Discussion Questions
- What is going on in this picture? What do you see that makes you say that?
- In some cases, the owners of factories that exploited workers and treated laborers unfairly were Jewish. This was the case in the infamous Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire, as well as in the case of this particular cloak shop strike. How (if at all) does this change your understanding of Jewish involvement in labor struggles?
- One of the signs held by a striking worker contains a quote from the Jewish philanthropist Jacob Schiff. What does Schiff say about the responsibility of manufacturers (the heads of factories)? What do you think this meant to the strikers? Do you agree with Schiff?
- Do you think it is important to learn about Jewish injustice as well as Jewish support for social justice? Why or why not?
- Can you think of any other examples of times when some Jews were working against justice, rather than for it?
