The Russian Federation

The Jewish community of Russia is one of the largest in the world. The majority of the country's Jewish population resides in Moscow and St. Petersburg. Furthermore, there are several dozen Jewish communities throughout the Russian Federation with memberships exceeding 1,000 individuals.

Until the mid-19th century, the majority of the Jewish population in the Russian Empire was concentrated within the Pale of Settlement, encompassing modern-day Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, Lithuania, and Poland. During the Soviet era, many Jews from Belarus and Ukraine relocated to Russia. The majority settled in major urban centers, which offered significant opportunities for education and professional advancement. The Soviet authorities officially recognized Jews as a national minority, granting them the right to maintain their own cultural institutions.

Nevertheless, the practice of Jewish traditions was strictly prosecuted. During World War II, state-sponsored persecution subsided, as Jewish citizens played a critical role on the front lines, in military production, and in international diplomatic efforts. Although a significant portion of Soviet Jewry perished in the Holocaust, many of those residing in Russia—particularly in Moscow and Leningrad—survived. Immediately following the war, the campaign targeting Soviet Jewry was reinstated. Only the death of Joseph Stalin in 1953 prevented further systemic oppression.

Today, synagogues and community centers operate in all major Russian cities. Numerous cities also feature Jewish kindergartens, secondary schools, and universities, and kosher food is widely accessible.