Rudd, Hynda

Although a number of Jews passed through Utah with the migrants to California and Oregon, the permanent Jewish community grew slowly as it consisted mostly of young, unmarried men engaged in merchandising ventures. They found acceptance in Utah where members of the predominant Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (L.D.S. Church) viewed the Jewish role as one clearly defined through scripture. So long as they did not show themselves to be virulently anti-Mormon, they were left to live and work peacefully, often with the express assistance and co-operation of the L.D.S. Church leaders.

The first permanent Jewish settlers, Julian Gerson Brooks and his wife Fanny, arrived in 1853. They established a successful millinery shop and, a year later, a bakery. That same year, 1854, marked the visit of the prominent Jewish artist-photographer, Solomon Nunes Carvalho to Utah. Carvalho did not remain long, as he wished to rejoin the remains of his party--the Fremont expedition--in California. He did, however, leave a valuable record of the people and settlements of Utah.

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