Surf Report

Fleeing persecution and murder, Jews began to arrive in the nascent North American colonies in 1654, just 34 years after the Mayflower’s landing. Here, they found a land more welcoming of religious diversity, but also one that expected assimilation and conformity.

The Jews’ dilemma--how to melt into the melting pot while holding on to tradition--would be shared by every religious and ethnic group to arrive on these shores. And in unexpected ways, this common struggle would unify the disparate people who came together as the United States of America.

This is one of the more intriguing themes weaving through “They Came for Good: A History of Jews in the United States,” being shown in one-hour segments tonight and Tuesday at 10 p.m. on KCET.

To relate this story, writer Manya Starr and director Amram Nowak pair letters, diaries and documents with period drawings and paintings, and turn to present-day historians for comment. Though the result is somewhat scattershot and rather too hurried, it documents the Jews’ involvement in many significant developments in the young nation’s history.

The filmmakers take special pride in influential financiers (Haym Solomon), manufacturers (Levi Strauss) and creative figures (Emma Lazarus), but they also acknowledge Jews’ participation in some troubling practices, including slavery.

Sadly, though, tonight’s program slights another group when it states that settlers came to an “empty continent, unhampered by historical legacy.” Perhaps KCET can change that perception by programming a series about Native Americans.

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“Present at the Creation: 1654-1820” will be shown tonight at 10 on KCET and “Taking Root: 1820-1880” will be shown Tuesday at 10 p.m. Both programs are rated TV-G (suitable for all ages).

Surf Report

SPORTS

No rest for the Dodgers, who play the Giants at Dodger Stadium (7 p.m. FSN2).

SPECIALS

“Darwin’s Dangerous Idea” is the first installment of “Evolution” (8 p.m. KCET), PBS’s eight-hour documentary that continues through Thursday.

MOVIES

Elvis haunts a Memphis hotel in director Jim Jarmusch’s “Mystery Train” (9 p.m. IFC), and in Jarmusch’s “Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai” (9 p.m. TMC) a hit man follows the Japanese warrior code.

SERIES

Rhea Perlman guest stars on the season premiere of “Becker” (9:30 p.m. CBS).

TV Programming

Because of unfolding national events, network, cable and local television programming schedules were uncertain at press time.