The Grandees: America's Sephardic Elite

by Stephen Birmingham

Descendants of the original 23 Jewish families who arrived in New York in 1654, the Sephardic Jews began a tradition of wealth, pride & exclusiveness that continues to this day. Stephen Birmingham sheds light on this segment of Jewish society who viewed other Jews as peasants & ardently shunned all publicity. It's the story of over three centuries of power, achievement, scandal, folly, elegant lifestyles & sometimes flamboyant personalities--a story only Stephen Birmingham could tell with characteristic spellbinding skill.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Judaism, Jewish, New York, Social Science, Historical

368 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1971

Reviews

[George · Rating 4 out of 5]

My rating is relevant to my relationship to this book: genealogy is a hobby, and the families described in this book are in my tree.

If you are interested in the early Sephardic families of the US, this is an excellent book, and has enough stories to keep it interesting.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm truly enjoying this book. It's well-written and well-researched. I would have preferred copious footnotes, than simply contextual mentions of sources. There is a bibliography and index at the back of the book as well as some interesting portraits. For $5 on a street sale, it's been well-worth the money.

[Wayne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gives one an interesting perspective in re the some of the less-publicized cultural artifacts which shaped our founders. Provides a good timetable for assessing the history of Judaism in America, as well as interesting insights into the cultural differencesas (and similarities) between the Sephardim and the Ashkenazim, as well between the Jews and the Christians. A good read as usual with Birmingham's books, despite the fact that many Sephardic-Americans didn't like it.

[Kelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Little examined but fascinating niche of US history

The Grandees is an interesting book examining a little known niche of US history — the migration of wealthy Sephardic Jews in the earliest days of the American colonies and their subsequent ancestors. It examines the evolution of the arrival of first 23 Jewish families and their path to great wealth and prosperity. I have read a lot about wealthy Americans in history, but this book’s concept was a heretofore unexplored topic to me. Even though Stephen Birmingham wrote this book 50 years ago, it was still quite contemporary in tone and style. I did find the author detoured into gossip unnecessarily at times, which served as a distraction rather than furthering the historical story he wove. He also seemed to be rather anti-date in his writing style often not anchoring his accounts with years, which is rather curious for a historian. Still, I enjoyed the book and look forward to reading his other books about Jews in America.

[Julia · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

This was interesting but sometimes hard to follow. The author mentions many families of Sephardic background and I couldn't keep them straight. So the genealogy sections and the mentions of who married whom didn't hold my attention. I did like the short biographies of different people and how they fit in (or didn't) to U.S. history. Especially the biography of Uriah Levy, the first Jewish officer in the U.S. Navy. I also found the differences between Sephardim and Ashkenazim to be interesting.

[Emma · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book, while fascinating in topic, is very flawed. From little typos to very casual racism, I had many issues with this read.

[Steve Cran · Rating 5 out of 5]

In 1654 a boat full of refugees landed on the Dutch colony of New Amsterdam, now a days called New York. These 23 families  would comprise the original 23 families of the American.Sephardic Elite. Back in Spain they had lived a life of opulence, nobility and dignity. They had a higher culture than the other Jews of Europe. As the Christians reconquered Spain things started turning against the Jews. It was interesting to know that it was Jewish nobility that made the match between Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand. They were the royals who authored the inquisition but it was really a project of the Catholic Church. It is worth pondering as to whether the royals we're really that antisemitic. They could have been pressured by the Emperor of Europe or Catholic Church.

As Jews were forced to either convert to Catholicism,die or flee Spain. Many JEws went to Turkey and other Muslim countries. Other Jews made their way to Portugal and then finally to Holland.  From Holland the Jews would go to the Dutch colony of Brazil  Once the Portoguese retook Brazil the Jews would flee again. Enroute to other parts of the New World their ship would would be taken by pirates. THe captain would ransom them and then demand repayment once trey reached New Yoork. Mayor Stuyesavant would give them problems .

Among the families of Spanish Sephardim were the De Sola Pools, Nathans, Hendricks', Levi, Gomez and others. Together they formed an upper crust elite who stayed quietly amongst themselves and avoided publicity. THey married amongst each other and started their own synagogues. THey also played major roles in all aspect of AMerican life. Some were traders who brought slaves and rum to the New World. Some like Uriah Levy served valiantly in the US navy and still had to battle antisemitism. Many played a part in bringing furs to the colonies. Some bankrolled presidents.

When the  German Jews started to arrive they found Sepohardic synagogues already up and running. The Grandees did not always welcomed the German Jews with open arms , in fact they looked down on them at first. OF copuirse intermarriage would take it's toll and they would eventually intermarry with non Jews and German Jews. Eventually the restrictions would relax.

The book is an informative quick read that moves along like a well crafted novel. I managed to read the book in three days. If you are into Sephardic or American Jewish history take a look at this book.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although I found the book a little disjointed, it was a revelation to me that the Sephardic Jews originally came from Spain and Portugal where they were advisers and confidantes of the elite and royalty. Unless they converted to Christianity under Ferdinand and Isabella, they were subject to expulsion which drove many of them to northern Europe and Africa and some to Asia. Well before the American Revolution, about two dozen Sephardim immigrated to the colonies; this book traces their stories and those of their descendants.

[Rebecca · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's a nice tale and one that would have been great had not the majority of "facts" been fabrication of the author. It is difficult to find accurate documentation of the Conversos from the Sephardim. This book, however, contains no documentation other than common knowledge and popular myths.

[Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a history book about the Sephardic Jews, who were the first 23 families to come to America. I found it extremely interesting. I knew nothing about this topic...

[Mimi Pockross · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book of Stephen Birmingham's trilogy about New York's Jewish community and particularly about how Jews adapted to their new country and the contributions they made to America. The Grandees concerns the Sephardic Jew, the first group of Jews to arrive in America in 1654 and who left Spain in 1492 when the brutal Spanish Inquisition began to torture Jews or make them convert to Christianity. Birmingham is a journalist rather than an historian and being the same, I like how he singles out different characters and situations to tell his story rather than just enumerating historical events in a dry fashion. He spends a lot of time at the beginning talking about Aaron Lopez, a Sephardic trader who came to America from the West Indies who was, in fact a slave trader like so many other businessmen, Jew and non-Jew alike. My favorite story is the one about Uriah Kelly, a distant relative of the Lopezes who sought a career in the US Navy and was court-martialed six times because of his innovative and less mainstream views and actions. In between Birmingham fills in details of the lives of those Sephardim who planted themselves in Rhode Island, New Amsterdam (where Governor Peter Stuyvesant tried to make them return to their homeland), Charleston, South Carolina and New Orleans. The fact that the Jewish Sephardim kept tightly to themselves and often intermarried shows how eventually, that turned out to not be a positive choice. Mr. Birmingham's chronicle of New York Jews shows me how influential Jews were in the development of New York and the Eastern shore.

[Susan Baranoff · Rating 5 out of 5]

"In 1654, twenty-three Jewish families arrived in New Amsterdam (now New York) aboard a French privateer. They were the Sephardim, members of a proud orthodox sect that had served as royal advisors and honored professionals under Moorish rule in Spain and Portugal but were then exiled from their homeland by intolerant monarchs."

I had no idea! As a girl who grew up with 3 synagogues within walking distance, and as a married-in to a family of Ashkenazi descent, I have learned so much from this book! It has cleared up many questions I have had about the schism between Ashkenazim and Sephardim in the United States. I now have a much better understanding of the evolution of Judaism as a culture, not just in the U.S., but worldwide and throughout history.

You might think you know from Jewish, but Stephen Birmingham explains it all!

[Renee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a history of the 23 Sephardic Jews accidentally and serendipitously arriving in New York in 1654. At times it reads like a textbook with incredible detail about who married who, what their relationship was to the marriage partner, their history as relating to other Sephardic Jews, etc. Frankly, that much detail was too much and I bypassed it. Other times, it read like a novel or short story collection that was much more people focused and they were fascinating stories. I learned a lot about the beginning and growth of this group of people - who knew they originated from Spain and Portugal and that Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand issued an edict requiring all Jews to either convert or leave? I never thought of last names such as Gomez and Lopez as being Jewish. At times it is a bit ponderous, but well worth the effort and time commitment.

[Glen Chern · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Amazing History

Author Steephen Birmingham Presents A remarkable Account of The 1st Jews to. settle in America,, the Sephardim, Return to America From Spain and Portugal Following the Eviction edict King Ferdinand and queen Isabella of Spain In the 15th century.

Mister Birmingham Highlights several very prominent Sephardic Jews. I was particularly Impressed by the story of Uriah Levy, who was determined to rise to prominence in the US Navy. Mister levy Have a remarkable career in the navy despite being court martialed no less than 6 times. Other remarkab!e Sephardim included the Nathan sisters, Maud and Anne. Their story is well worth reading

I strongly recommend This book Especially To those of Jewish ancestry.

[Glen Chern · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a remarkable book about Sephardic Jews in America. Author Stephen Birmingham provides a comprehensive view of this amazing group of Jews, who were once respected and admired in Spain and Portugal. Thousands were driven out of Spain during the inquisition and thousands more were killed. The election elect imposed by queen, Isabella and king Ferdinand of Spain also triggered a mass departure of the Sephardim. Many of these people came to America in the 16th and 17th centuries and were the first Jews known to have come to America.

The author profiles several of the oldest families as well as many remarkable individuals. This is the book that is well worth reading, especially for those who are either Jewish or Jewish ancestry..

[Ron · Rating 4 out of 5]

In reading Stephen Birmingham's "The Grandees" I learned for the first time of the role that Sephardic Jewish immigration played in early American history. Forced from their centuries old life in Spain and Portugal by the Inquisition, these unique peoples fled first to Holland and then to 17th century New York where they became some of the most successful immigrants in American colonial history. This is a very well researched and written account of little known American lore.

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting book!

I learned many amazing historical facts about America and New York from this book. The Jewish immigrants who came during the Spanish Inquisition and their descendants lead incredible lives. They were responsible for so many firsts and important events. This book is a must read for any history nerd.

[Linda Lally · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are interested in the history of Jews as they moved around the world, fleeing from various forms of oppression, then this book about about the 23 founding families of the Jewish Sephardic Community in NYC will be a fun and informative read.
Well researched and easy to read with each chapter a specific topic and time period.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very thorough, at times a bit tedious with genealogy, history of the Sephardic Jews from Spain and Portugal. Until now, I had no idea about them. It seems most of the Jews I’ve read about are Ashkenazek. As a history lover, it gave quite interesting new angles to my understanding of history.

[Gretchen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting history of America's first Sephardim. I'm giving it 5 stars because it seemed to be an even-handed historical overview. I was captivated by this book. It gave me yet another perspective of one of my favorite cities and it's residents and cultural context.

[Suellen Ocean · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Pleasant Escape Into the Past

My interest in genealogy, led me to read this book. Not only was it informative but there were many entertaining stories. My understanding of American history has been enhanced.

[rosemary burch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Revelations about the Sephardim


Many of us do not know about the integration of jews in Spain before they were expelled. Well worth reading for historical and sociological minds.
It could be a bit more concise .

[Mattahhari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really interesting book on Sephardim. I don't think I'll ever look at a Nathan's hotdog the same ever again. :)

[Roz Baron · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed the chatty walk through history of Sephardim.

[Sunhawk · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not memorable, but interesting insights about clans and jealousy.

[Terri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very readable history of the Sephardic Jews of the United States.

[Nathan Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Insulated blood. //
An American drama: //
Unsung Sephardim

[Emg · Rating 2 out of 5]

Reads like someone asked him to write it, gave him access to papers and he jotted down what he thought was interesting.

[Kk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blue Light Special on Amazon 04/25/20 for $1.99

Wow very well researched & chocked full of facts that I will never remember.

Once upon a time, I worked in a job that required keeping Kosher information for international/ domestic shipments. Fun job but not if you are a female. I was struck often how some organizations wouldn't accept certificates from other organizations because of the certifying rabbi or his Kashrut organization.

The discrimination in the field staggered me, especially in light of the fact the holocaust reduced the population so drastically. This book didn't answer those questions exactly but it does shed light on the mindset of that particular branch.

[rivka]

Read his other two, but never read this one somehow or other. I should.