![]() | Jewish Philanthropy and Enlightenment in Late-Tsarist Russia Subjects: Jews -- Education -- Russia -- History -- 19th century; Society for the Promotion of Culture among the Jews of Russia; Haskalah -- Russia -- History -- 19th century; Jews -- Russia -- Politics and government -- 19th century; Jews -- Cultural assimilation; The Society for the Promotion of Enlightenment among the Jews of Russia (OPE) was a philanthropic organization, the oldest Jewish organization in Russia. Founded by a few wealthy Jews in St. Petersburg who wanted to improve opportunities for Jewish people in Russia by increasing their access to education and modern values, OPE was secular and nonprofit. The group emphasized the importance of the unity of Jewish culture to help Jews integrate themselves into Russian society by opening, supporting, and subsidizing schools throughout the country. Brian Horowitz is Sizeler Family Chair of Jewish Studies and director of the German and Slavic Studies Department, Tulane University. He is the author of The Myth of A. S. Pushkin in Russia's Silver Age. |
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