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. The community is also known for its rich religious and cultural life. But it was not the same in the past.

Our talk will cover the period of about 140-150 years, from the time when Jews were first allowed to settle in Moscow to the present day. We will look at the Jewish business empires of the late 19th century and find their traces today. We will find out how a Jew became the best Russian landscape artist and will speak about the time when Jews were expelled from the city. We will visit the Old Choral Synagogue and the Bolshaya Bronnaya Synagogue as well.

We will learn the unique story of a modern "shtetl" created in the early 20th century and which still exists today. We will discuss the economic activities of the Soviet Jews in the small towns around Moscow - and how their traditional role as middlemen continued even during communism. We will look at the Jewish Community Center in Marina Rosha and visit the Jewish Museum and Tolerance Center - dedicated to the history of Russian Jews. We will also pay a visit to the Holocaust Memorial Synagogue located in Victory Park.

Finally, we will cover the changes in the atmosphere and Jewish Community life in Moscow since February 24, 2022.

About Evgenia