Belarusian Americans in New York City

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A Belarusian grocery store in New York City, July 2016. Gastronom Belarus.jpg
A Belarusian grocery store in New York City, July 2016.
St. Cyril of Turov Cathedral, a church of the Belarusian Autocephalous Orthodox Church in Boerum Hill, 2011. Cyril of Turau Belarusan Orth Cathed Bond St jeh.jpg
St. Cyril of Turov Cathedral, a church of the Belarusian Autocephalous Orthodox Church in Boerum Hill, 2011.
Yeshiva Shaar HaTorah in Kew Gardens, Queens, September 2020. Yeshiva Shaar HaTorah, yeshiva of Rav Zelig and Rav Kalman Epstein.jpg
Yeshiva Shaar HaTorah in Kew Gardens, Queens, September 2020.
Mir Yeshiva of Brooklyn, June 2020. Mirrer Yeshiva, Ocean PKWY.jpg
Mir Yeshiva of Brooklyn, June 2020.

New York City includes a sizeable Belarusian American population. The New York metropolitan area has one of the largest concentrations of Belarusians in the United States. Many Belarusians live in Brighton Beach and elsewhere in South Brooklyn, along with other ex-Soviet immigrants including Russians and Ukrainians. Around 55,000 people of Belarusian descent live in the New York City metropolitan area, with estimates ranging from 50,000 to 75,000.

Contents

History

In the late 1800s and early 1900s, a large wave of immigrants from what is now Belarus came to the United States, with many settled in New York City. This wave of immigrants was predominantly Jewish, with a sizable minority being Christian and a small minority being Muslim. Commons reasons for Belarusian emigration included poor economic conditions, restrictions placed on the Belarusian language including the closure of Belarusian schools in Poland and the banning of Belarusian-language newspapers, lack of educational opportunities, high taxation, and antisemitic or anti-religious discrimination against Belarusian Orthodox Jews. Due to the shifting cultural and political geography of Eastern Europe, Jews from what is now Belarus may identify simply as Jewish, as Belarusian Jews, Litvaks (Lithuanian Jews), Russian Jews, Polish Jews, some combination of these identities, or some other form of ethnic/national identifying. Because Belarusian territory was once part of the Russian Empire and later a federal unit of the Soviet Union, Belarusian emigrants (both Jewish and non-Jewish) may or may not be registered as Belarusians on US Census documents. [1]

In the 1970s, Brighton Beach in Brooklyn became a leading destination for ex-Soviet emigrants to the United States. Many Belarusians settled here, along with Russians, Ukrainians, peoples of the Caucasus such as Georgians, and Central Asians (particularly Uzbeks). The neighborhood is predominantly middle-class, Jewish, and Russian-speaking. [2] [3] [4]

During the 2020–2021 Belarusian protests, multiple protests were held in New York City in solidarity with the Belarusian democracy movement and with Belarusian women. [5] [6]

Demographics

Of the approximately 55,000 people of Belarusian descent living in the New York metropolitan area, 11,000 are non-Jewish and 44,000 are Belarusian Jews. Non-Jewish Belarusians tend to identify more closely with Belarusian culture, as many Belarusian Jews identify more with Jewish and/or Russian culture. Most Belarusian Jews are irreligious, while a minority are religious. Most non-Jewish Belarusians are Christian and are largely affiliated with the Russian Orthodox Church (around 90% have some affiliation), with a minority of 10% being Roman Catholics. Less than 2% are Evangelical Christians, so there are no Evangelical churches catering to Belarusians. The majority languages of Belarusians are Belarusian and Russian. Accurately estimating the population of people of Belarusian descent can be difficult, as some people whose ancestors come from Belarus may identify as Polish or Russian instead. [7] A small minority of Belarusians are Lipka Tatars, a Turkic ethnic group from Belarus, Poland, and Lithuania who practice Sunni Islam. [8]

Compared to some other Slavic and Eastern European groups such as Ukrainians, the Belarusian community in New York City and the United States is more scattered and less cohesive. Community engagement of young people is a concern with Belarusian community advocates. Belarusian church-goers tend to be older and Belarusian youths are less engaged in community institutions. Belarusians who are active in Belarusian circles arrange meetings at a building in downtown Brooklyn, as well as in various bars. However, plans exist to create a Belarusian community center, cafe, and boutique, but the high cost of rent has delayed implementation of the plan. [9]

Cuisine

Belarusian cuisine can be found at restaurants and groceries in New York City, including the Belarussian Xata restaurant in Sheepshead Bay and the Belarus Supermarket in West Brighton. [10] Due to being landlocked, seafood is not a common staple of the Belarusian diet. Staples of Belarusian cuisine include beef, pork, mushrooms, grains, and potatoes. Belarusian cuisine varies according to religion; pork is a common dish for Belarusian Christians, but does not feature in the cuisine of Belarusian Jews who keep kosher or Belarusian Muslims who keep halal. Many Lipka Tatar Muslims drink alcohol, while still refraining from pork. Bagels, dranikai (latkes), babka, cabbage rolls, borscht, and kholodets (meat jelly) remain staples in many Belarusian-American homes. [11] [1]

Culture

A small Belarusian-Jewish klezmer music scene exists in Brooklyn, incorporating elements of traditional Belarusian and Litvak music. [12]

Each year a Belarusian festival is held at St. Cyrcil's church. The festival is part of the annual Atlantic Antic street festival. [13]

LGBT Belarusians are involved in RUSA LGBT, a community organization for Russian-speaking LGBT immigrants from Belarus, Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and other ex-Soviet states. The co-president of RUSA LGBT, Nina Long, is Belarusian. The organization was founded in 2008 and participates in the annual NYC Pride March. [14] [15] In 2013, after a homophobic crackdown by Belarusian police, a small delegation of LGBT Belarusians and their allies toured the United States, including a stop in New York City. [16]

Institutions

The Belarusan-American Association is headquartered in Brooklyn. It was formed in 2006 by a generation of political refugees who left Belarus after Alexander Lukashenko became president of Belarus in 1994. [13]

In 1950, Belarusian immigrants founded Biełarus, a Belarusian-language newspaper. It is the largest and oldest Belarusian publication outside of Belarus. The newspaper is published every two months by the Belarusan-American Association. Politically, the newspaper holds an anti-Lukashenko line.

There is a Belarusian church, St. Cyril of Turov Cathedral, located at the intersection of Atlantic Avenue and Bond Street in the neighborhood of Boerum Hill. The church is affiliated with the Belarusian Autocephalous Orthodox Church. The church functions as the hub of the Belarusian Christian community in New York City. [17] The Belarusian Autocephalous Orthodox Church (BAOC) is a small, independent church with roots in the Belarusian Orthodox Church that does not have official recognition from the Eastern Orthodox Church, serving the interests of the Belarusian emigre community. The BAOC regards the Lukashenko government is an illegitimate regime. The church archbishop of the church has declared Alexander Lukashenko "anathema" for alleged abuses against "the pious Belarusian people". Archbishop Sviataslau (Lohin) of the BAOC has denounced Lukashenko as a "dictator, murderer, and torturer" and accused the Belarusian state of "genocide of Belarusians". [18]

Lipka Tatars from Belarus, Poland, and Lithuania established a mosque in Brooklyn. Founded by the American Mohammedan Society, the Powers Street Mosque is the oldest surviving mosque in the United States. While membership in the mosque has declined, it is still an important Lipka Tatar community hub and is open for major holiday events including iftar dinners and Kurban Bayrami (Lithuanian for Eid al-Adha). [8] Due to Soviet Union's Iron Curtain, the Lipka Tatar community of New York City was cut off from their compatriots in the Baltic and Central European countries for decades. However, since the fall of the Soviet Union some Lipka Tatars have been able to visit their homelands and reconnect with relatives. Many Lipka Tatar families affiliated with the Powers Street Mosque can trace their roots back to the Belarusian city of Iwye. [19]

The Mount Hebron Cemetery in Flushing, Queens, contains a large monument to deceased Jewish immigrants and their descendants from the city of Grodno in western Belarus, maintained by the Grodner Aid Benevolent Association of Brooklyn. The monument reads, "In memoriam to our dear parents, brothers and sisters of the city of Grodno and environs who were brutally persecuted and slain by the Nazis during World War II." [20]

The Karlin-Stolin Hasidic dynasty, which has communities in New York City, has its roots in the Belarusian cities of Karlin and Stolin. [21]

Between the 1880s and 1920s, many Jews from what is now Belarus settled in New York City, founding numerous synagogues. Synagogues founded by Jewish emigrants from Belarus include: Anshei Selib (Vselyub), Adath Jeshurun/Jeshuran Anshe(i) Kamenetz/Kamenitz (Kamenets), Chevrah Anshei Narowla (Narovlya), Beth Haknesseth Anshei Lubavitz v'Homler Lubavichi (Gomel), Gemilath Chasodim Anshei Motele (Motel), Anshei Mozir (Mozyr), Chevrah Oheb Sholom Anshei Gluboka (Glebokie), Beth Haknesseth Anshei Minsk (Minsk), Anshe Osmine Vanshe Trab (Oshmyany), Ahavath Achim Anshe Usda Ahavath Torah (Uzda), Chevrah Anshei Mir (Mir), Chevrah Rabenu Nachum Anshei Grodno (Grodno), Congregation Kahal Adath Yeshurun with Anshe Lubitz (Lyubcha), Chevrah Achei Grodno v'Anshei Staputkin (Grodno), Chevrah Dorshay Tov Anshei Pinsk (Pinsk), American Minsker Gemilath Chesed (Minsk), Cochav Jacob Anshei Kamenitz d'Lita (Kamenets), and many others. [22]

The Mir Yeshiva and the Beth Hatalmud Rabbinical College in Brooklyn were founded after the original Mir Yeshiva in Mir, Belarus. Other locations are in Jerusalem and the West Bank settlement of Modi'in Illit. [23]

Notable New Yorkers of Belarusian descent

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Belarus</span> Country in Eastern Europe

Belarus, officially the Republic of Belarus, is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe. It is bordered by Russia to the east and northeast, Ukraine to the south, Poland to the west, and Lithuania and Latvia to the northwest. Covering an area of 207,600 square kilometres (80,200 sq mi) and with a population of 9.1 million, Belarus is the 13th-largest and the 20th-most populous country in Europe. The country has a hemiboreal climate and is administratively divided into six regions. Minsk is the capital and largest city; it is administered separately as a city with special status.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Minsk</span> Capital and largest city of Belarus

Minsk is the capital and the largest city of Belarus, located on the Svislach and the now subterranean Niamiha rivers. As the capital, Minsk has a special administrative status in Belarus and is the administrative centre of Minsk Region and Minsk District. As of 2024, it has a population of about two million, making Minsk the 11th-most populous city in Europe. Minsk is one of the administrative capitals of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Demographics of Belarus</span>

The demographics of Belarus is about the demographic features of the population of Belarus, including population growth, population density, ethnicity, education level, health, economic status, religious affiliations, and other aspects of the population.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grodno</span> City in Grodno Region, Belarus

Grodno or Hrodna is a city in western Belarus. It is one of the oldest cities of Belarus. The city is located on the Neman River, 300 kilometres (190 mi) from Minsk, about 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) from the border with Poland, and 30 kilometres (19 mi) from the border with Lithuania. Grodno serves as the administrative center of Grodno Region and Grodno District, though it is administratively separated from the district. As of 2024, the city has a population of 361,115 inhabitants.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grodno Region</span> Region of Belarus

Grodno Region or Hrodna Region, also known as Grodno Oblast or Hrodna Voblasts, is one of the regions of Belarus. Its administrative center, Grodno, is the largest city in the region. As of 2024, it has a population of 992,556.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lipka Tatars</span> Turkic ethnic group in Eastern Europe

The Lipka Tatars are a Turkic ethnic group who originally settled in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania at the beginning of the 14th century.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Slonim</span> Town in Grodno Region, Belarus

Slonim is a town in Grodno Region, in western Belarus. It serves as the administrative center of Slonim District. It is located at the junction of the Shchara and Isa rivers, 143 km (89 mi) southeast of Grodno. As of 2024, it has a population of 48,907.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mir, Belarus</span> Urban-type settlement in Grodno Region, Belarus

Mir is an urban-type settlement in Karelichy District, Grodno Region, Belarus. It is situated on the banks of Miranka River, about 85 kilometres (53 mi) southwest of the capital, Minsk. As of 2024, it has a population of 2,238.

Motal or Motol is an agrotown in Ivanava District, Brest Region, Belarus. It is located about 30 kilometres west of Pinsk on the Yaselda River.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">History of the Jews in Belarus</span> Ethnic group

The history of the Jews in Belarus begins as early as the 8th century. Jews lived in all parts of the lands of modern Belarus. In 1897, the Jewish population of Belarus reached 910,900, or 14.2% of the total population. Following the Polish-Soviet War (1919-1920), under the terms of the Treaty of Riga, Belarus was split into Eastern Belorussia and Western Belorussia, and causing 350,000-450,000 of the Jews to be governed by Poland. Prior to World War II, Jews were the third largest ethnic group in Belarus and comprised more than 40% of the urban population. The population of cities such as Minsk, Pinsk, Mogilev, Babruysk, Vitebsk, and Gomel was more than 50% Jewish. In 1926 and 1939 there were between 375,000 and 407,000 Jews in Belarus or 6.7-8.2% of the total population. Following the Soviet annexation of Eastern Poland in 1939, including Western Belorussia, Belarus would again have 1,175,000 Jews within its borders, including 275,000 Jews from Poland, Ukraine, and elsewhere. It is estimated 800,000 of 900,000 — 90% of the Jews of Belarus —were killed during the Holocaust. According to the 2019 Belarusian census, there were 13,705 self-identifying Jews in Belarus, of which most are of Ashkenazi origin. However, the Israeli embassy in Belarus claims to know about 30-50 thousand Belarusians with Jewish descent.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Islam in Poland</span>

A continuous presence of Islam in Poland began in the 14th century. From this time it was primarily associated with the Lipka Tatars, many of whom settled in the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth while continuing their traditions and religious beliefs. The first significant non-Tatar groups of Muslims arrived in Poland in the 1970s, though they are a very small minority.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Islam in Belarus</span>

A continuous presence of Islam in Belarus began in the 14th century. From this time it was primarily associated with the Lipka Tatars, many of whom settled in the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth while continuing their traditions and religious beliefs. With the advent of the Soviet Union, many Muslims left Belarus for other countries, particularly Poland. Presently, the Belarusian Muslim community consists of remaining Lipka Tatars, as well as recent immigrants from the Middle East. As of 2007, there were 45,000 Muslims in Belarus, representing 0.5% of the total population.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Human rights in Belarus</span>

The government of Belarus is criticized for its human rights violations and persecution of non-governmental organisations, independent journalists, national minorities, and opposition politicians. In a testimony to the United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, former United States Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice labeled Belarus as one of the world's six "outposts of tyranny". In response, the Belarusian government called the assessment "quite far from reality". During 2020 Belarusian presidential election and protests, the number of political prisoners recognized by Viasna Human Rights Centre rose dramatically to 1062 as of 16 February 2022. Several people died after the use of unlawful and abusive force by law enforcement officials during 2020 protests. According to Amnesty International, the authorities didn't investigate violations during protests but instead harassed those who challenged their version of events. In July 2021, the authorities launched a campaign against the remaining non-governmental organizations, liquidating at least 270 of them by October, including all previously registered human rights organizations in the country.

Historically, Białystok has been a destination for internal and foreign immigration, especially from Central and Eastern Europe. In addition to the Polish minority in 19th century, there was a significant Jewish majority in Białystok. According to Russian census of 1897, out of the total population of 66,000, Jews constituted 41,900. In 1936, Białystok had a population of 99,722, of whom: 50.9% (50,758) were Poles, 42.6% (42,482) Jews, 2.1% (2,094) Germans and 0.4% (359) Russians. World War II changed all of this, in 1939, ca. 107,000 persons lived in Białystok, but in 1946 – only 56,759, and to this day there is much less ethnic diversity than in the previous 300 years of the city's history. Currently the city's population is 97% Polish, 2.5% Belarusian and 0.5% of a number of minorities including Russians, Lipka Tartars, Ukrainians and Romani. Most of the modern day population growth is based on internal migration and urbanization.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Navahrudak Mosque</span> Mosque in Novogrudok, Grodno, Belarus

Navahrudak Mosque is a wooden mosque located in Novogrudok, Grodno Region in Belarus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Powers Street Mosque</span> Sunni mosque in New York, New York, United States

The Powers Street Mosque in Brooklyn, New York City is one of the oldest mosques in the United States. It was founded by a small group of Lipka Tatars, originating from the Białystok region of Poland. This was the first Muslim organization in New York State and the first official mosque for New York City's Muslim population.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Architecture of Belarus</span>

The architecture of Belarus spans a variety of historical periods and styles and reflects the complex history, geography, religion and identity of the country. Several buildings in Belarus have been designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites in recognition of their cultural heritage, and others have been placed on the tentative list.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lowchytsy</span> Village in Grodno Region, Belarus

Lowchytsy is a village in Novogrudok District, Grodno Region, Belarus. As of 2009, approximately 16 people live in the village.

Ukrainians in Belarus comprise one of the largest ethnic minorities in Belarus, making up 1.7% of the population as of the 2009 census at 158,723 people. The largest concentration of Ukrainians is in Brest Region, where they make up 2.9% of the population. The largest share of Ukrainians in the country was recorded in Kamieniets, Brest, Kobryn, and Zhabinka districts.

References

  1. 1 2 Cortés, Carlos E. (2013). Multicultural America: A Multimedia Encyclopedia. Los Angeles: SAGE Publishing. p. 331. ISBN   9781452276267.
  2. ↑ "Brighton Beach: A bit of the USSR in the USA". Russia Beyond . Retrieved 2021-05-11.
  3. ↑ "Brighton Beach Is a Paradise of Pickles and Cow Feet". Vice Magazine. Retrieved 2021-05-11.
  4. ↑ "Changing Face of Brighton Beach". The Forward. Retrieved 2021-05-11.
  5. ↑ "Belarus Protests: Demonstrators rally near United Nations Headquarters in New York". Newsflare. Retrieved 2021-05-11.
  6. ↑ "Mass protests in Belarus: 'Resign now, new elections'". The Militant . Retrieved 2021-05-11.
  7. ↑ "Belarusians in the New York Metro Area" (PDF). Unreachednewyork.com. Retrieved 2021-05-11.
  8. 1 2 "America's Oldest Surviving Mosque Is in Williamsburg". Bedford + Bowery. 2018-12-26. Retrieved 2020-07-29.
  9. ↑ "Belarus after 14 years of living in New York told what the Big Apple tastes like". ForumDaily. Retrieved 2021-05-11.
  10. ↑ "At Belarussian Xata, Hearty Fare to Keep the Spirits Light". The New York Times. Retrieved 2021-05-11.
  11. ↑ "Belarussian Xata". Eat the World NYC. Retrieved 2021-05-11.
  12. ↑ "The Sounds Of Belarus, Reimagined In Brooklyn". Times of Israel . Retrieved 2021-05-11.
  13. 1 2 Jackson, Kenneth T.; Keller, Lisa (2010). The Encyclopedia of New York City: Second Edition. New Haven, Connecticut: Yale University. ISBN   9780300114652.
  14. ↑ "A Weekend of Russian Pride". The New York. Retrieved 2021-05-11.
  15. ↑ "How Yelena Goltsman Ended Up on the Front Lines in the Battle To Boycott the Olympics". The Tablet. Retrieved 2021-05-11.
  16. ↑ "Belarus authorities crack down on LGBTs as delegates tour U.S." Bay Area Reporter. Retrieved 2021-05-11.
  17. ↑ "A Historic Look Back at Brooklyn's Arterial Atlantic Avenue". Curbed . Retrieved 2021-05-12.
  18. ↑ "Minor Belarusian Emigrant Church Declares Lukashenka 'Anathema'". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty . Retrieved 2021-05-11.
  19. ↑ "How 16 Americans found family, faith and their immigrant roots — generations after their parents left their homelands". Public Radio International . Retrieved 2021-05-11.
  20. ↑ "The Museum of Family History Presents: The Cemetery Project". The Museum of Family History. Retrieved 2021-05-11.
  21. ↑ "Karlin-Stolin Hasidic Dynasty". YIVO . Retrieved 2021-05-11.
  22. ↑ "Former Synagogue List Manhattan" . Retrieved 2021-05-11.
  23. ↑ "A History of the Jews of Mir, Belarus". University of Oregon . Retrieved 2021-05-11.
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