.
Immigrants in Scotland – Jewish people

16. Housing
conditions
Immigrants in Scotland – Jewish people

17. Jewish immigrants often
lived in poor communities,
notably the Gorbals area
of Glasgow.
This was because the rent
tended to be cheaper in
these areas, which was
important to Jewish
immigrants who often had
little money.
Immigrants in Scotland – Jewish people

18. As a result of living in poor
communities, Jews often
faced the same poor
housing conditions which
many Scots endured.
This included living in
overcrowded homes, with
poor sanitation, leading to
the constant threat of
disease.
Immigrants in Scotland – Jewish people

19. As some Jews became
richer – especially after
starting their own
businesses – many moved
to areas of Glasgow that
had better housing.
Areas such as
Pollokshields and the
West End offered a higher
standard of living.
Immigrants in Scotland – Jewish people

20. Personal
identity
Immigrants in Scotland – Jewish people

21. As there were few Jews
living in Scotland in the
early 1800s, it was initially
difficult for Jewish
immigrants to practice
their faith.
For instance there was a
lack of synagogues or
rabbis to conduct Jewish
religious services.
Immigrants in Scotland – Jewish people

22. Synagogues were built,
mainly in Glasgow and
Edinburgh, including the
Garnethill Synagogue in
Glasgow which was built
in 1879.
In addition burial grounds
were purchased so that
Jews could be buried in
their own cemetery.
Immigrants in Scotland – Jewish people

23. Jews also needed schools
for their children. This
included teaching them
about the Jewish faith,
and also to speak the
Hebrew language.
Teaching was carried out
in a synagogue, usually on
two or three occasions
each week.
Immigrants in Scotland – Jewish people

24. Jewish identity was also
maintained in other ways.
Jews would speak Yiddish
in their communities.
Groups to support Jews
were set up, including
different Jewish
newspapers, or loan
companies to help Jewish
businesses.
Immigrants in Scotland – Jewish people

25. Relations with
Scots
Immigrants in Scotland – Jewish people

26. As the Jews were a
relatively small proportion
of the Scottish population,
they faced less
discrimination than some
other immigrant groups.
Some historians have
argued that anti-Catholic
views shielded Jews from
anti-Semitism.
Immigrants in Scotland – Jewish people

27. Most people in Scotland
were Christian (mainly
Protestant) and some did
not agree with the Jewish
faith, leading to anti-
Jewish feelings.
In particular some
religious Scots disliked
Jewish people working on
Sundays.
Immigrants in Scotland – Jewish people

28. Other Scots resented
Jewish immigrants who
worked for low wages,
believing it cut everyone’s
wage levels.
Some Jews business
owners gained a negative
reputation as a harsh
‘master’, offering poor
working conditions.
Immigrants in Scotland – Jewish people

29. Jews sometimes suffered
due to rumours and anti-
immigrant feeling.
During different cholera
outbreaks in the 1800s,
Jews were blamed for
spreading the disease,
which led to anti-Semitic
feelings amongst some
people in Glasgow.
Immigrants in Scotland – Jewish people

30. Some groups – such as the
British Union of Fascists in
the 1930s – did attempt to
stoke anti-Jewish feelings
in Scotland.
One of the group’s leaders
was Scottish however they
never succeeded in
attracting significant
support in Scotland.
Immigrants in Scotland – Jewish people