Challenges of Jewish Agricultural Settlements

This chapter examines the failed efforts during Alexander II's reign to integrate Jewish communities into agriculture, revealing a marked decline in interest as many families turned to urban trades. It discusses the socio-economic factors influencing these decisions, including poor crop yields and local competition, which led to empty homes and declining agricultural efforts. The narrative highlights the complexities of Jewish identity and the historical realities of agricultural colonization in Russia, contrasting official narratives with the lived experiences of these communities.