VAULT 48: JUDAISM PRESERVATION EXPERIMENTAL VAULT
LOCATION: Montauk, New York, United States
SUMMARY: Co-founded by the government of Israel, Vault 48 is a Vault intended to preserve the legacy and heritage of the Jewish people in the event of a nuclear apocalypse while simultaneously observing their long-term interactions with non-Jewish Vault members in the context of an underground community. Only members of the Jewish faith were permitted to pre-register to enter the Vault; however, unique among Vault-Tec Vaults, security guards were instructed to allow unregistered civilians to enter on the day of the apocalypse. The Vault housed a maximum capacity of 1000 persons, but only 500 were permitted to register ahead of time. General admission began in January 2076, with most inhabitants having lived in the Vault for at least several months by October 2077.
On 23 Oct 2077, approximately 700 civilians were admitted into the Vault, making the Jewish community a minority. The Vault 48 Overseer reported that, while this initially created significant tension, a compromise was eventually reached which allowed most Vault members to peacefully co-exist with one another. Longstanding traditions (such as the non-working Saturday) were maintained and made universal for all Vault residents, but freedom of religion was guaranteed.
Researchers have concluded that: the period of rationing made necessary by the Vault's overpopulation fostered a sense of community and solidarity among Vault residents and was a significant contributing factor in the Vault's practices of religious tolerance.
In 2101, approximately 250 residents decided to leave the Vault and found a nearby community, the settlement of New Montauk. This community continues to trade with Vault 48, and many gentile residents eventually chose to settle in New Montauk; as of 2288, 75% of remaining Vault 48 residents are Jewish. Most residents are strongly devoted to their mission of preservation and consider the long-term survival of Vault 48 to be divine providence.
Researchers have concluded that: the Israeli government's insistence on interfering in construction likely played a significant role in Vault 48's survival. While all of New York City was almost completely destroyed, the eastern settlements of Long Island were far enough away from ground zero that they were able to survive and produce new post-apocalyptic communities. Vault 48 may have failed had it been located in Manhattan as originally intended, given the high levels of radiation residents would have been exposed to once Vault 48 was opened.