First Jewish 'state' of the 20th century?

[jcsd]

I came across this article whilst doing something unrelated and thought it might interest many here.

Jewish Autonomous Oblast
Overview


"In the northern southwest corner of the Khabarovski Krai on the border of China is the Jewish Autonomous Oblast, a district set up in 1928 to settle the "Jewish Question." Its history is an interesting one. In the 20's the Soviet government made several efforts to found Jewish Homelands in the Ukraine and Crimea where Jews could live and work without fear of repression. These met with such local resistance that the projects were soon abandoned. In March of 1928, the government allotted an area in the Amur River Basin for "settlement by working people of the Jewish Nationality." By creating a special area for the Jews in sparsely populated regions of the Russian Far East, the Soviet government hoped to accomplish several things. First they would create a "homeland" for working Jews in an area where there would be no local backlash. Second, by devoting resources and land to the Jews, the Soviets hoped to attract Jewish money and settlers from abroad. Third, the region bordered on China, and settling and developing the area would be a strategic step in strengthening Soviet control over the area."

"Soon after the declaration, the first migrants arrived and over the next ten years a total of 35,000 Jews came to the area, mixing with the Cossacks and the Koreans already there. Conditions were terrible; the land was swampy and the winters harsh. Although some migrants stayed and built the settlements of Waldheim, Tikhonkaya (later Birobidzhan), Amurzet and others, even the most conservative sources cite that of the arriving settlers, 20-30% returned home each year, and in some cases up to 70%. By 1934, although 22,000 Jews had come to the region, few more than 5,000 had stayed to work and live."

"In the post war years, Jews again became the subject of persecution in Russia and all Jewish Institutions were shut down. In the Jewish Autonomous Republic migration came to a halt. Thousands of Jews were imprisoned and killed. Afterwards the region became "Autonomous" and "Jewish" in name only. Economically the JAO became the light industrial area of the Russian Far East, known for its clothing factories and treaded combines."

"In the late 80's less than 5% of the population was Jewish, and there was one synagogue for the capital of Birobidzhan. However, in the last few years this figure has grown to 16% as some residents are now less afraid to announce their Jewish background, while others look to use their Jewish nationality as a way to immigrate to Israel."*




*Quoted from the Russian Far East by Erik and Allegra Harris Azulay.


From http://www.traveleastrussia.com/jewish.html

[IsraelAdvocate]

More evidence that Zionism is based purely on self preservation, and the desire to live free from Religous persecution.... Not unlike the Pilgrims who settled in North America.

Originally posted by jcsd
I came across this article whilst doing something unrelated and thought it might interest many here.

Jewish Autonomous Oblast
Overview


"In the northern southwest corner of the Khabarovski Krai on the border of China is the Jewish Autonomous Oblast, a district set up in 1928 to settle the "Jewish Question." Its history is an interesting one. In the 20's the Soviet government made several efforts to found Jewish Homelands in the Ukraine and Crimea where Jews could live and work without fear of repression. These met with such local resistance that the projects were soon abandoned. In March of 1928, the government allotted an area in the Amur River Basin for "settlement by working people of the Jewish Nationality." By creating a special area for the Jews in sparsely populated regions of the Russian Far East, the Soviet government hoped to accomplish several things. First they would create a "homeland" for working Jews in an area where there would be no local backlash. Second, by devoting resources and land to the Jews, the Soviets hoped to attract Jewish money and settlers from abroad. Third, the region bordered on China, and settling and developing the area would be a strategic step in strengthening Soviet control over the area."

"Soon after the declaration, the first migrants arrived and over the next ten years a total of 35,000 Jews came to the area, mixing with the Cossacks and the Koreans already there. Conditions were terrible; the land was swampy and the winters harsh. Although some migrants stayed and built the settlements of Waldheim, Tikhonkaya (later Birobidzhan), Amurzet and others, even the most conservative sources cite that of the arriving settlers, 20-30% returned home each year, and in some cases up to 70%. By 1934, although 22,000 Jews had come to the region, few more than 5,000 had stayed to work and live."

"In the post war years, Jews again became the subject of persecution in Russia and all Jewish Institutions were shut down. In the Jewish Autonomous Republic migration came to a halt. Thousands of Jews were imprisoned and killed. Afterwards the region became "Autonomous" and "Jewish" in name only. Economically the JAO became the light industrial area of the Russian Far East, known for its clothing factories and treaded combines."

"In the late 80's less than 5% of the population was Jewish, and there was one synagogue for the capital of Birobidzhan. However, in the last few years this figure has grown to 16% as some residents are now less afraid to announce their Jewish background, while others look to use their Jewish nationality as a way to immigrate to Israel."*




*Quoted from the Russian Far East by Erik and Allegra Harris Azulay.


From http://www.traveleastrussia.com/jewish.html

[Miriam]

The story is well-known. An absolute flop, easily one of the least inhabitable places in the world - probably just what Stalin intended. Certainly no sane Jew ever went there, at least not out free volition

[andak01]

bump.

[Toga]

Some stupid, idealistic, nutty Jews did in fact go there. It was and still is a rather inhospitable place. Jews could turn it into a prosperous area but there was no religious attachment to that land. No Jewish history, culture, language, traditions, etc. had any association with that land. In addition, it was a region in a country known for its hatred toward the Jews.

[Toga]

Since you are not Jewish why are you so interested in Jews?

[andak01]

Since the Jews on this forum aren't Muslim, why are they so interested in us? I'd rather hear about how good you are than how bad I am. Seems like a more pleasant way to pass the time.

[Toga]

Since the Jews on this forum aren't Muslim, why are they so interested in us? I'd rather hear about how good you are than how bad I am. Seems like a more pleasant way to pass the time.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/1824455.stm

Now that you got all your answers can you please move on to the forum of your brothers?

[SteveK]

Since the Jews on this forum aren't Muslim, why are they so interested in us? I'd rather hear about how good you are than how bad I am. Seems like a more pleasant way to pass the time.

Hi andak01,

Well, the Muslims in my area of the world want to murder all the Jews, and have put their cravings into repeated terrorist actions. A little interest by us Jews here in such blood thirsty animal behaviour of the surrounding Arab Islamic nations may be a little relevant.

Maybe you could convince the Jews that what we experience in "Islamic terror" is not the mindset of these Arab despotic and dictatorial nations, but only a few renegade Arab souls hell bent on defaming the otherwise God loving and peaceful followers of Mohammed and the Quran.

We will believe you. What's the truth?

[Toga]

Hi andak01,

Well, the Muslims in my area of the world want to murder all the Jews, and have put their cravings into repeated terrorist actions. A little interest by us Jews here in such blood thirsty animal behaviour of the surrounding Arab Islamic nations may be a little relevant.

Maybe you could convince the Jews that what we experience in "Islamic terror" is not the mindset of these Arab despotic and dictatorial nations, but only a few renegade Arab souls hell bent on defaming the otherwise God loving and peaceful followers of Mohammed and the Quran.

We will believe you. What's the truth?

LOL!

The anti-Semitic viral condition is not curable regardless of any explanation (treatment).

[Achihud]

Seems like a more pleasant way to pass the time.

Should have stayed with six bumps however.


To visitors of R/C; Careful, it's a minefield down here!

[Mil]

Posted by jcsd:

I came across this article whilst doing something unrelated and thought it might interest many here.

It is nothing new. Berobidjan was not a Jewish state but a Soviet Jewish Republic (to this day called Jewish federal region of the Russian Federation) with a very small number of Jews and a large number of Chinese.

[KSO]

Posted by jcsd:

I came across this article whilst doing something unrelated and thought it might interest many here.

It is nothing new. Berobidjan was not a Jewish state but a Soviet Jewish Republic (to this day called Jewish federal region of the Russian Federation) with a very small number of Jews and a large number of Chinese.

Ahhh The Demographic threat!

[Mil]

Posted by KSO:


Ahhh The Demographic threat!

Neh - it's just too freaking far!!!!

In all truthfullness I think God has some kind of a thing against the Jews. If he gives them land it's got to be the worst place on Earth. Why wouldn't God give Jews Australia or Switzerland?

[Toga]

Posted by KSO:


Ahhh The Demographic threat!

Neh - it's just too freaking far!!!!

In all truthfullness I think God has some kind of a thing against the Jews. If he gives them land it's got to be the worst place on Earth. Why wouldn't God give Jews Australia or Switzerland?

There is nothing worse than an ignorant Jew. IMHO an ignorant, stupid Jew should be outlawed.

Israel is beautiful. A tiny country with 12 climatic zones. In the South is the Red Sea, in the West is the Mediterranean, in the North is Kinneret and in the East the Dead Sea. In has mountains, valleys, beautiful beaches, etc.

Get some rudimentary education prior to spewing out your stupidity.