Russian Jewish elites and anti-Semitism

Focuses on antisemitism from 1989 to 1999 in Russia in terms of reactions to the success of a number of Jews in business and government. This selective antisemitism has been exploited politically not only by marginal groups but also by the renascent Communist Party, whose Duma representative, Albert Makashov, the Russian parliament refused to censure for his antisemitic remarks. Makashov suggested that Jewish participation in government be limited. The prominence of Jews in Yeltsin's government and of successful Jewish tycoons, like Boris Berezovsky, has not only stirred up antisemitism but also created ambivalence among Russian Jews. Some of the latter retain stereotypes (e.g. economic fields are appropriate for Jews), but believe that aspiring to top political or military posts could lead to an antisemitic backlash. Among those in Russian society that are prone to antisemitism are members of the Soviet-era elite who have lost their influence and people who envy Jews who have succeeded in a more open economy. Concludes that antisemitism is a serious test case for Russian democracy and for a society with a long tradition of antisemitism. (From the Bibliography of the Vidal Sassoon International Center for the Study of Antisemitism - The Hebrew University of Jerusalem)