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Published byPhyllis Palmer Modified over 9 years ago
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E Pluribus Omaha A look at Ethnic Omaha
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1890 to World War I Immigrants come to Omaha from Eastern and Northern Europe Germany Czechoslovakia (Bohemia) Jews
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Why come to Omaha? Work - meat packing, rail road, agriculture Sense of Community Free land! Why live in the same part of the city? Safety Families Similar living traits (food, language, dress, etc.)
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Coming to the new country When you first arrived, you were set up to live above an ethnic business You lived there until you made enough money to move out and buy your own place Then a new immigrant came in to live and so on…..
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Jewish Community Centered around 24 th and Lake Streets in North Omaha Moved west as the wealth went west in the city New center on 132 nd between Pacific and Dodge Streets (JCC) Important people – Jonas Brandeis, Rose Blumkin Key Contributions: Establishment of a “financial district”
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Brandeis and the Titanic Emil Brandies was headed home from Europe early He gave up his seat in a life boat to a young mother and her child He was found floating in the water after 3 days Only identification was a gold pocket watch & cigarette case w/ his initials
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The gold pocket watch of Emil Brandeis & an inventory of his belongings (Durham Western Heritage Museum)
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Brandeis Family Plot
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German Community South Omaha (just south of Rosenblatt) German American Society now is on 120 th Street between Center and I Streets Important people: Fred Krug, Peter Iler, and the Kountze Brothers Strong emphasis on education and religion (Lutheran) Schools were closely tied to Lutheran churches (Preschools, Elementary)
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Irish Community First Immigrants to move to Omaha in great numbers Settled in downtown & in the area of I-80 and I-480 meet (Sheelytown) Key Contributions: Catholic Religion Important people: Edward & John Creighton, Patrick and Shamus Sheely, Father Edward Flanagan, John Mulhull
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Black Community North 24 th and Lake Streets Moved to Omaha during WW I to escape poverty and racism Key Contributions: Religion (Baptists, African Methodist Church-AMC) Important people: Ernie Chambers, Bob Gibson, Gale Sayers, Ahman Green, Malcolm Little
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Czech (Bohemian) Community 13 th and Martha Streets Little Bohemia Key Contributions: Food, opened sports programs in their “Sokal” halls Important people: Roman Hruska (Neb. Senator)
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Italian Community Little Italy/Sicily (South of the Durham Western Heritiage Museum) on 10 th street Key Contributions: Food establishments/restaurants Important people: Caniglia, Orsi, Rotella
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Polish Community Just south of downtown, in Sheelytown and Sarpy County (Papillion) Key Contributions: Labor
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Hispanic Community (Mexican) South Omaha 13 th and Vinton Streets Key Contributions: Latin celebrations, Food, Religion (Our Lady of Guadalupe Church is the focal point) Important people: Edward “Babe” Gomez, Medal of Honor recipient
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Edward “Babe” Gomez Born in South Omaha in 1932 He was the 3 rd of 12 children His 5 foot 2 inch frame made him a target to bullies At 17, eager to see the world, he joined the USMC Reserve and was sent to Korea in 1950 Wounded after only being there 2 months He was killed protecting his platoon mates from a Chinese hand grenade, giving his life for others He was awarded the Medal of Honor, the highest medal for bravery
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Edward “Babe” Gomez
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New Immigrants to Omaha The Sudanese Fleeing ethnic violence in Sudan The cultural center is 30 th & California streets, by the TAC building
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