A Street Peddler on the Lower East Side
New York, USA, early 20th century
Must Know
This street peddler is part of the well-known street fairs that were frequently held in the Lower East side neighbourhood of Manhattan, New York. These fair, such as the hester street fair to name a noble example, pushcart vendor selling anything from food to clothing or services.
New York’s Lower East side was the Jewish capital of the United States in early 20th century. The area has been a haven for Jewish immigrants looking to settle in the United States during and after World War II. The earliest jewish settlers of the neighbourhood, who mostly came from Eastern Europe, quickly established synagogues, Jewish stores and libraries – all Jewish owned and Jewish run.
Later Jewish immigrants coming to work in the Lower East side found it difficult to find work compared to other immigrants. Coming from the Russian Empire and larger Eastern Europe, antisemitic labour sanctions meant they arrived with a lack of skills and work experience. As a consequence, Jewish immigrant more often than not had to create work opportunities for themselves. This perhaps explains the growth of the area’s employment opportunities for immigrants as well as the growth of Jewish trade in the Lower East side. Many Jews worked in retail and even owned their own shops.
