Identity Issues and Jews in Russia

Abstract

The difficulties of Jewish identity in Russia have a long and complicated history. Jews in Russia have encountered numerous hardships, including periods of tolerance and discrimination. For generations, Jews have lived on the region of modern-day Russia. They have a rich cultural and religious background, with Judaism playing an important role in shaping their identity. Throughout history, however, Jews in Russia have experienced persecution, pogroms, and limits on their rights and prospects. For Jews in Russia, the subject of identity frequently involves a fight between assimilation and preservation of their Jewish heritage. Some Jews have decided to integrate into Russian society by learning the Russian language, culture, and traditions. Others have attempted to keep their Jewish identity through upholding religious practices, cultural norms, and a sense of Jewish communal membership. It is crucial to emphasize that the lives and viewpoints of Jews in Russia vary, and generalizations may not convey the community's diversity and individual experiences. In Russia, Jewish identity difficulties represent a complex interaction of historical, cultural, religious, and societal influences that continue to impact their sense of self and belonging in Russian culture. This paper tries to investigate the historical, cultural and identical facets of the Jewish community from the pre-Soviet era to the Soviet and finally to the contemporary times. The paper will also explore anti-Jewish sentiments or Anti-Semitism and propaganda in the said periods, Jews relations with Christians, Soviet policies vis-à-vis the Jews and their movement across continents in search of safe havens.