The Russian Jews

The Bible tells of King Nebuchadnezzar taking the Jews out of Israel and into Babylon as slaves about 600 BC. For about 90 years they lived in parts of what is now Armenia, Ukraine and Southern Russia. When they were allowed to return to their homeland many chose to stay because they had married natives, purchased land or moved further north.
As time passed, they spread out into much of Russia. They endured extreme persecution and eventually were kicked out of the country. In events called Pogroms, Russian military and citizens systematically either killed or drove out thousands of Jews and took their homes, possessions and property. The play and movie Fiddler on the Roof portrays these events, as does the animated movie An American Tail.
The majority of Jews that left Russia came to America, but unfortunately many escaped to Germany and Poland where they suffered in Hitler's Holocaust in the 1930's and 40's.