History of the Jews in Odessa

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The history of the Jews in Odesa dates to 16th century. Since the city's founding in 1795, Odesa has been home to one of the largest population of Jews in the Ukraine. They comprised the largest ethno-religious group in the region throughout most of the 19th century and until the mid-20th century.
Background
Jews have been a part of the region's economic activities for many centuries. Starting in 16th century, Jews from the Polish Crown have been settling in what is today southern Ukraine, working as merchants, importers and translators among the Cossacks in the Zaporozhian Sich. They were also active in exporting goods from Crimea to the mainland and owned a substantial share of the stores and taverns in the region. After the abolition of the Zaporozhian Sich in 1775, when Russians took control over the area, Jews moved to the newly established coastal towns, one of them being Khazhibei, which was renamed Odesa in 1795.

The early Jewish settlers in the region were possibly Sephardi Jews, who had migrated from Crimea. Several tombstones written in Hebrew dated between 1765 and 1789 have been found in the region.

Initial growth
By 1799, the Jewish population of the city numbered 317, comprising 187 males and 130 females. Around this period, there were multiple Jewish religious institutions, including a burial society, a synagogue, and a school for orphans named Talmud Torah. A hekdesh was built and a Kehillah was organised.

Immigration to the region happened in two distinct waves during the first two decades of 19th century, on which the remote and newly formed Jewish community relied heavily for its growth. As Steven Zipperstein argues, Jewish immigrants "looked upon Odesa, with its wide streets and limestone buildings, as a world apart from the ancient settlements to which they were accustomed, and Odesa came to represent to Jews elsewhere the option of a fresh start, offering a change in climate, economic possibilities, and perimeters of acceptable religious behavior".