Eastern European Jewish history

Eastern European Jewish history spans over a millennium, marked by vibrant communities in regions like Poland, Ukraine, and Russia. These Jews thrived culturally, religiously, and economically, creating rich traditions such as Yiddish language and Hasidic spirituality. However, they also faced recurrent persecution, expulsions, and pogroms—violent attacks—especially in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Many emigrated due to hardship and antisemitism, notably to the United States. The Holocaust during World War II devastated Eastern European Jewry, killing six million. Today, despite reductions, Jewish life and culture continue to influence the region and the global Jewish identity.