ALLIANCE

ALLIANCE is an original, full-length documentary that uncovers a little-known but significant chapter of American history: the founding of a unique social experiment—the Alliance Colony. In 1882, forty-three families fled the persecution of a tyrannical Russian czar and crossed the ocean to establish a farming community in the desolate fields of southern New Jersey. What began as a daring endeavor became the most successful Jewish agricultural settlement in the United States. Produced and directed by Susan Kehnemui Donnelly and filmed by Ted Salins, both descendants of the Colony’s original settlers, ALLIANCE is a remarkable story of courage, perseverance, and family set against the backdrop of immigration.

Have you ever heard of Jewish immigrant farmers? Probably not. Cities, tenements, and busy factories come to mind—but Jews in America, tilling the soil, working side by side with their gentile neighbors, and struggling to educate their children? That’s a different story.

The Alliance Colony was a truly unique immigration story. Founded by members of the Russian Jewish Am Olam movement, which championed a "return to the soil," the settlers arrived in southern New Jersey to break ground in the harsh, sandy soil. Though the conditions were nearly impossible, these immigrants saw it as their chance for a new life.

The journey was anything but easy, and the Alliance Colony itself was an improbable vision. The new settlers weren’t farmers—Jews had been forbidden to own land in the old country, so most arrived in America as carpenters, grocers, tailors, and salesmen. Countless obstacles and disputes with their philanthropic sponsors left the settlers in a precarious position. Yet, after years of struggle, the community began to thrive, eventually becoming a model for similar agricultural colonies. The “Golden Years” saw the expansion of the colony and a significant impact on antisemitism in America. Over time, these settlers laid down roots, worked the land, and built a lasting legacy for their families.

The vast network of Alliance descendants around the world, some of whom are featured in the film, are passionate about tracing their family histories and sharing the inspiring stories of their ancestors—stories that resonate today.

Narrated by the director, whose great-great-grandparents were among the Colony’s founders, ALLIANCE weaves an epic narrative that spans both Jewish and American history. As the only modern documentary to explore the origins of the Alliance Colony, it uncovers how these settlers became a beacon of hope for future immigrants, while their experiences offer both parallels and contrasts to the immigrant journey today, as well as the contemporary Jewish farming movement. Featuring over 450 archival images and interviews with experts, descendants, and local farmers, the film sparks meaningful conversations on social justice. By sharing the cultural heritage and aspirations of these pioneering settlers, ALLIANCE encourages viewers to reflect on today’s challenges and our collective responsibility to one another.

Today, a walk through the cemetery where generations of Alliance Colony ancestors are buried allows visitors to hear the echoes of their stories. Through this documentary, the heartening history and enduring legacy of the Alliance Colony will live on.