“I Knew that Messiah Had to Come”: Jewish Festive Rituals in a Soviet City

The ethnic mobilisation that has unfolded throughout post-Soviet territory cannot be understood without a thorough examination of the preservation and transmission identity in Soviet times. Despite vast historiography devoted to studying various aspects Jewish during period, religiosity rarely been an object research. purpose this study is identify religious practices continued exist among population Sverdlovsk until 1961, when synagogue was closed. authors refer reports commissioners for Religious Affairs data obtained field They try find out extent form preserved calendar rituals, what went missing from daily life Jews. research demonstrates community 1950s reached 500 people, or about 3 % entire city. In synagogue, larger number parishioners gathered Passover, Yom Kippur, Rosh Hashanah, Sukkot. Fewer believers attended Hanukkah, Purim generally unnoticed by commissioner Affairs. recollections informants holidays (mainly Passover Purim) are peculiarly uniformly associated with description meals. This due post-war hunger age informants; they were all children, whom delicious food most important component any holiday. results make it possible assert festive rituals Jews even non-religious families, albeit limited form, 1940s 1950s, thus reinforcing their identity.