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Immigration Information
The largest groups of immigrants from Slovenia were during the pre-World War I period. Because of the anti-Slavic prejudice that existed then, it is difficult to determine the exact number of Slovenians that entered the U.S. during that time. They were forced to be labeled as Austrians, Croatians, or various other ethnicities. Due to this incorrect labeling, it is hard to determine the exact number of Slovenians in the U.S. today. There is probably around 200,000 to 300,000 Slovenian-Americans. Although many no longer speak their mother tongue, they still consider themselves as Slovenian.
Major Religions and Beliefs
For the most part, most of the Slovenian immigrants have adhered to their religious roots. They even built their own churches and other religious institutions all over America. Recently, however, due to the changing nature of neighborhoods, the relocation of Slovenian population to the suburbs, increased Americanization and secularization of the younger generation. With the lack of Slovenian priests, it has been difficult for Slovenian parishes to survive. There are also some Slovenian Protestants that have continued to use the Slovenian dialect in interaction, its services, and its press. Other Slovenian Americans worship at other American Catholic parishes, and an extremely small number have joined other religions. Due to geographic and social mobility and intermarriages, people began to associate with other Catholic churches.
History, Traditions and Culture
In many of the Slovenian communities, some of the major customs and holidays have survived, such as the old St. Nick’s feast, and a public celebration of St. Martin’s feast. There are also the community concerts and festivals, plays and sports events, bazaars and exhibits, benefit brunches, lunches and suppers that keep the Slovenian communities cohesive.
Academic Organizations
Society for the Slovene Studies
Society for Slovene Studies
Suzzallo Library, Box 352900
University of Washington
Seattle, WA 98195
mbiggins@u.washington.edu
http://www.arts.ualberta.ca/~ljubljan/sss.html
Consulates
Slovenian Embassy in Washington, D.C.
1525 New Hampshire Ave. NW
Washington, DC 20036
202.667.5363 (phone)
202.667.4563 (fax)
Slovenian Consulate in NYC
600 Third Avenue, 21st floor
New York, NY 10016
212.370.3006 (phone)
212.370.3581 (fax)
Associations in the U.S.
Slovenian Women’s Union of America
SWUA Organization
431 N. Chicago Street
Joliet, IL 60432
tel: 815-727-1926
swuhome at swua.org
http://www.swua.org/index.html
American Mutual Life Association (SDZ)
19424 South Waterloo Road
Cleveland, Ohio 44119
tel: (216) 531-1900
fax: (216) 531-8123
American Slovene Polka Foundation
Shore Cultural Centre
291 E. 22nd St.
Euclid, Ohio 44123
tel: (216) 261-3263
American Slovenian Catholic Union (KSKJ)
2439 Glenwood Avenue
Joliet, Illinois 60435.
tel: (815) 741-2001.
Progressive Slovene Women of America (PSWA)
19808 Arrowhead Avenue
Cleveland, Ohio 44110
tel: (216) 481-0830
Slovene National Benefit Society (SNPJ)
247 West Allegheny Road
Imperial, Pennsylvania 15126
tel: (800) 843-7675
fax: (412) 695-1555
snpj@snpj.com
http://www.snpj.com
Slovenian Women's Union
431 North Chicago Street
Joliet, Illinois 60432
tel: (815) 727-1926 |
