Birobidzhan

March 17, 2003 11:47 PM

Stalin's Forgotten Zion. In 1934, the Soviet Union established the Jewish Autonomous Region in remote Birobidzhan as a permanent agricultural colony for all Soviet Jews. Substantial incentives from the Soviet government drew many new settlers. Today, only a few thousand Jews remain. A few more links: pictures from the BBC, a travel diary, a recent economic overview.
posted by tss (5 comments total)

Great post, tss. Superb coverage, no editorializing - it speaks for itself. Very moving.
posted by MiguelCardoso at 12:26 AM on March 18, 2003

Very interesting. I had heard of this, but knew no details. Thanks!
posted by Slithy_Tove at 12:44 AM on March 18, 2003

Great link, thanks.
posted by kavasa at 1:08 AM on March 18, 2003

This is good!
posted by plep at 5:43 AM on March 18, 2003

In his book In Siberia, Colin Thubron spends a chapter or two on Birobidzhan, for those looking for more...
great post!
posted by mookieproof at 2:14 PM on March 18, 2003