History of the Jews --- Chaim Potok

[Theja]

In the early years of American history, many English people came as 'indentured' servants. Because of poverty and lack of jobs, they could not afford to pay for shipping and expenses. So they would agree with the sending/sponsoring company to work exclusively for a term of about 7 (or any) years in exchange for travel and expenses --- all their earnings in the new world (America) would go the the company in England. After the agreed years they are free to earn for themselves.

Some of these people were nonreligious and only looking for a better life. So in the Mayflower document, the Puritans termed them 'strangers' -- saints and strangers.

Some of these indentured servants later misbehaved with native Indians and brought bad reputation and suspicion among the people. Otherwise the Puritans only wanted to coexist with the Indians in peace and respect; and if possible, to even bring them to the Christian faith.

The Jews were expelled from England for several centuries (1290 -- 1650s). During the time when Oliver Cromwell (a Protestant) took over as the Protector of the Nation by deposing the English King (1649-1659), he welcomed the Jews back to England -- the motive being the expertise of the Jews in trade and commerce, and England needed them to prosper.

When the Jews came to America, they found that they could live anywhere they wish and they could bring their case to the court and find justice. That is the reason they didn't see the need to band together like in Europe and Russia. And later on, even to this day, the Jews brought their cases against the world through the American justice system.

In a way, America has become the modern promised land. People of any faith can establish themself here.