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A second wave of immigration began in the 1890's with the arrival of Jews fleeing persecution in Eastern Europe. The males in these families arrived first and made their livings primarily as peddlars. Having saved some money they would then send back to Europe for their wives, children and other family members. Others would return to Europe, take a bride from the "old country" and then return to Saint John. Eastern European immigration had ended by 1930 due to restrictions imposed by the Canadian government on types and numbers of immigrants allowed in to Canada. Jews were among the restricted groups. The women in this group relied initially on the support of the women who preceded them to help them establish themselves in their new environment, before branching out on their own or even replacing these women in leadership roles.
The women in these early days were hard workers - truly helpmates to their husbands who were becoming merchants, serving customers, raising large families, maintaining a proper Jewish home and looking to serve the community at large both within and without the Jewish ghetto in the city's North End. Their service included all of the Jewish community, but over time extended in the general Saint John community and was focused on the social welfare of the communities they served.

5

It was rare in the early days of the community to see young women sent on to higher education, but this was changing by the 1950s and many contemporary women have embarked on professional careers in cities throughout Canada and the United States. Early educational efforts directed women towards traditional careers in nursing or teaching, but those who followed have followed more diverse paths.
This is their story.