The Jews of the former Soviet Union comprise the world's third largest Jewish community, with those in the Russian Federation alone numbering approximately 500,000. For the past several years, a revival of Jewish life has been taking place in the community, including efforts to reestablish religious and cultural life and to provide for the well-being and security of its people. Well over 100 Jewish organizations and groups operate in Moscow today. They range from religious and cultural, research and education, to charitable and welfare institutions.

The organized Russian Jewish community has taken the current precarious political situation very seriously and has expressed concern about the future well-being of the Jewish population in Russia. The Russian Jewish Congress (REK), an umbrella organization recently established to assist in rebuilding Jewish life in Russia, has met with the

[Russian Jewish community] has asserted that the Communist Party should be isolated until it rescinds its anti-Semitic manifesto and prosecutes party members who espouse anti-Semitic hatred

Russian National Security Council as well as Prime Minister Yevgeny Primakov regarding the anti-Semitic statements made by General Makashov and Victor Ilyukhin. The REK succeeded in encouraging the Israeli Parliament, Knesset, and the European Parliament to pass resolutions condemning the lawmakers' statements and has publicly challenged the Communist leadership. The VAAD, another Jewish umbrella group, which offers guidance and takes public stands on issues affecting the Russian Jewish community, has been increasingly active in light of the recent political atmosphere, speaking out on the issue of anti-Semitism in Russia.

As a whole, the organized Russian Jewish community has urged its members not to engage in contact with Communist Party leader Zyuganov or other Duma members who espouse or support anti-Semitic rhetoric. The community has asserted that the Communist Party should be isolated until it rescinds its anti-Semitic manifesto and prosecutes party members who espouse anti-Semitic hatred.

Next: Conclusion

This report was produced by ADL and the National Conference on Soviet Jewry.