Russian Jews are an ethno-religious people group from Russia who adhere to Judaism. The majority who immigrated to the United States came from the European region west of the Ural Mountain range, specifically from the Russia metro areas of Moscow and St. Petersburg.
US Census reports over 3 million claiming Russian ancestry. Population estimates for determining how many Russians are Russian Jews range from 100,000 to over 700,000. Even a conservative estimate makes Russian Jews one of the single largest people groups adhering to Judaism in the United States.
The majority of Russians claim Judaism or Christian Orthodoxy (For information about Russians who adhere to Christian Orthodoxy, see
Russian). The vast majority of Russian Jews in the United States live in South Brooklyn, New York with the second major population residing in Los Angeles.
According to a 2013 poll released by
Limmud FSU, "50% of Russian Jews in the United States do not feel that they are part of the American Jewish community, while 40% said they feel “very much” connected to the community. Regarding the importance of feeling connected to the Jewish community, 82% replied that it was “very important” to have such a connection and 72% stated that “the most important thing” they looked for in a child’s spouse was that he or she be Jewish. Some 73% of respondents stated that they consider their Jewishness the most important part of their identity."
Prayer Points
Pray God will send laborers to work among Russian Jews.
Pray that evangelical Christians will live among, naturally become friends with, and intentionally share Christ and plant churches among Russian Jews.
Pray God will open doors of access for the Gospel into Russian Jewish communities.
Learning Resources
Learn more about "Learning Paths" Online Courses for embracing, encountering and engaging diaspora people. Work at your own pace. Begin anytime and complete the course according to your schedule. Interactive, Hands-On Application.
Learn more about "Reaching the Nations" This book delineates five disciplines Christians should develop in order to effectively reach the nations. More specifically, it will guide Christians to develop an engagement strategy in their locale.