A Jewish Holy Land in Texas? Immigration, Assimilation, and Making Land Holy with Rachel Cockerell

A Jewish Holy Land in Texas? Immigration, Assimilation, and Making Land Holy with Rachel Cockerell

Straight White American Jesus · 2025-07-07

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In this episode of Straight White American Jesus, Brad welcomes Rachel Cockerell, author of Melting Point, for a conversation about a little-known chapter in American and Jewish history: the Galveston Movement.

More than a century ago, 10,000 Russian Jews immigrated to Texas through a coordinated effort led in part by Rachel’s great-grandfather and inspired by Zionist thinker Israel Zangwill. Rachel shares the personal journey that led her to uncover this buried history and write Melting Point, which explores themes of migration, memory, and identity.

Together, Brad and Rachel examine how this movement reframes common narratives about Jewish immigration, the American frontier, and what it means to seek a homeland. They discuss the spiritual dimensions of migration, the complexity of assimilation, and the ongoing relevance of these themes in the context of current immigration debates.

This episode weaves together history, personal legacy, and timely questions about belonging, borders, and the meaning of “home” in America.

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Straight White American Jesus

An in-depth examination of the culture and politics of Christian Nationalism and Evangelicalism by two ex-evangelical ministers-turned-religion professors. If you have ever wondered what social and historical forces led white evangelicals to usher Donald Trump into the White House this is the show for you. As former insiders and critical scholars of religion, Dan Miller and Bradley Onishi have a unique perspective on the Religious Right. Guests have included Chrissy Stroop, R. Marie Griffith, Janelle Wong, Randall Balmer, Katherine Stewart, and many others.

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