David Naar Research Paper

One example of how the Sephardic Jews fared in the New Country is story of David Naar in the provincial city of Trenton, NJ. Rabbi S. Joshua Kohn, writing in the 1964 American Jewish Historical Quarterly found that, traces a Sephardic family who made a difference. In 1839, Dr. Daniel Levy Maduro Peixotto, of New York City became co-editor of the Trenton Emporium and True American. He became editor of the newspaper and practiced medicine until his return to New York in 1853. In that same year, 1853, David Naar, a brother-in –law of Dr. Peixotto, bought the newspaper, Daily True American (formerly The Daily Emporium and True American). Living outside of Elizabeth, New Jersey (Wheatsheaf,) he had been elected as a lay Judge in the Common Pleas

Already he had served as a delegate in the 1844 Constitutional Convention where he made sure that there were no restrictions to elected office precluded by religion. David Naar played a very important part in the civic and cultural life of Trenton, in the political life of New Jersey and in national politics as a staunch Democrat. As owner and editor of the Daily True American, he became a spokesperson of the Democratic Party in New Jersey. He edited the newspaper for more than half a century, from 1853 to 1905. His nephew, Moses D. Naar, and by David 's son, Joseph L. Naar continued until the True American went out of business. In 1908, a son of Joseph L. Naar, Henry Kelsey Naar, was treasurer of the newspaper. David Naar was elected a Delegate from Essex County to the State Constitutional Convention that was called into session on May 14, 1844, at Trenton and finished its work on June 28, 1844. The new constitution was confirmed by popular vote in August, 1844. David Naar was a member of the committee on the new bill of rights and played a prominent part in its deliberations and conclusions. Previously Roman Catholics had been denied the franchise and office-holding. He was especially articulate in the deliberations and helped to abolish all religious tests as a qualification for office or public

German-Jewish Immigration – 1820-1880 This section will explore the impact of German Jewish immigration from 1820 to 1880; its business acumen; its founding Jewish institutions; its business success and it assistance to their later arriving Russian brethren. In 1814-15, the majority of German Jews sought refuge in the United States coming from regions in the throes of political and economic changes following the Congress of Vienna in 1814-15, ending the Napoleonic Wars. Accounting for only a tiny pro¬portion of the overall German migration to the United States (2 to 3 percent of the more than 1.2 million Germans who arrived between 1820 and 1855), they settled in urban areas and applied their skills to commerce; not agriculture. Single male migrants predominated among Jews, whereas German Gentiles were more likely to travel as families. Their aim was to become emancipated; not assimilated. See Jonathan D. Sarna and Jonathan Golden. In 1848-39, liberal revolutions broke out all over Europe. The new middle class desired increased political freedom, liberal state policies, democracy, nationalism, and fewer censorship