The establishment of the Jewish Autonomous Oblast can be traced back to March 8, 1928, during the Soviet era, and it has a history spanning nearly a century to this day.
The background of its formation lies in the Soviet government's need to stabilize and develop new cities in the Far East while providing a home for displaced Jewish people.
Through the 1928 "Resolution on the Establishment of Jewish Agricultural Settlements" by Soviet authorities, the Jewish Autonomous Oblast was officially created with the hope that Jewish immigrants would settle and build their new homeland there.
However, in the first twenty years following the establishment of Israel, the Jewish population in the Autonomous Oblast rapidly declined, with only a few choosing to remain.
Despite Israel's repeated invitations and attractive offers, these Jews steadfastly refused the opportunity to return, much to Israel's confusion.
The history of the Jewish Autonomous Oblast is deeply rooted in the long and painful diaspora of the Jewish people.
Since the 8th century BCE, Jews have endured multiple conquests and the destruction of their states by Assyrians, Babylonians, Persians, Greeks, and Romans.
In 135 CE, the Romans expelled the Jews from Palestine, marking the beginning of nearly two millennia of global dispersion.
During these long centuries, Jewish nationalists sought a secure "promised land" where they could rebuild their state and culture.
In the early days of the Soviet Union, the Far East faced a shortage of population, particularly in the effort to stabilize and develop new cities.
Stalin proposed as early as 1921 that Jews participate in the region's development, but due to various complex factors, this proposal was temporarily shelved until it was formally implemented in 1928.
Initially, the plan did not succeed smoothly, mainly due to the lack of interest among Jewish immigrants in grassroots construction work and the harsh climate conditions of the Russian Far East, which made adaptation difficult for them.
The initial Jewish settlers quickly departed.
It was only after the Jewish community intensified its support for infrastructure development that the local Jewish population began to gradually increase, reaching 50,000 by 1938.
The Jewish Autonomous Oblast gradually developed into a medium-sized city with comprehensive infrastructure including hospitals, factories, schools, newspapers, radio stations, sports stadiums, and even Siberia's first Jewish cinema.
Nevertheless, the development of the Jewish Autonomous Oblast might have been more prosperous if not for Israel's declaration of independence in 1948.
As the Palestinian issue intensified, Israel continued to extend invitations to the Jewish Autonomous Oblast, hoping its residents would return and settle.
However, these invitations were staunchly rejected by the local Jewish population.
Prominent historian of the Jewish Autonomous Oblast, Valery Gulevich, became a symbol of this rejection.
He firmly believed that Israel's invitations were merely political theater, aimed at gaining support from global Jewry and securing more economic and military aid to continue occupying Palestine.
Gulevich's views reflected deep dissatisfaction with Israeli actions and an understanding of Jewish faith.
He believed that Israel's wartime actions violated Jewish ethical and ritual norms, and that the Jewish "promised land" should be a place where they could live in peace, rather than a region engulfed in conflict.
Therefore, despite economic difficulties and other challenges, Jews who chose to remain in Russia opted to continue living in the Jewish Autonomous Oblast.
Their priority was to settle in a place that aligned with their religious doctrines and values, rather than participating in wars abroad.
They preferred a modest life in exchange for maintaining their beliefs and values.
To them, a secure place was the true "promised land."
The history of the Jewish Autonomous Oblast is filled with complex political, religious, and cultural factors.
It is not just a geographical entity, but also a symbol of the Jewish people's long-standing pursuit of security and autonomy.
Globally, this land represents the contradictions between the ideals and realities of Jewish nationalism, as well as the challenges and choices faced by Jews in historical transitions.
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