Amurzet

Amurzet (Russian: Амурзет; Yiddish: אמורזעט) is a rural locality (a selo) and the administrative center of Oktyabrsky District of the Jewish Autonomous Oblast, Russia, located 250 kilometers (160 mi) from Birobidzhan.^[3] Population: 5,051 (2010 Census);^[4] 5,382 (2002 Census);^[5] 6,243 (1989 Soviet census).^[6]

Amurzet Амурзет
Rural locality
Location of Amurzet
Amurzet Location of Amurzet Show map of Russia Amurzet Amurzet (Jewish Autonomous Oblast) Show map of Jewish Autonomous Oblast
Coordinates: 47°41′48″N 131°5′53″E
Country	Russia
Federal subject	Jewish Autonomous Oblast
Founded	1928
Elevation	70 m (230 ft)
Time zone	UTC+10 (MSK+7 [1])
Postal code(s)[2]	679230
OKTMO ID	99625405101

History

It was founded in 1929 as a large collective farm.^[7] Specifically, Amurzet has a history of Jewish settlement in the JAO since its inception.^[8] Concerning the period 1929 through 1939, Amurzet was the center of Jewish settlement for the area south of Birobidzhan.^[9]

Jewish community

The present day Jewish community members hold Kabalat Shabbat ceremonies and gatherings that feature songs in Yiddish, Jewish cuisine, and discussions on Jewish culture. Today, many descendants of the founders of this settlement have left their native village, while others remain. Present day inhabitants of Amurzet, especially those having relatives in Israel, are learning more about the traditions and roots of the Jewish people and religion.^[10]

See also

• History of the Jews in the Jewish Autonomous Oblast