Fifteen area teens spent a recent day exploring Ellis Island and visiting the Statue of Liberty during the Katz JCC in Cherry Hill’s “From Arrival to Belonging: A Jewish Teen Journey to Liberty & Ellis Island.” Ranging in age from 10 to 18, they learned about the two million Jews who passed through Ellis Island during their immigration to the United States as well as the 10 million others from throughout the world who immigrated there. Although they had heard about Ellis Island, the Statue of Liberty, and immigration to America, this was an opportunity to tour the location and see what it was really like.
Molly Lavene, a 16-year-old making her first visit to Ellis Island, said that she learned a lot about all the different languages spoken by the immigrants as they arrived in America. “I was surprised how many were let in,” she said, noting that the population got more diverse.
Joey Zalcmann saw that not everyone was treated equally upon their arrival. Doctors, lawyers, teachers, and others with professions got more opportunities in America. “It should be equal,” he said.
Sixth grader Sadie Riviello said that she learned that there were many different reasons people came to America. “Some were in danger; some people came for opportunity; and some people were forced to come, like enslaved Africans,” she said.
Riviello said that her Bubbie’s grandparents came through Ellis Island after leaving Russia and Poland. At Ellis Island, Sadie learned that those coming to America were subject to medical tests to determine if they were healthy enough to enter.
Although 98 percent of potential immigrants were allowed in, approximately two percent were sent back to their country of origin. This fact surprised many of the young people on the trip.
Max Pollak, a 10-year-old, also learned how hard it was just to get to America—the journey, often by foot, from their homes to the ships as well as the grueling trip across the Atlantic. He also learned that upon their arrival at Ellis Island, the immigrants were given food. “They were not used to just being given food,” said Max.
The Registry Room made an impression on 11-year-old Ezra Lichtenberg. It was there that people signed papers for the final steps to be able to live and work in America.
The wave of immigration that came through Ellis Island as well as other ports, including Baltimore, San Francisco, and Galveston, ended in 1924 with the passage of the National Origins Act. The legislation vastly reduced the number of immigrants arriving in America from Europe and completely excluded immigrants from Asia. The bill was sponsored to “preserve the racial type” of America.
Chloe Pollak found the day to be a fun and cool experience. The 11-year-old really enjoyed seeing the Statue of Liberty from the ferry. “The most fun was when we were in the ferry right in front of the Statue of Liberty. I think it is really cool that they were able to build it so high,” she said.
Shayna Sukinik also liked seeing the Statue of Liberty up close. “It was amazing,” she said of the 305-ft., 1-inch statue and pedestal.
“The Statue of Liberty represents freedom,” said Shoshanah Yares. She added that it was a gift from France and a peace offering.
Anna Fingerman learned that the torch currently on the Statue of Liberty was not the original. The torch needed to be replaced because it was eroding from the weather. “The original one was breaking,” she said.
The Ellis Island and Statue of Liberty trip was coordinated by the Katz JCC in Cherry Hill’s JTEEN856. It was sponsored by the Amy and Barney Kaplan Endowment Fund and The Jewish Community Foundation Inc.
“I think it is important to get kids out of the classroom and have experiences with history that are more tangible,” said Amy Kaplan. She said that Southern New Jersey is so close in proximity to so much Jewish history. “Experiential learning is the best. It’s also fun learning with their friends,” she added.
Barney Kaplan said that he hoped the trip would spark an interest in history. He and Amy have sponsored over 1,000 children and teens to take advantage of trips to Jewish museums, historical movies, and exhibits.
“We are the products of history. Understanding our past helps us understand ourselves,” said Barney Kaplan, adding that history created who we are today. “History plays a tremendous part in who we are as Jews,” he said.
“For me, the day was about more than visiting two historic landmarks. It was about helping teens connect with stories of freedom and belonging, courage and new beginnings, while reflecting on their own journeys and the communities they hope to build,” said Carl Abramowitz, director of Teen Engagement & Enrichment for the Katz JCC in Cherry Hill. Abramowitz said that he hopes to create more opportunities like this for local teens in the near future. “I am incredibly grateful to the Jewish Community Foundation, Inc. and the Amy & Barney Kaplan Endowment Fund for making this trip possible and for their continued investment in Jewish teen enrichment,” he said.