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We analyze linked U.S. Census data to examine the intergenerational mobility of Jewish immigrants in the first half of the 20th century, using Yiddish as a marker for Jewish origin. The sons of Jewish immigrants outperformed those of non-Jewish immigrants and non-immigrant white Americans, with the occupational status of the fathers playing a lesser role for Jews. Education was key, yet a residual ‘Jewish factor’ contributed equally to success in earnings, entrepreneurship, and occupational status. We document the roles of network effects, family size, investment strategies, geographical mobility, persecution, and ethnic capital as possible channels, with ethnic capital emerging as the most convincing explanation.

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