Guest lecture about the Jewish Christians in Russian Empire on 18 century

In Russian Empire with strict state legislation, Jews were included in the list of the undesired guests. From 1742 when Empress Elizabeth Petrovna issued ukase (decree), that banned Jews from further entry into Russian Empire, the only official mean of entering was baptizing. Considering the importance of religion in the Jewish lives, it would be reasonable to assume that there was no one willing to give up his religion in return for residence permit. Nevertheless in paradox the described period official papers shows something other – it records not large but constant flow of Jews who wanted to gain the Russian citizenship “in return” for faith. What drove these people and how the conversion process took place looking from bureaucratic and ideological aspect? In what level the transformation from Jew – migrant to newly baptized citizen of the empire took place? These and other questions will be addressed by V. Gerasimova in lecture “A former a Yid now a Christian. Conversion from Judaism to Orthodox Christianity”. In the second lecture: “Jewish Christians – own people or strangers” V. Gerasimova will tell who were these people, and how they were treated by secular and religious power and what difficulties and adventures the “new baked” Christians - former Yids faced? Within the guest lectures V. Gerasimova will invite to take look into those ten (or even hundred?) stories of the Jewish migrants from many countries, which were ready to acquire the citizenship of Russian Empire for the prize of the conversion. They are not within the usual characters (commonly named when speaking about the Jewish Christians in Russian Empire on 18 century) and stayed in the shadow of all possible accounts. V. Gerasimova will base its guest lectures on archive materials from Russia, Ukraine and Israel.  More than hundred sources will be put in academic framework for the first time. We kindly welcome all: 22 October 14:30 o’clock at The Center for Judaic Studies 19 Rainis Boulevard, Room 210 “A former a Yid now a Christian. Conversion from Judaism to Orthodox Christianity” We will focus on Jewish conversion from Judaism to Christianity.  24. October 14:30 o’clock at University of Latvia Faculty of History and Philosophy (Marstaļu Street 28/30 5 lecture room.) We will speak about already baptized Jew adaptation and perception. Victoria Gerasimova is Russian State University for the Humanities aspirant (graduate student) lecturer of the courses: “Introduction in the Jewish civilization” and “Jewish history in the Russian Empire”. From January 2008 V. Gerasimova is a Russian State University for the Humanities Scientific biblistic and Judaic center worker.  Both lectures will be held in Russian language.