Desperation and Identity: Jewish Emancipation in Russia

This chapter examines the extreme lengths individuals went to avoid military conscription, including self-mutilation, as well as the backlash against Jewish involvement in public education. It discusses the evolving perspectives of the Russian intelligentsia towards Jewish communities, the implications of anti-Semitism, and the skepticism surrounding Jewish emancipation. Additionally, it analyzes the historical context of representation, civil rights, and the tensions that led to violence during a pivotal era in Russia.