Mosaic - Jewish Refugees

At least 500 Jewish refugees arrived in San Francisco in 1939 and 1940, fleeing the Nazi regime in Europe. Many had taken the Trans-Siberian Railroad from Moscow to Vladivostok, which took up to four weeks. From there, they would journey to Japan and then the United States by steamship.

About 25% of Jewish arrivals were detained Angel Island. Russian and Jewish experiences on Angel Island were very similar to their counterparts on Ellis Island. Fewer than two percent were deported. Those who were deported were often deemed “Likely to Become a Public Charge”—in other words, they had few financial resources.

Organizations in the US like the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society helped new arrivals with visas and resettlement.

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Photo Caption: “IN THE LAND OF THE FREE—Jewish refugees from Nazi Germany who, after months of wondering, recently arrived in the United States via Japan. They landed in San Francisco.” Dated September 1, 1940.