Cart
0
$0.00
Moscow from a Jewish Perspective
Sunday, May 17
USA 12:00 pm PT / 3:00 pm ET
UK 8:00 pm / France 9:00 pm / Israel 10:00 pm
The talk will last approximately 90 minutes
About this talk
Moscow, the capital of modern Russia, is home to the largest Jewish community in the country, still numbering some 100,000 people. Despite all the current political events, Jewish life here flourishes, and anyone traveling to Moscow will find beautiful historical and new synagogues, community centers, Jewish museums, and more. While the community is now known for its rich religious and cultural life, this was not always the case in the past.
Our talk will cover approximately 140-150 years, starting from when Jews were first allowed to settle in Moscow up to modern times. We will explore the Jewish business empires of the late 19th century and trace their remnants today. We will discover the story of a Jewish artist who became one of Russia's most celebrated landscape painters and discuss the period when Jews were expelled from the city. We will also visit significant landmarks of Jewish heritage in Moscow, including the Old Choral Synagogue and the Bolshaya Bronnaya Synagogue.
We will learn the unique story of a modern "shtetl," created in the early 20th century that still exists today. We will discuss the economic activities of Soviet Jews in the small towns around Moscow, focusing on how their traditional role as middlemen continued even during communism.
Finally, we will cover the changes in the atmosphere and Jewish Community life in Moscow since the beginning of the war in Ukraine.
About Evgenia
Evgenia Kempinski is a Russian Jew born and raised in St. Petersburg. Her family traces its roots to the historic Pale of Settlement, spanning present-day Poland, Ukraine, and Belarus. With more than 20 years of experience as a tour guide, Evgenia is the founder and owner of St. Petersburg Jewish Tours, a company dedicated to creating meaningful travel experiences for Jewish travelers. Her tours highlight the rich history and culture of the former Soviet Union, Scandinavia and more, through a distinctively Jewish lens. Although she no longer resides in Russia, Evgenia continues to lead virtual tours across a wide range of countries and topics, offering in-depth explorations from a Jewish perspective. Today, she is based in Barcelona, Spain, where she conducts both Jewish-themed and general interest tours in person.
RECORDING INFORMATION
This talk will be recorded and shared with registrants the day after.
It will be available for 3 days, and 7 days for members.
Click here to register
You will be asked to select one of these options:
General admission - $18
Supported admission - $9
Sponsor this talk - $36
With your contribution you will also be donating to The Together Plan, a small charity with a big vision - to put Jewish Belarus and Ukraine back on the world map and help isolated Jewish communities find their voice and learn skills for self-development.
