The Jews of the Soviet Union: The History of a National Minority (Cambridge Russian, Soviet and Post-Soviet Studies, Series Number 62)

This is a comprehensive and topical history of the Jews in the Soviet Union and is based on firsthand documentary evidence and the application of a pioneering research method into the fate of national minorities. Within a four-part chronological framework, Professor Pinkus examines not only the legal-political status of the Jews, and their reciprocal relationship with the Soviet majority, but also the impact of internal economic, demographic and social processes upon the religious, educational and cultural life of Soviet Jewry. A second layer of analysis describes in depth the complex linkages between the Jews of the Soviet Union, the Jews in other diasporas and the state of Israel itself. The Jews of the Soviet Union marks a major contribution to the historiography and social analysis of its subject and provides a worthy companion to Professor Pinkus's acclaimed documentary study The Soviet Union and the Jews 1948-1967.

this Is The First Comprehensive And Up-to-date History Of The Jews In The Soviet Union And Is Based On First-hand Documentary Evidence And The Application Of A Pioneering Research Method Into The Fate Of National Minorities. Within A Four-part Chronological Framework, Professor Pinkus Examines Not Only The Legal-political Status Of The Jews, And Their Reciprocal Relationship With The Soviet Majority, But Also The Impact Of Internal Economic, Demographic And Social Processes Upon The Religious, Educational And Cultural Life Of Soviet Jewry. A Second Layer Of Analysis Describes In Depth The Complex Linkages Between The Jews Of The Soviet Union, The Jews In Other Diasporas And The State Of Israel Itself. The Jews Of The Soviet Union Marks A Major Contribution To The Historiography And Social Analysis Of Its Subject And Provides A Worthy Companion To Professor Pinkus's Acclaimed Documentary Study The Soviet Union And The Jews 1948-1967.

publishers Weekly

in This ``authoritative History Of Soviet Jewry,'' The Author Traces The Remarkable Blossoming Of Jewish Culture In The U.s.s.r. Despite Inbred, Institutionalized Anti-semitism. ``pinkus Re-creates The Precarious History Of The Soviet Jews More Fully And Vividly Than Previous Writers,'' Commented Pw. (jan.)

Ch. 1 (pp. 1-48) deals with the period before 1917, discussing Church-inspired anti-Jewish policies from the 15th century onwards, the ban on Jewish settlement up to the 18th century, and restrictions on the Jews under Tsarist rule, culminating in a series of pogroms. Distinguishes three stages in Soviet Jewish history, with a section on antisemitism in each period. During 1917-1939, "the years of construction, " antisemitism was officially outlawed, yet it persisted due to a deep-rooted tradition and the need for an outlet for resentment against the regime. During 1939-1953, "the years of destruction, " Soviet Jews were victims of the Nazi extermination policy and Stalin's campaign against "Jewish cosmopolitanism" and Zionism. In the post-Stalin period, 1953-1983, antisemitic propaganda appeared in the mass media and in literature, expressing traditional stereotypes as well as anti-Zionism. Mentions also discrimination in education and employment. (From the Bibliography of the Vidal Sassoon International Center for the Study of Antisemitism) The Jews Of Russia: Historical Background -- The Jews Of The Soviet Union: The Years Of Construction, 1917-1939 -- The Years Of Destruction, 1939-1953 -- The Post-stalin Period, 1953-1983 Benjamin Pinkus. Includes Index. Bibliography: P. 368-379. The remote past of the Russian Jews, like that of the Russians themselves and of other people of that land, is uncertain.