Jewish communities in the Indiana Dunes

Hoosier Jewish Stories: a Indiana Jewish Historical Society Podcast

A historical account of the development of Jewish communities in the Indiana Dunes Country region from 1830 to 1950. The author examines the early settlements of Jewish settlers in the area, including LaPorte, Michigan City, Valparaiso, Crown Point, and Lowell. The primary focus of the paper is on Hammond, Indiana, the first of the four industrial cities to emerge in the region. The author provides a detailed history of the community's growth, its Jewish organizations, and the prominent Jewish residents who helped shape the city. Additionally, the text explores the challenges faced by Jewish communities during the interwar period, including anti-Semitism and the rise of the Ku Klux Klan. The text concludes with an analysis of the "American generation" of Jews who emerged after World War II and the impact of the Holocaust on the region.