Occam’s Beard,

Some consideration should be given to the support framework for Jewish immigrants extant in New York during the late 1800′s. A high number of those drawn to social work in those days were definitely drawn to the work by exposure to socialist concepts. As Yiddish speakers, the social workers were often the first Americans that a Jewish immigrant had contact with, the first to explain the American system and the first to teach the newly arrived how to speak English. It is entirely unremarkable that immigrants proved to be easily indoctrinated given the gratitude that many must have felt for the reception that they received. The existing Jewish community in New York in the mid to late 1800′s had one of the very best networks in place for new immigrants. The community system complemented the social worker system and provided reinforcement for the indoctrination. This is not the sole explanation but it does provide a rationale for how socialism became so widespread in the Jewish community.

Other immigrant groups were indoctrinated as Democrats in the same manner by the political machines in the cities where they arrived. It’s wise to remember that the “social worker” in many instances was employed as a reward in the spoils system and owed obligation to the party above all else.