Historical Perspectives on Jewish Identity and Migration

This chapter examines the complex historical relationship between Jewish communities and societal attitudes in Russia, particularly during the reforms of Czar Alexander II and III. It highlights the legal restrictions and societal biases faced by Jews, illustrating the contentious debates over Jewish identity, assimilation, and emigration fueled by economic pressures and pogroms. The discussion connects these historical events to the subsequent waves of Jewish immigration to the United States, questioning the narratives shaped around these experiences.