Dependents' Education Multicultural Curriculum Guide Volume 5: Jewish Americans - Background Information

N.P.: Department of the Army Directorate, United States Dependents Schools, European Area, 1974. 10¼" x 7¾". Stapled printed thin card wrappers. Pp. [2], 34. Very good: all leaves three-hole punched, possibly as issued, corner crease and light stains to front wrapper.

This is a book focused on Jewish American history and culture. It was designed to help educators who taught the children of members of the United States military who were living overseas. Please see item 3, above, for background on the United States Dependents Schools, European Area (USDESEA).

The book opens with a letter from the USDESEA Deputy Director, explaining the goal of helping educators [i] "become more aware of the diverse cultural backgrounds of America's minorities, more sensitive to the problems each group has faced, and more actively involved in America's efforts to solve cultural problems."[/i] It features background information on the history of the Jewish people, including contributions to Columbus' famous voyage to America as well as the expulsion of Jews from Spain which occurred that same year. It has a small map illustrating early mentions of Jews in the American colonies, along with information and illustrations on later migrations of Jews from Germany and Eastern Europe, as well as the rise of Zionism and antisemitism in the United States. The abolitionist role played by Jewish Americans in the Civil War era was also discussed. The book also includes a chronology of Jewish history, information on Jewish holidays and festivals, and a bibliography.

A rare book documenting the employment of multicultural education for United States military dependents overseas and focused on Jewish American history. OCLC locates no copies.