Demography

The Jewish community in Belarus is the third-largest in the former Soviet Union (following Russia and Ukraine). The largest center is in Minsk, home to some 20,000 Jews. There are several thousand Jews living in many of the country’s smaller cities and towns, including Bobruysk (6,000), Mogilev (6,000), Gomel (5,500), and Vitebsk (5,000), and about 500 each in Baranowicz, Borisov, Brest, Grodno, Orsha, Pinsk, and Polotosk.

Community

The Belarus Union of Jewish Organizations and Communities is the major umbrella organization. For the most part, Jewish life is very decentralized, and there are a great number of local organizations that are fully independent. Although anti-Semitism is not as great a problem as in Ukraine or in Russia, there have been a number of incidents that have given cause for concern.

Culture and Education

There are 19 Jewish schools with 1,400 students in 13 cities, among them two day schools (Gomel and Minsk). Minsk has a Jewish People’s University which functions as an evening school affiliated with the Belarus State University. In 1994 a Center for Jewish National Culture was opened in Minsk, as was a Center for the History of the Jews of Belarus in Vitebsk. There are about 100 cultural groups but most of these are small and lead a precarious existence. A lively Jewish press exists, Minsk alone boasting three Jewish newspapers.About 1,000 students go to any one of about 50 Jewish schools in a number of different cities, among them two day schools (Gomel and Minsk). Minsk has a Jewish People’s University, which functions as an evening school and is affiliated with the Belarus State University. In 1994 a Center for Jewish National Culture was opened in Minsk, as was a Center for the History of the Jews of Belarus in Vitebsk. There are about 100 cultural groups, but most of these are small and lead a precarious existence. A lively Jewish press exists, Minsk alone boasting three Jewish newspapers.

Religious Life

There are synagogues in most of the towns with a large Jewish population, and these generally have Sunday schools for children. Several rabbis, mainly foreign, serve the needs of the community. Kosher food is available, and matzot are produced locally.

Israel

Aliya : Since 1989, 57,000 Jews from Belarus have emigrated to Israel.

Sites

In many towns, ruins of synagogues, yeshivot, and burial grounds can be found. Many Jewish buildings are intact but have been put to other uses.

Contact

Union of Belarussian Jewish Organizations and Communities

PRESIDENT : Leonid LEVIN

  Skorina Prospekt 137-6, Minsk
  Tel : 375 172 643 083
  Email : ubjoc@nsys.by

Embassy

  Partizanski Prospekt 6A
  Minsk 220002
  Tel : 375 172 303 479
  Fax : 375 172 105 270