Exclusion and Resilience: Jews in Late Tsarist Russia

This chapter examines the systematic exclusion of Jews from administrative roles in Russia following the 1890 Zemstvo ordinance, revealing the social tensions and political disenfranchisement faced by the Jewish community. It contrasts Jewish experiences with those of the peasantry, critiquing common narratives of persecution while highlighting broader societal inequalities. Additionally, the chapter explores the migration of Jews to the U.S. and their subsequent involvement in organized crime, offering insights into the complexities of their historical representation in media.