Jews in the Soviet Union: A History: After Stalin, 1953-1967, Volume 5

The book "Jews in the Soviet Union" offers a comprehensive history of Soviet Jewish society from 1917 to 1967, drawing on rare access to documents from the Soviet archives. It explores the impact of historic events such as the demise of Joseph Stalin, the Six-Day War, and the "thaw" period of Nikita Khrushchev on Soviet Jews, who formed the second-largest Jewish population in the world at the time. The book also highlights the factors driving emigration and dissent and the achievements of Jews who attained a high standard of living and rose to esteemed positions in various segments of the Soviet elite.

Format: Hardback
Length: 416 pages
Publication date: 16 December 2022
Publisher: New York University Press

At the dawn of the 20th century, the Russian Empire boasted the largest Jewish population in the world, surpassing other regions. Following the Holocaust, the Soviet Union emerged as one of the world's three major hubs for Jewish settlement, alongside the United States and Israel. While considerable knowledge exists regarding the history and experiences of Jewish communities in the United States and Israel during the 20th century, much less is known about the experiences of Soviet Jews. Understanding the history of Jewish communities under Soviet rule is crucial to comprehending the dynamics of Jewish history in the modern world. A limited number of scholars and the final generation of Soviet Jews who lived during this period possess a deep understanding of this history.

Jews in the Soviet Union, a multi-volume historical project, represents an unprecedented endeavor. Over the coming years, this groundbreaking work will be published, offering a comprehensive account of Jewish life in the Soviet Union from 1917 to the early 1990s. Volume 5, in particular, delves into the history of Soviet Jewry, spanning from the downfall of the ruthless dictator Joseph Stalin to the military confrontation between Israel and Arab states in 1967, famously known as the Six-Day War. Both historical events had a profound impact on Soviet Jews, who, following the Holocaust, constituted the second-largest Jewish population globally, numbering over two million. Stalin's demise resulted in the release of political prisoners and a reduction in societal fear. The economy was experiencing growth, and living conditions were improving. Simultaneously, the state harb.

Weight: 828g
Dimension: 162 x 237 x 36 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781479819461