Jews Fled Russia to Escape Poverty, Oppression, and Czarist Edicts—and their Own Self-Interested Communal Leaders
Histories written about the “Great Immigration” of 2 million Russian Jews to the United States during the years 1881–1914, all cite Russian oppression, poverty, and pogroms as central reasons for the exodus. But another salient cause is rarely noted or publicized: the restrictive, self-interested, and anti-democratic leadership of their own Jewish communities.
Nicholas I ascended to the Imperial Russian throne in 1825. Nicholas hated the Jews, whom he viewed as an anarchic, cowardly, and parasitic people; he referred to them as Zhids (Yids, kikes), damned for eternity for killing Christ and for refusing to accept him as the messiah. The best way to deal with them was through repression, persecution and, if possible, conversion. During his 30-year reign, he passed 600 decrees against Jews. Nevertheless, he also sought to transform the Jews into “useful” subjects. He used the army to accomplish this goal.