In 70 C.E. the Temple of Jerusalem was burned to the ground. From then until the creation of the State of Israel in 1948, Jews did not have a place to call home. During that two millennia-long exile, Jewish people have been looking for suitable places to lay their heads. As a minority community, Jews have been on the receiving end of immigration policies and perceptions that stretch between acceptance and severe antagonism. Often, Jews simply had to choose the best of myriad bad options. While the United States has never been free of antisemitic sentiments, the country has long been considered a relatively safe haven for the Jewish community. Seeking respite from oppression and the opportunity to live in peaceful community with others, many modern Jews have attempted to assimilate while maintaining a sense of autonomy. We show here the stories of one person who ultimately failed to find the security that they were pursuing, others who successfully fled from persecution, and still more who helped build safe spaces for others in need of a place to call home.
