FROM RECIFE TO New AMSTERDAM How a War in Brazil Helped Shape Jewish History York

A remarkable true story of courage, faith, and a journey that helped shape New York.In the 1600s, Jewish families fleeing persecution in Europe crossed the Atlantic in search of safety and religious freedom. Some found a new home in Recife, Brazil, where a thriving Jewish community grew under Dutch rule.But when Portugal regained control of Recife in 1654, many families were forced to leave once again. Among them was a small group of twenty-three Jewish refugees whose difficult journey eventually brought them to New Amsterdam - the city we now know as New York.Through beautiful illustrations and accessible storytelling, young readers discover the remarkable history of the Jewish community of Recife, Kahal Zur Israel, the struggle for religious freedom, and the beginnings of Jewish life in New York.From Recife to New Amsterdam introduces children to an important chapter of Brazilian, Jewish, and American history while celebrating courage, resilience, family, faith, and the hope of finding a place to call home.Perfect for families, classrooms, libraries, homeschoolers, and young readers interested in Jewish history, immigration, Brazil, colonial America, and the history of New York City.