... and 1924, over 20 million Eastern Europeans emigrated to America with the hopes of escaping political persecution and to pursue a more prosperous future. What they found upon arrival at Ellis Island was difficult times; a time when the Yiddish Quarter was going through what Cahan describes as " a long season of enforced idleness and distress" (90). This was a season that filled the people ... , curbstone, gutter, roadway, and everyone alike using the street for overflow" (107). There is a commingling of three generations flowing together through the streets, talking and working and learn...

• Word Count: 1104
• Approx Pages: 4
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School