The REE represents the world's first attempt to create an encyclopedic publication entirely dedicated to Russian Jewry, its destiny, history, and role both in the life of Russia and other nations. The boundaries of the concepts "Russia" and "Russian" in the REE do not correspond to the current borders of the Russian Federation, but rather align with the historical borders of the Russian Empire and the USSR at each specific period. Chronologically, the REE spans from the first appearance of Jews on the territory of Russia to the present day.

Structurally, the REE is divided into three sections:

• Biographical. Volumes 1–3 contain approximately 3,000 biographical entries on Russian Jews who made significant contributions to the culture, science, social, and economic life of Russia and other countries. Since the concept of Jewish identity in Russian social consciousness is interpreted more broadly than in traditional Judaism, the first section of the REE includes biographies of individuals with at least one Jewish parent.

• Historical and Regional. Volumes 4–5 contain over 3,500 entries on the Jewish communities in various settlements of the Russian Empire and the USSR.

• Thematic and Terminological. Volumes 6–7 comprise general articles reflecting various aspects of the life of Russian Jewry, including entries on Jewish organizations, political parties, periodicals, and educational institutions, as well as the contribution of Jews to various fields of science, culture, and socio-political and economic life.