The ingredients for catastrophe in Russia and many of the former Soviet republics have never been as evident as they are today: economic failure and stagnation, ethnic conflicts boiling over into urban warfare, autocratic regimes digging in against democratic reforms, and unprecedented levels of anti-Semitic rhetoric and sentiment. The prospects for sustaining and expanding democracy and rule of law are of great significance and concern.

Despite continued difficulties and uncertainty, the renaissance of Jewish life in the former Soviet Union is proceeding in ways unimaginable a decade ago, even as emigration remains steady. There are also indications that the future could bring still greater freedom and better opportunities for cultural and religious expression. Rejuvenation of a thousand communities has been facilitated by American Jewish and Israeli involvement on the ground together with an emerging array of FSU leadership such as the Russian Jewish Congress. Progress on restitution of synagogues and other communal properties, also has led to sustained interest by young and old alike in discovering the meaning of their newfound Jewish identity.

The JCPA is committed to supporting the reemergence of vibrant Jewish life in the FSU, including efforts by federations and CRCs to foster that reemergence through partnerships with local FSU Jewish communities. NCSJ’s Kehilla projects offer a successful channel for promoting ties between Jewish communities in the United States and the former Soviet Union. Communities should be encouraged to actively participate in these opportunities.

The richness of Jewish life, however, does not dispel the political uncertainties. The threat to Jews and Jewish facilities in the Russian Federation has reached dangerous levels, and the risk of violence will intensify unless officials continue to promote strong and consistent measures in Moscow and throughout Russia. Communist and nationalist politicians who control the Duma (lower chamber of Parliament) make statements blaming Jews for Russia’s problems and calling for death to Jews. Their followers across Russia have formed local groups that vandalize Jewish institutions, threaten their Jewish neighbors, and inspire individuals to plan violent attacks.

Through active engagement by the United States Congress, Administration and Jewish communities across America, anti-Semitism and related human rights concerns are integrated into the substantive agenda of U.S.-Russian bilateral relations.

Despite the immediate threat and uncertain prospects, many Jews have elected to remain, especially the disproportionately large elderly population with its commensurate needs. The significant increase in aliyah is a bittersweet combination of lower confidence in Russia’s future and positive reports from those FSU immigrants already in Israel.

Ethnic conflict is spinning out of control throughout the Caucasus — in Abkhazia, Ossetia, Chechnya, and Dagestan — and hundreds of thousands of refugees have flooded into Russia, Georgia, and Azerbaijan. Recently, unidentified attackers have been blowing up buildings around Moscow, and authorities have conducted mass roundups of dark-skinned Russian citizens. Iran is using the unrest to broaden its own influence and to sell itself as the more stable route for transporting oil and gas resources from the Caspian Basin. American Jewish organizations have endorsed pipeline projects that rely on Western-oriented states like Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkey. The growing influence of Islamic extremism in the region — and the reaction against it — could have lasting effects on popular attitudes toward Jews and democracy and toward minorities in general.

Russia’s role in the Caucasus, as in Belarus and much of Central Asia, continues to aggravate tensions as much as stabilize conditions. Russia also tolerates spillover attacks on Azerbaijan’s territory and lends tacit support for factions seeking the overthrow of President Eduard Shevardnadze’s government in Georgia. Despite some interdiction, transfer of sensitive Russian weapons technology continues to feed the arsenals of such rogue states as Iran and Iraq.

American Jews have an historic chance to ensure a future for Jews living in the FSU, whether they proceed to Israel and the west or remain in their native land. American Jews, who played so instrumental a role in opening the Iron Curtain ten years ago, can be equally instrumental today.

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