Hey Lew,
when I was in NYC last summer, I checked out both
Adorama and
B&H -- I found it interesting that both places are run by Jews. Do you have any idea as to why the camera market is owned primarily by them? Btw, this is not meant in an offensive way. They were super friendly and helpful to me. It just struck me as strange seeing them all over the place in their traditional clothing and "hairdo." Also, they were the only people in America that could pronounce my name properly though they were as American sounding as the next guy I met in the city.
Not just Jews but very, very, very Orthodox Jews who don't hide their beliefs but cling to it even if they look different.
Jews ended up in certain professions both traditionally and historically because of the way they were treated in the countries they lived. They were forbidden to own land in many countries and so upward mobility economically meant they gravitated to occupations that didn't require land and that they were
allowed to practice. Anywhere they were, the Jews had to find a niche they could fill that dominant peoples allowed. Because lending money was 'forbidden' to Christians, they became bankers. Jews had been spread across the known world and yet they hew to their own customs so they were easily located as trading partners and they became traders. When being a doctor was a low class job, they used medicines and knowledge from other countries to become doctors. They were musicians and entertainers, thus the impact of Jews in the American theater and the movie business. (a bitter-sweet joke - why all the world's best violinists were Jews and the answer was that you couldn't easily carry a piano when you were running from the Cossaks.)
The tradition of study and learning started after the destruction of the Second Temple (the center of Jewish religion and ritual); in a world were illiteracy was common, Jews needed to become literate to continue to study and practice Judaism. Literacy is what helped the religion survive and kept us from becoming assimilated into the surrounding cultures. Literacy also happens to be a skill necessary for economic development.
As perpetual outsiders-..... Jews have learned to be cautious, even distrustful of others, and have no problem questioning authority and the status quo. The perennial side-eye that Jews give to the world allows us to see things through a unique lens. If you're comfortable questioning what is seen as 'truth,' and pushing the boundaries of analysis, then you're probably going to stumble upon discoveries a bit more frequently, and be more open to trying something un-orthodox
Without knowing the specific real answer, my guess would be that the owners saw a potential niche in the Internet/electronics/cameras. As a very religious group they are bound very tightly by the 613 principles of Biblical law, thus they had very specific requirements for work time flexibility and behavior, so, as smart guys selling to a smart audience, they thought that the concept of terrific organization, great customer service and excellent prices would make up for the inconvenience of not being open Friday nights and Saturday.
So, you have
B&H and
Adorama.
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