Miriam's Stories for Our Roys and Girls An American Jewish Press Feature Hello Boys and Girls: We are about to begin a most significant week in our history. You know that it is of the greatest importance - for every citizen to vote on Election Day. I thought you might like to know about the first Jew to be- come an American citizen • • THE FIRST ROUND Peter Stuyvesant, Director- General Of New Netherlands, was an ugly man, and his ugli- ness reached out even to the principles by which he governed this Dutch colony on the East Coast of America. It was 1654. A tiny vessel, the St. Charles, had arrived in New Amstel-dam (now New York City) with 23 Jewish passengers. They had come to escape per- secution in the Portuguese col- ony of Brazil. Stuyvesant greet- ed them with a campaign of anti-Semitism. He petitioned the directors of the Dutch West India Company not to permit any of the "Jewish nation . . . to. infect and trouble this new colony. . . " His campaign was so effective that in March, 1655, ',the leading citizens of the city approved a proposal calling for the expulsion of the Jews. But the Jews of New Amster- dam were not taking this lying .down. They had written to their friends and relatives in Holland, many of whOilt were director8 of the Dutch Wegt In, dia Company, explaining their : problem. The Dutch Jews used 'their influence on the other di- rectors so that an order was issued which explicitly instruct- ed Governor Stuyvesant to per- mit Jews "to -travel, trade and live in the colony." The new Jewish Americans had won the first round in their fight for citizenship. ON GUARD All male inhabitants of New Amsterdam capable of bearing arms were enrolled in the Burg- her Guard for the protection and defense of the city. The Jews, too, expected to take their turns at military duty. But here was a chance for Stuyvesant to show discrimination. His local government passed an ordinance . providing that Jews should "remain exempt from general training and guard duty" and that they should pay a monthly tax for this exemp- tion. Were the New Amsterdam Jews glad to get out of this te- dious task? Not at all! They re- sented the ordinance and they petitioned the authorities for permission to stand guard . at the stockade of New Amsterdam like other citizens. When this was turned down, -they again appealed to the authorities in he mother country,. Holland. This time, their petition was granted. the right of the Jews to acquire and hold property. In Decem- ber, 1655, Salvator D'Andrada, a Jewish merchant, purchased a house and lot at public auction, but Stuyvesant's officers barred him from using it. Again, the case had to be carried back to Holland, before StuyveSant would recognize that Jews, like all other- residents, had the right to acquire and use real property. In a letter dated June 14, 1656, the West India Company severe- ly reprimanded Stuyvesant and specifically ordered him to rec- ognize the • right of Jews to en- gage in all lawful business pur- suits and occupations. MICHIGAN NEEDS A THE TYRANT IS LICKED! With the rights to engage in guard duty, own property and conduct businesses fully estab- lished, it was time for the next step—full citizenship. Ass e r Levy, who had been a leader throughout the • struggle -with Dictator Stuyvesant, appeared in court in April, 1657, and asked for admission to citizen- ship. ' The court turned the matter over to Stuyvesant and his spineless council. All the Jews of the city rallied to support Levy's request. They knew that their own futures depended on the outcome - of his fight. In a petition to the authori- ties, they pointed out that the Jews of Amsterdam enjoyed full citizenship and "our Nation (the Jews) as long as they have been here, have with others borne and paid and still - bear all Burgher burdens . . ." The Stuyvesant regime final- ly realized that it was licked! The governor recognized that the Jews would fight on until MEN OF PROPERTY they gained all rights. Reluc- The next stage in this battle tantly, he ordered his council to toward full, citizenship involved agree to Levy's petition. On April 21, 1657, Jews were admitted to citizenship, and Promote Asser Levy, whose grandson Lewis Levy was later to serve as an officer in the Revolutionary War, -became the first Jewish citizen in America. * * * Even though you are too young to go to the polls on Tuesday, boys and girls, you can help guard this precious priv- ilege of ours by seeing to it that REPUBLICAN your parents get out to vote. Perhaps you can wipe the dishes CLARENCE A. REID or baby-sit with younger broth- ers and sisters. And if you have * Experienced in State Govern- a mock eleetion in your - school, ment ELECT when you put the "X" on your * Spokesman for Labor ballot, remember Asser Levy, REID first Jewish citizen of America. *Lawyer--Wor Veteran AS YOUR NEXT Your friend, LT. GOVERNOR * Present State Senator MIRIAM. FRED M. ALGER REPUBLICAN FOR GOVERNOR CLARENCE A. REID • He can bring to the office of governor - his experience of three terms as Secretary of State. • He can get the cooperation of the Mich- igan Legislature on progressive social measures. • He can bring Michigan finances out of the red without the burden of new taxes. — IP He an bring to the executive office able, efficient and honest government for ALL the people. LT. GOVERNOR • Rabbi Gorrelick to Address Beth Aaron Young Adults Elect Rabbi Benjamin-Gorrelick will address a -meeting of the Beth Aaron Young Adults on Thurs- day evening. His subject will be "How a Rabbi Looks at Mar- ria.ge." A dance is planned for Nov. 8. For tickets, call Bettie Stein, UN. 1-3018. The group bowls at 6:30 p.m., each Sunday, at Rol- awile R e c r ea tion. Prospective members are invited to all three functions. OWEN J. CLEARY SECRETARY OF STATE REPUBLICAN • • • • Attorney Educator War Veteran Sponsor of Israeli Plank at Re- publican National Convention OWEN J. CLEARY F1 Ei ELECT ALGER NOV. 4 Jewish Friends of Fred M. Alger 22—THE JEWISH NEWS Friday, October 31, 195Z CAST YOUR VOTE FOR Owen J. Cleary NOV. 4 Re-Etect FRANK G. MILLARD YOUR PRESENT ATT'Y GENERAL REPUBLICAN • ABLE • COURAGEOUS • EXPERIENCED FRANK G. MILLARD • WAR VETERAN - VOTE FOR MARTHA - W. GRIFFITHS --No. 80 ON. BAu.or ......................................... ELECT FRANK G. MILLARD AGAIN AS YOUR ATTORNEY GENERAL NOV. 4 ! ,• Sponsored by the Volunteers for •Crlffnits Committee. Co-Chairmen, Myrtle Clark, Helen Sevens.