People of the Jewish faith first arrived in the Americas in October 1492, when Christopher Columbus' three ships landed in the Caribbean. Fleeing the Spanish Inquisition, other Jews soon followed. This book traces their journey from the early days in America and their participation in the Revolutionary and Civil Wars, to the impact of World War II and the Holocaust on Jewish life in America. Readers will learn about the various ways Judaism is practiced in the U.S. as well as the contributions Jews have made to American society - in particular their impact on governmental agencies, philanthropic organizations, banking and investment, the performing arts, and sports. Readers will learn about Jewish religious traditions such as bar and bat mitzvahs, holidays such as Yom Kippur and Hanukkah, holy texts such as the Torah and the Talmud, and American places of interest such as New York City's Lower East Side and the Holocaust Museum. In addition, this book looks at the biggest issues facing Jewish Americans today and their challenges for the future.