How Are These (Soviet) Jews Different From All Other Jews?

To many American Jews, their quintessential representative is Bernie Sanders (even if they don’t live in Vermont). Born in Brooklyn, he picked up political activism in the crib, surrounded by members of Workmen’s Circle, a Jewish social and cultural organization affiliated with the labor movement, and The Bund, a Yiddish speaking group dedicated to spreading socialism throughout the world. He fought for civil rights, attended the March on Washington, and protested against the Vietnam War (i.e: The A-B-C of being a Baby Boomer.).

Sanders was so enthusiastic about socialism that, in 1988, he visited the USSR to explain to the people living there how wonderful they had it. He met a cross-section of typical Soviet citizens (all handpicked for him by the KGB). He was especially enchanted with the lack of homelessness and how affordable Soviet housing was – only 5 percent of a citizen’s income, rather than the average 40 percent in the United States. He did not visit any Soviet Jews or ask about their living conditions or their treatment. Life in the Soviet Union was utopia for all, he’d been assured and allowed to witness with his own eyes. Why wouldn’t it be peachy for Jews, too?

Read more at: https://lisaswritopia.com/how-are-these-soviet-jews-different-from-other-american-jews-guest-post-by-alina-adams/