Jacob (Zvi) Bobrov's Certificate of Naturalization

1916 Certificate of Naturalization

Prior to the large immigration of Eastern European Jews to America in the late 19th- and early 20th-century, religiously observant Jews were afraid that they would not be capable of following all of the mitzvot (commandments) in the new land. In particular, they were not certain they could follow the laws of kashrut (dietary laws). As the prospect for a Jewish life in America strengthened more observant Jews came to America; among them were many certified shochets (ritual slaughterers) to ensure that the commandments could be upheld. One of them was Zvi Bobrov, who emigrated from Russia with his wife and son in the early 20th century. He was granted a Certificate of Naturalization by the State of New York in 1916.