Abstract
Russian Jewry is undergoing a period of dramatic change. After a long period of upheaval during which Jewish life was nearly obliterated, it has evolved with new-found strength. The chapter discusses the process of social identity development across generations of contemporary Russian Jews and attempts to understand the processes underlying the development of identity. The chapter draws from in depth interviews with two generations of Jewish adolescents and their parents in St. Petersburg. The findings of the present study show that Jewish identity in Russia is rapidly evolving. Perhaps most importantly, Russian Jews feel comfortable to return to their roots after decades of avoidance and denial. What is particularly interesting is how the phenomenon of re-emerging Jewish identity is being led by young people. Although parents clearly play a central role, it is their adolescent children who seem most interested in exploring their ethnic and religious identity. This trend could not take place without the facilitative role played by emerging Jewish organizations and institutions. With the help of external resources, Jewish life in Russia is being rebuilt for those Jewish families who remain. The context of Jewish life in Russia is undergoing profound change and it is having a major effect on the way in which those of Jewish background identify. Given the way in which social identities shape attitudes, feelings and behavior, we are perhaps only at the beginning of a period of even greater change.