Review article

Migration and Changes in the Jewish Population

Melita Švob ; Institute for Migration and Ethnic Studies, Zagreb, Croatia

Abstract

The distribution and number of Jewish populations (in Israel and the Diaspora), demographic changes and migrations are especially linked to Jews, who, as a religious and ethnic minority, have always been dependent on politics and dominant social groups in host countries. Throughout history, dispersed Jewish communities have been formed and developed in various ways. Today the three largest communities − in the USA, in Israel and in the former USSR − although all three derive mainly from East Europe, show the greatest differences. Two events in the newer Jewish history − the Holocaust and the existence of the state of Israel, are of special significance for the development of the Jewish identity, and are new factors of unity, but they have also provoked migrations which are still going on. This paper presents an overview of the distribution, number and position of Jewish communities in the world, in the light of historical and political conditions which formerly influenced, and even today continue to influence Jewish migration. The Jewish community in Croatia and Zagreb is analysed. Nevertheless, attention is focused primarily on East Europe and Israel as areas of large changes.

Keywords

Jews; demographic changes; history; migration; Diaspora; Israel; Jewish identity

Hrčak ID:

126959

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/126959

Publication date:

29.12.1995.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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